[Code of Federal Regulations]
[Title 16, Volume 1]
[Revised as of January 1, 2006]
From the U.S. Government Printing Office via GPO Access
[CITE: 16CFR23.11]

[Page 148]
 
                     TITLE 16--COMMERCIAL PRACTICES
 
                   CHAPTER I--FEDERAL TRADE COMMISSION
 
PART 23_GUIDES FOR THE JEWELRY, PRECIOUS METALS, AND PEWTER INDUSTRIES
--Table of Contents
 
Sec. 23.11  Definition and misuse of the word ``diamond.''

    (a) A diamond is a natural mineral consisting essentially of pure 
carbon crystallized in the isometric system. It is found in many colors. 
Its hardness is 10; its specific gravity is approximately 3.52; and it 
has a refractive index of 2.42.
    (b) It is unfair or deceptive to use the unqualified word 
``diamond'' to describe or identify any object or product not meeting 
the requirements specified in the definition of diamond provided above, 
or which, though meeting such requirements, has not been symmetrically 
fashioned with at least seventeen (17) polished facets.

    Note 1 to paragraph (b):
    It is unfair or deceptive to represent, directly or by implication, 
that industrial grade diamonds or other non-jewelry quality diamonds are 
of jewelry quality.

    (c) The following are examples of descriptions that are not 
considered unfair or deceptive:
    (1) The use of the words ``rough diamond'' to describe or designate 
uncut or unfaceted objects or products satisfying the definition of 
diamond provided above; or
    (2) The use of the word ``diamond'' to describe or designate objects 
or products satisfying the definition of diamond but which have not been 
symmetrically fashioned with at least seventeen (17) polished facets 
when in immediate conjunction with the word ``diamond'' there is either 
a disclosure of the number of facets and shape of the diamond or the 
name of a type of diamond that denotes shape and that usually has less 
than seventeen (17) facets (e.g., ``rose diamond'').

    Note 2 to paragraph (c):
    Additional guidance about imitation and laboratory-created diamond 
representations and misuse of words ``gem,'' ``real,'' ``genuine,'' 
``natural,'' etc., are set forth in Sec. Sec. 23.23, 23.24, and 23.25.