In a setback for several jewelry associations, the Federal Trade Commission, in ruling released Tuesday, said that there is insufficient evidence to establish that the qualified use of the term "cultured diamonds" is deceptive or unfair when describing lab-created gemstones.

In a setback for several jewelry associations, the Federal Trade Commission, in ruling released Tuesday, said that there is insufficient evidence to establish that the qualified use of the term "cultured diamonds" is deceptive or unfair when describing lab-created gemstones.

About 20 percent of parents nationwide have set aside a portion of their stimulus check for back-to-school purchases, according to a National Retail Federation survey.

Washington, D.C.—The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) rejected a petition from the Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) and nine other trade associations requesting that the commission use its industry guides to crack down on the use of the term "cultured" to describe laboratory-created gemstones.

New York—The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) is extending its 2009 ICA Congress one more day due to a full agenda, the organization announced recently.

London—Celebrity jeweler Stephen Webster has been awarded the U.K. Jewellery Brand of the Year award.

Carlsbad, Calif.—The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) New York Laboratory will offer priority lab services to attendees of the upcoming JA New York trade show.

Randolph, N.J.—LGI Network has developed two new initiatives designed to provide retailers and the industry with timely sell-through information to help them better understand consumer demand for watches and jewelry.

Washington, D.C.—One-fifth of parents nationwide with school-aged children have set aside a portion of their economic-stimulus check for back-to-school purchases this year, according to the latest survey from the National Retail Federation (NRF).