Pony Of Prey Blog

Guides for Retailers

The regulations about marketing pearls are listed in the FTC’s Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries. The guide is very specific about what retailers should call a pearl. Gems that are created when a mollusk is nucleated must be called “cultured pearls.” “Imitation pearls” are any product that is designed to look like a pearl. “Seed pearls” are a small pearl that measures less than 2 mm.

The FTC goes into specifics to help make sure consumers are protected from nuances between the differences in pearls and pearl products. “Cultured” or “cultivated” must always be used to describe cultured pearls.

Imitation pearls must be referred to as “simulated,” “artificial” or “imitation.” Terms like “faux pearl,” “mother of pearl” or “fashion pearl” cannot be used to describe an imitation pearl. The imitations also cannot be referred to as “part-cultured” or any other term that might mislead customers into believing they are cultured pearls. Imitations cannot be described as “real,” “precious” or “genuine.” They also cannot be described as “synthetic.”

More Guidelines

Only saltwater cultured pearls can be referred to as “Oriental pearls.” Any pearl described as South Sea pearls have to be from the areas generally known for that variety. Biwa cultured pearls have to be from lakes or rivers in Japan, but not necessarily Lake Biwa.

Because to be candidates for faceting the pearls have to be perfectly unblemished, perfectly round and thick nacre, the value of faceted pearls is double of a similar-quality pearl. Demand is particularly high in the United States.

Jewelers are required to tell consumers if a pearl product has been treated or dyed if it changes the value of the pearl, the pearl requires special care or if the treatment may not be permanent. That being said, most cultured pearls do undergo some sort of treatment before they hit the retail market.

More Guidelines

When choosing a retailer, consumers should be sure that they are following the FTC guidelines. Check to see if the pearls are referred to as “cultured pearls” Virtually every piece of pearl jewelry today is made from cultured pearls. If the retailer sells imitation pearls as well, be sure they are marked accordingly.

Author: Kevin Canning
Pearls Of Joy is the leading online retailor of pearl necklaces, pearl earrings and black pearls.

Charity is perhaps the best feature of humanity. It is a perfect way to support the downtrodden. There are many types of natural and man-made evils in our society. So, there are variable causes for which the blessed ones can and should donate. Unlike before, nowadays there are numerous charitable institutions across the globes that are working in different areas. The main aim of a charitable organization is to help the people in need and work for their development. For instance helping in the rehabilitation of victims of natural disasters like famines, tsunami, earthquakes etc., working for prisoners of war or any oppressed community, child education, women upliftment and so forth are some different tasks taken up by these organizations. So, charitable organizations can variously be literary, religious, scientific and so forth. These organizations largely rely on government grants and the charities/ donations by the well-to-do section of society in order to function or continue with their respective social service. However, people may have different motives behind donating money in these charitable foundations. While there are those who contribute for the sake of human welfare there are others who do it to earn recognition and save tax. Tax wavier possibly is one of the foremost reasons at the moment that instigates many affluent people, multinational companies, and corporations to give money in these institutions. However, those who donate for the purpose of saving tax should keep in mind that every charity is not tax deductible.

There are basically two types of non-profit organizations.

1. Charitable institutions that are exempted from paying taxes.

2. Institutions to which the donations made are tax-free. Such organizations are registered under the 501 (c)(3) category of the Internal Revenue Service. Once you make a donation to any such organization, get a receipt made as evidence to assist you in tax deduction.

But besides enlisted in the 501 (C)(3) category, several other things about an organization should be considered before making a donation.

• Check the annual report of the organization. Annual report will brief you with the requisite crucial details such as current work, situation, finances etc. of the organization.

• Also take into consideration the institutions aims and means proposed to achieve them.

• Notice the amount of donations the charity receives annually and its sources.

• In case of door- to- door solicitations, prior to parting off with your money, try to wrinkle out the important details (the name, full address, goals, licensing, tax deduction and so forth) of the organization. If that person is unable to present the details, he might be fake, trying to befool people.

Charities can be made in different forms. Giving cash is one way; other ways include giving those items that the constitution requires. For example if the charity is working for rehabilitation of tsunami victims then facilitating it with tents, food stuffs, clothing etc. will be an appropriate rather wonderful charity. Generally people are under the illusion that only large sum of money can be given as charity, but this is not the case like. Donation can be as small as 10 or 20 dollars. The amount does not actually make a difference, what actually matters are your philanthropic feelings and desire to contribute.

Mansi aggarwal writes about charity donations. Learn more at http://www.givingtocharities.com