Chiesa
WAYNE, N.J. (Legal Newsline) - New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa announced 171 state civil complaints and 30 municipal code violations on Tuesdays against 12 jewelers that allegedly violated state laws.
The complaints come as a result of Operation Going for Gold, which saw the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs, the State Office of Weights and Measures, the Wayne Police Department and the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office look into the practices of area jewelers.
The jewelers named in the complaints include Bayar Jewelers, D'Malke Jewelers, Gallo Jewelry, Jewelry by Eric, Jewelry by Jakup, Jewelry by Marcus, Kemerli Millenium International, M.A. Jewelers, Obsession Diamonds, Pink Diamond, Six Stars Jewelers and Verdi Jewelry.
Each state violation could result in a maximum $500 penalty and each municipal code violation could lead to a $2,000 penalty and 90 days of community service or jail.
"When consumers choose to part with their jewelry in exchange for cash, it is often a difficult decision made during hard economic times," Chiesa said. "Our laws protect those consumers, by helping to ensure transparency by jewelers who price, weigh, and evaluate the precious metals brought in by individuals seeking to sell them. Jewelers who fail to comply with these laws will be held accountable."
Officers involved in the operation purchased jewelry from jewelers in Wayne Township and observed whether or not the jewelers followed municipal ordinances and state laws on the selling and buying of precious metals.
New Jersey law requires that jewelry buyers must weigh precious metals and test their fineness in view of the seller. The buyer must also use an Office of Weights and Measures certified scale and post a sign clearly showing the prices offered by fineness and weight. Jewelry buyers must obtain identification proof from the seller and must create a serialized receipt with personal information to prevent the sale of stolen jewelry. Buyers are required to give the seller a copy of the receipt and keep another copy on file. Buyers must also retain precious metals in the form they were purchased in for no less than two business days.