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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 11, 2014 14:14:27 GMT -5
I've heard differing opinions. What do y'all think? Is using a .925 stamp legally sufficient or do you need an assay stamp or something with it?
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,773
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 11, 2014 16:10:57 GMT -5
Tela, the National Gold and Silver Marking Act does not require a maker to indicate quality. But if one chooses to quality-mark products, then they must also carry the registered trademark stamp of the maker. The reasoning is that buyers are then able to hold manufacturers responsible for the accuracy of the stamping. Obviously this is meant for large-scale manufacturers but it applies to all makers of whatever size if enforced strictly. I've been making jewelry and working in the field for many years and I've never heard of an art jeweler being prosecuted under this law. I recall a very large Los Angeles settings manufacturer and several smaller retailers being prosecuted for under-karating gold. But complying with the law is simple and using a Trademark stamp adds a very professional touch. Here's my source for the above: www.stuller.com/articles/view/national-gold-and-silver-marking-act/Rick
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 11, 2014 16:26:29 GMT -5
Tela, the National Gold and Silver Marking Act does not require a maker to indicate quality. But if one chooses to quality-mark products, then they must also carry the registered trademark stamp of the maker. The reasoning is that buyers are then able to hold manufacturers responsible for the accuracy of the stamping. Obviously this is meant for large-scale manufacturers but it applies to all makers of whatever size if enforced strictly. I've been making jewelry and working in the field for many years and I've never heard of an art jeweler being prosecuted under this law. I recall a very large Los Angeles settings manufacturer and several smaller retailers being prosecuted for under-karating gold. But complying with the law is simple and using a Trademark stamp adds a very professional touch. Here's my source for the above: www.stuller.com/articles/view/national-gold-and-silver-marking-act/Rick Very good, thank you. Sounds rather convoluted just to be able to mark it .925. Guess I need to now look up trademarks. Why does everything have to be difficult? (rhetorical)
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Post by 1dave on Jan 11, 2014 20:20:47 GMT -5
How times have changed.
Back 50 years ago we just stamped Sterling SS and everyone was happy.
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gemfeller
Cave Dweller
Member since June 2011
Posts: 3,773
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Post by gemfeller on Jan 11, 2014 20:57:31 GMT -5
Dave, the Marking Act came into being in 1906 -- many more than 50 years ago. As I mentioned in my original post I've never heard of any small-time art jewelers being prosecuted for not using trademarks. They're looking for big-time violators. I've quality-marked all my metals, both gold and silver, for years with no trademark and will stand behind the metal purity 100%. But Tela wanted to know the law and that's it.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 12, 2014 12:48:07 GMT -5
I got a few videos from Lexi Erickson. She talks about stamping her work with her name and the metal and does not discuss the law. I got the distinct impression that it wasn't something most of us would need to be worried it-- just as Rick stated.
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Deleted
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Member since January 1970
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2014 12:27:53 GMT -5
I love the idea of having a makers mark. Tela your stylized "T ela" in your logo could be made into a little metal marking stamp. Here is a company that does it for many industries. Some of the custom knife guys use them. www.infinitystamps.com/My feeling is this will make anyone a mark above most makers. Adds a sense of professionalism and commitment to the craft. Not that you aren't pro and committed, this simply proves it to anyone looking.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 14, 2014 13:27:53 GMT -5
Thanks for the link @shotgunner I actually would like to get a stamp and I was thinking the same as you with Tela. I always wanted to mark my wirework somehow, but it proved to be a problem. I didn't want a tag hanging off it.
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jan 14, 2014 15:55:11 GMT -5
I dunno how to mark the wire work. But the soldered stuff will be easy peasy.
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Post by rockjunquie on Jan 15, 2014 14:15:26 GMT -5
I dunno how to mark the wire work. But the soldered stuff will be easy peasy. I'm pretty sure Krista tags hers. At least she was discussing a while back. I used to include a care card with all my pieces. They all had a title, too. Each card would have the title, a picture of the piece and care instructions. It got to be too much trouble and I stopped doing it. DH thinks I should start doing it again. Maybe on my silver smith pieces I will.
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