Competition Bureau Canada
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Retail Jewelry Business

In October 2003, the Competition Bureau undertook an investigation with regard to a retail jewelry business. The investigation focused specifically on allegations of inflated prices of jewelry made of gold and set with diamonds, as well as information regarding the total weight of the diamonds set on jewelry items.

According to the data compiled, the Bureau had reason to believe that the prices shown on the products did not reflect the prices at which similar products were provided by all the suppliers in the geographic market in question. Section 74.01 of the Competition Act prohibits a person from making a representation to the public that is false or misleading in a material respect.

The Bureau investigation demonstrated the accuracy of the information on the labels and in the advertising of the total weight of the diamonds set on jewelry items sold by the party under investigation.

The investigation was discontinued on October 29, 2005 since the company went bankrupt.

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