The Consumer Council of Fiji is actively investigating a troubling complaint pertaining to the misrepresentation in the sale of gold jewelry, raising concerns about the ethical practices within the jewelry industry.
The complaint originates from a resident of the United States who paid $2835 for a 22ct gold set to a jeweler in Nausori. However, upon seeking an appraisal from a jeweler upon her return to the US, the buyer discovered a significant discrepancy. The gold set, purportedly 22ct, was found to be comprised of earrings with a gold content of 12.27ct and a necklace with 13.23ct.
Seema Shandil, Chief Executive of the Consumer Council, expressed serious reservations about the integrity of the jewelry industry in light of this revelation. Shandil emphasized that such misrepresentation not only raises ethical concerns but is also deemed illegal.
The Consumer Council condemns these misleading practices and, in response, urges consumers to exercise caution when purchasing gold jewelry. Shandil advises consumers to locally test their gold if any doubts arise regarding its authenticity. Furthermore, she calls upon all jewelers to provide guarantee documents and exhibit engravings on gold jewelry to consumers before finalizing a purchase.
This incident underscores the importance of vigilance in the consumer’s approach to buying gold jewelry and emphasizes the need for transparency and adherence to ethical standards within the jewelry industry. The Consumer Council of Fiji remains committed to ensuring consumer rights are protected and will rigorously investigate any reports of misrepresentation in the marketplace.
