According to a report by the European Fine Jewellery Confederation (EFJ), in 2022, approximately 35% made of gold filled composite products offered on the European market did not meet quality requirements. These included products with added nickel or other metals that can cause allergies, as well as products with an unsightly appearance. Our market research shows that gold filled composite products offered on the European product sales and did not meet quality requirements are much higher, it is around 70 percent.
It is worrying that market research results show that over 50% made of gold filled composite jewellery and semi-finished products sold in Europe do not meet quality standards and/or are counterfeit. A large amount of jewellery products sold on the market is illegally marked with the registered trademark 14k gf® or the brand name Gold GF®/Gold GFTM , and/or is used in promotions and advertising. Using the registered trademark 14k gf® or the brand name Gold GF®/Gold GFTM without the owner’s consent is a violation of intellectual property rights.
Counterfeiting jewellery is not just a moral issue. It can also have serious consequences for the health and safety of consumers.
Jewellery that does not meet quality standards can also be harmful to health because it may be made of low-quality materials that can easily break, chip or rust. These materials can cause skin irritation and even wounds. This jewellery may contain harmful substances, such as heavy metals such as mercury, lead or cadmium. These substances can enter the body through the skin and cause a variety of health problems, including:
- Allergies
- Nervous system problems
- Reproductive system problems
- Respiratory system problems
- Digestive system problems
This situation is a challenge for the managers of the 14k gf® and Gold GF®/Gold GFTM brands in terms of regulating the market and replacing counterfeit and poor quality products with legal ones. Eliminating jewellery from the European market that poses a health risk will be one of the missions for the managers of the 14k gf® and Gold GF® trademarks.
Counterfeit and substandard gold filled products are often sold at bazaars or online. Their price is much lower than the price of original products, which can be tempting for consumers. However, buying such products can have serious consequences.
Firstly, these products may not meet quality requirements. This means that they may contain less gold than the manufacturer declares, and they may also be made of materials that can cause allergies or other health problems.
Secondly, buying counterfeits can be a violation of intellectual property rights. Manufacturers of original gold filled products protect their products with copyrights and trademarks. Selling counterfeits of these products is illegal and may result in penalties.
Recommendations for consumers:
- Buy gold filled jewellery only from trusted sources, such as authorised retailers or reputable online stores.
- Pay attention to the price. If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is.
- Look for the 14k gf® trademark or the Gold GF®/Gold GFTM brand name on the product.
- If you are unsure about the authenticity of a product, contact the manufacturer or the brand owner.
By following these recommendations, consumers can help to protect themselves from counterfeit and substandard