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Tiffany Stevens, the new CEO & President of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee shares her insights on several legal issues facing jewelers and the jewelry trade in this week’s episode.
Money laundering, intellectual copyright protection, and what it means to say, “Made in the USA” are just a few of the topics we discuss.
Clickable Show Notes
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Question #1 – First off, congratulations on the appointment to such a vital, and important position in the jewelry trade. With so many career options available to you, the obvious question is, why take on the daunting task of CEO & President of Jewelers Vigilance Committee? Timestamp: [4:51]
Question #2 – While the Jewelers Vigilance Committee has been serving the jewelry industry since the early 1900s, there might be some in our global audience that is not as familiar as they would like with the overall mission and the various nuances of your association. Can you give us an overview of JVC and the crucial role it plays in today’s jewelry industry? Timestamp: [6:08]
Question #3 – I’d venture to say that many in the jewelry industry don’t realize that JVC is actually a not-for-profit trade association. In today’s legal world how is that even feasible financially? And as a follow-up, how do you find the resources needed to undertake the Committee’s mission while also educating the jewelry industry on the many services you provide? Timestamp: [8:15]
Question #4 – In my opinion, every jewelry store owner, jewelry manufacturer, and gold buyer needs to be a member of JVC. Can you take a few minutes and talk about the tangible benefits of membership to JVC and the ancillary benefits a healthy, well supported Jewelers Vigilance Committee provides for all of us? Timestamp: [10:04]
Question #5 – With regards to compliance, we could easily do several episodes on the various Federal and State laws that jewelers should stay on top of. But there was one that I was hoping you could touch on briefly. It’s the Federal Trade Commission’s “Anti Money Laundering (ALM) law. Timestamp: [12:42]
Question #6 – JVC has several important publications it’s put together for the Trade. One of which is, “I’ve Got an Idea! JVC’s Guide to Intellectual Property Law.” With so many jewelers now having access to powerful, easy to use CAD design programs, is there a greater risk today of violating copyright laws? And if so, what advice can you give jewelers about intellectual property laws? Timestamp: [14:09]
Question #7 – In 2016, JVC releases “A Guide to Quality Assurance and Control.” The guide provides “simple and useable” tools to implement quality-assurance programs. It aims to increases awareness of elements that jewelers should address to assure they are following the required standards. In essence, “All sellers at every level down to the retailer are responsible for the products they sell.” In your opinion, is the U.S. jewelry industry, as a whole, where it should be in terms of compliance, and more specifically, what can the independent jewelry store owner do to be in compliance? Timestamp: [16:12]
Question #8 – The emphasis for many jewelers is in developing online selling platforms for their products. The JVC published a “Guide to Selling Jewelry in the 21st Century.” to protect jewelers whether retail or wholesale by understanding some basic legal principles. The Guide is packed from start to finish with so much valuable information, but could you share some of the highlights today with our listeners. Timestamp: [18:50]
Question #9 – If there was one message, one final group of thoughts you want the U.S. jewelry industry as a whole to take away from our discussion about the Jewelers Vigilance Committee? Timestamp: [20:00]
Question #10 – We covered a lot of ground today but is there one question that I should have asked you, but didn’t? Timestamp: [21:04]
What You Need To Know About Tiffany Stevens:
JVC announced the appointment of Tiffany Stevens as the new President and CEO of the JVC. She succeeds the current President and CEO Cecilia Gardner who served in this position for 18 years.
Ms. Stevens recently served as the Chief Operating Officer at the Sohn Conference Foundation, a foundation that funds pediatric cancer research and medical fellowships. She has previously held leadership roles at nonprofits and foundations focused on the environment, education, and the arts. After graduating from New York University School of Law, she began her career as a lawyer at Paul Hastings, then moved to an in-house role at Bear Stearns. She is currently an active Board member of several not for profit organizations.
Connect With Jewelers Vigilance Committee:
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Mentioned In The Show & Links
Jewelers Vigilance Committee: The same goals that started the Jewelers Vigilance Committee a hundred years ago, still guide it today. They educate and protect all levels of the jewelry industry against liability, litigation, and stop negative publicity. The JVC is a not-for-profit legal trade association whose mission is to ensure the highest ethical standards are maintained in the jewelry industry. The JVC is considered the industry’s watchdog for ethics and integrity and provides resources and assistance for the jewelry industry as a whole. They even act as industry representatives before the government.
How JVC Serves the Jewelry Trade: JVC is the sole legal compliance expert in the jewelry industry, established to educate and protect all levels of the jewelry industry against liability, litigation and to stop negative publicity. JVC is considered the industry’s leading authority on legal compliance and is a champion of safeguarding the industry’s integrity. JVC educates the Trade to understand complex regulatory and compliance rules governing all phases of manufacturing, stamping, marketing, and sale of fine jewelry – helping to make the jewelry marketplace more profitable and safer for everyone. Both regulatory government agencies that oversee how we do business and the industry rely on JVC for guidance on legal compliance.
Anti-Money Laundering DVD: How to comply with the rules.
JVC Publications: Essential Guide to Quality Assurance and Control, Guide to Intellectual Property Law, Guide to Selling Jewelry in the 21st Century
Consumer Mediation: Most jewelry buying experiences are pleasant ones and lead to a long-lasting relationship between the buyer and the seller. However, from time to time, there are questions or problems that might arise. Should difficulties arise after the sale is completed, your first step should be to contact the jeweler and make the jeweler aware of the problem. It that proves fruitless and you feel outside intervention is necessary, you may contact the JVC for assistance.
Our “Inside the Jewelry Trade” Radio Show Episodes
The host of “Inside the Jewelry Trade” Radio Show – Jewelry Business Strategist – President of Four Grainer LLC. Author of the business books “A Reason To Chant,” and “A Reason to Chant – Jewelry Trade Edition.” Rod lives in Atlanta with his wife and two almost-human cats.