Treatment Disclosure & Ethics

Introduction

Treatment disclosure is a fundamental ethical and often legal requirement in
the gem trade. Proper disclosure protects consumers, maintains trade integrity,
and ensures fair market pricing. Understanding disclosure standards is essential
for professionals and collectors.

Standards have evolved significantly, with increasing emphasis on transparency.

Why Disclosure Matters

The importance of treatment disclosure:

Consumer Protection

Informed purchasing decisions
Fair value for money paid
Understanding durability implications
Accurate collection documentation

Market Integrity

Fair competition among sellers
Maintains consumer confidence
Supports legitimate trade
Prevents market manipulation

Legal Requirements

FTC guidelines (US)
Consumer protection laws (various jurisdictions)
Industry self-regulation (CIBJO, ICA)
Misrepresentation liability

Disclosure Standards

International and industry standards:

CIBJO Blue Books

Organisation: World Jewellery Confederation
Standards: Comprehensive treatment disclosure rules
Acceptance: Widely adopted industry standard
Updates: Regularly revised for new treatments

ICA Guidelines

Organisation: International Colored Gemstone Association
Focus: Coloured stone specific standards
Coverage: Treatment types and disclosure levels
Enforcement: Member adherence expected

FTC Guidelines (US)

Authority: Federal Trade Commission
Scope: Consumer protection law
Requirement: Material facts must be disclosed
Enforcement: Legal penalties possible

What Must Be Disclosed

Treatments requiring disclosure:

Always Disclose

Treatment	Why Disclosure Essential
Heat treatment	Alters natural characteristics; affects value
Fracture filling (emerald)	May be unstable; affects care/value
Lead glass filling (ruby)	Significant durability concerns
Diffusion treatment	Colour may be surface-only
Irradiation	Colour artificially induced
Coating	Temporary; affects care
Dyeing	Colour not natural; may fade

Disclosure Terminology

"Natural": No treatment of any kind
"Heated": Heat treatment applied
"Oiled/Enhanced": Clarity enhancement (emerald)
"Filled": Fracture/cavity filling
"Diffused": Surface or lattice diffusion
"Treated": General term; specifics should follow

Accepted vs Unaccepted Treatments

Level of Disclosure

How detailed must disclosure be:

At Point of Sale

Written on invoice or receipt
Verbal disclosure insufficient alone
Clear, understandable language
Treatment type and extent if known

In Advertising

Online listings must disclose
Print advertisements must include
Photographs cannot misrepresent
"Natural" claims require accuracy

Documentation

Lab reports recommended for significant purchases
Written guarantees/warranties
Return policies for misrepresentation
Chain of custody where possible

Disclosure Failure Consequences

What happens when disclosure fails:

Legal Consequences

Consumer fraud charges possible
FTC enforcement actions
Civil lawsuits for misrepresentation
Return/refund obligations

Professional Consequences

Industry association sanctions
Loss of professional certifications
Reputation damage
Business relationship termination

Market Consequences

Consumer distrust
Price discovery problems
Legitimate sellers undercut
Long-term market damage

Undisclosed Treatment Warning

Ethical Trade Practices

Beyond minimum disclosure requirements:

Seller Responsibilities

Know your product (due diligence)
Disclose all known treatments
Don't make claims you can't support
Provide appropriate documentation
Honour return policies for misrepresentation

Buyer Responsibilities

Ask questions about treatments
Request documentation
Verify claims independently
Understand what you're buying
Report misrepresentation when found

Industry Responsibilities

Maintain clear standards
Educate members and public
Enforce among members
Adapt to new treatments
Support consumer protection

Origin Disclosure

Geographic origin claims:

When Origin Is Claimed

Must be supportable and accurate
Lab certification recommended for premium claims
"Kashmir," "Burma," "Colombia" add significant value
Misrepresentation is fraud

Terminology Care

"Kashmir-like" vs "Kashmir origin"
"Paraíba-type" vs "Brazilian Paraíba"
Generic descriptions vs specific claims
Lab-certified vs seller opinion

Synthetic & Imitation Disclosure

Non-natural materials:

Synthetics

Must be disclosed: Always, prominently
Terminology: "Lab-grown," "synthetic," "created"
Never acceptable: Selling synthetic as natural
Penalties: Fraud; legal consequences

Simulants

Must be disclosed: Always
Examples: Glass, CZ, doublets, triplets
Terminology: "Imitation," "simulant," specific material
Composite stones: Special disclosure requirements

Special Cases

Situations requiring particular care:

Estate & Antique Jewellery

Original documentation may not exist
Treatments may be unknown
"Sold as is" insufficient alone
Testing recommended before claims

Online Sales

Same disclosure requirements apply
Photography shouldn't misrepresent
Written disclosure in listing
Clear return policies

Auctions

Catalog descriptions bind seller
"As is" limited by consumer law
Lab reports typically required for high values
Buyer has verification period

Emerging Issues

New challenges in disclosure:

New Treatment Detection

Treatments may precede detection methods
Low-temperature heat increasingly undetectable
Need for ongoing research
Lab capability variations

Lab-Grown Diamonds & Gems

Growing production volumes
Detection methods evolving
Clear terminology needed
Consumer education essential

Blockchain & Traceability

Emerging provenance systems
"Mine to market" tracking
Verification challenges remain
Future disclosure standards evolving

Best Practice Summary

Guidelines for ethical gem trade:

Disclose everything: When in doubt, disclose
Put it in writing: Verbal isn't sufficient
Get documentation: Lab reports for valuable items
Know your product: Due diligence on sourcing
Stay current: Standards evolve; education ongoing
Support transparency: Industry and consumer benefit