What labels must say
The FTC's rules for gemstone labels.
When a seller has to tell you a stone was treated, what "lab-grown" and "imitation" have to mean, and why "natural" can't go on anything made in a factory.
Treatments
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When sellers must disclose a treatment
Sellers should disclose a gemstone treatment when it isn't permanent, creates special care needs, or significantly affects the stone's value. This mirrors 16 CFR 23.24.
Source: FTC Consumer Advice, Buying Gemstones, Diamonds, and Pearls
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Special care treatments
When a treatment creates special care requirements, the FTC Jewelry Guides say the seller should disclose both that the stone was treated and that it needs special care.
Source: eCFR, 16 CFR 23.24(b)
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Online listings must carry the disclosure
When shoppers can buy without seeing the item in person, such as online, the FTC Guides say the treatment disclosure should appear in the product's listing or description.
Source: eCFR, 16 CFR 23.24, Note
Names and words
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A plain gem name means a mined stone
Using a gem's name with no qualifier, like ruby or jade, is deceptive unless the product is actually a mined stone of that type.
Source: eCFR, 16 CFR 23.25(a)
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Lab-grown, imitation and simulated labels
For a lab-grown, synthetic, imitation or simulated stone, the gem name must be immediately preceded, just as prominently, by a word like laboratory-grown, laboratory-created, imitation or simulated.
Source: eCFR, 16 CFR 23.25(b)
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What synthetic and lab-grown have to mean
Words like laboratory-grown, laboratory-created or synthetic can only be paired with a natural stone's name if the product has essentially the same optical, physical and chemical properties as that stone.
Source: eCFR, 16 CFR 23.25(c)
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What imitation means
Imitation gemstones look like natural stones but are made of other, less expensive materials such as glass or plastic.
Source: FTC Consumer Advice, Buying Gemstones, Diamonds, and Pearls
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Rules on real, genuine and natural
Calling anything manufactured or artificially produced real, genuine, natural, precious or semi-precious is deceptive under the FTC Jewelry Guides.
Source: eCFR, 16 CFR 23.27
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FTC Jewelry Guides (16 CFR Part 23) on eCFR
The full current text of the FTC's guides on gemstone, pearl, and precious metal claims, including treatment disclosure and naming rules.
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AGTA Gemstone Information Manual, 17th edition
Trade reference (August 2026) listing common enhancements for each gem, how stable they are, and special care advice.