GEOGRAPHICAL DISTRIBUTION.

Most of the imitation precious stones used in the United States are imported through the port of New York. The only domestic manufacturers are located in New York City and Providence, R. I.

HISTORY OF THE INDUSTRY.

The use of glass for imitation precious stones was known to the ancient Romans. In recent years the industry has been carried to perfection in France, Switzerland and Bohemia. Domestic manufacturers have never been in a position to compete with the imported product.

DOMESTIC PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION.

The domestic production of imitation gems is negligible as compared with the imports. No production figures are available.

EXPORTS.

Exports are confined to stones of foreign origin contained in exports of domestic jewelry.

FOREIGN PRODUCTION.

France, Switzerland; and Bohemia (Czechoslovakia) produce the bulk of the imitation gems. The foreign products are noted for their brilliance and luster, and perfect workmanship.

IMPORTS.

Imports of imitation gems fluctuate between wide limits. During the period 1910 to 1919 (fiscal years) imports varied from $817,000 in 1916, to $1,545,000 in 1911. The general average was well over $1,100,000. The war caused a reduction in the imports due to the disturbed conditions in France and to the elimination of the Bohemian industry.

TARIFF HISTORY.

Imports of imitation gems were dutiable at 10 per cent ad valorem under the tariff acts of 1883, 1890, and 1894. In 1897 the rate was increased to 20 per cent and had been held at that figure in all acts since that time.

COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS.

Domestic jewelry manufacturers using imitation gems in their product, buy all their stones from importers in New York. The raw material cost is a very small part of the value of the finished stone, labor cost being the chief factor. The same care is given to cutting imitation gems as is expended when cutting precious stones and the success of the foreign industry is due in large part to the experienced labor available for mixing the glass and cutting the product.

TARIFF CONSIDERATIONS.

The value of imitation gems is low, when compared with the value of the genuine article, and high duties would be very little temptation to professional smugglers. The stones are used in jewelry and are therefore luxuries in the same class as parts of jewelry (par. 356).

Imitation precious stones 1-Imports by countries (fiscal years).

1 Included in "Other precious and semiprecious stones, cut, but not set," prior to 1912. a Calendar year.

Diamonds and other precious stones: Imitations of, composed of glass or paste, not exceeding an inch in dimensions, not engraved, painted, or otherwise ornamented or decorated, and not mounted or set---Imports for consumption-Revenue.

Diamonds and other precious and semi-precious stones, and imitation of: Imitation precious stones, including pearls, and parts of, for use in the manufacture of jewelry, doublets, artificial or so-called synthetic or reconstructed pearls, and parts of, rubies, or other precious stones—Imports for consumption—Revenue.

COURT AND TREASURY DECISIONS.

The provision in paragraph 357 of the act of 1913 for "imitation precious stones" may well be related to the first provision in the paragraph for precious stones rather than to the clause in which the word "cameo" appears, and it was not intended to relate to anything other than stones which in their natural state are precious stones. The lexicographic meaning of "cameo" does not depend upon whether the substance of which the completed article is composed is a precious stone or is a shell; it is the product of cutting in a certain form wrought upon either shell or precious stone. The process of conversion of a piece of shell into an article like a cameo can not entitle the completed article to be called in any just sense a precious stone simply because cameos may be, and often are, made of precious stones. Earthenware molded in imitation of cameos is not "imitation precious stones" but earthenware ornamented or decorated or manufactured in chief value of such ware. (Wedgwood v. United States, 7 Ct. Cust. Appls., 434, of 1917.) Molded glass articles accurately cut to represent brilliants were held dutiable

as manufactures of paste under paragraph 95 for large sizes and as imitation precious stones under this paragraph for small sizes. (T. D. 35283, of 1915.) Hatpin tops of glass or paste, although known as imitation precious stones, are not suitable for use in the manufacture of jewelry," as, when completed, the hatpins would not be known as jewelry. (G. A. 7400, T. D. 32883, of 1912.) No limitation as to the size of imitation precious stones is prescribed and such stones exceeding 1 inch in dimensions for jewelry come within paragraph 357. (G. A. 7044, T. D. 30722, of 1910.)

(See also surveys on precious stones and jewelry.)