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History of Connecticut Jewelers Association
The Connecticut Jewelers Association (CJA) is a state affiliate of The Jewelers of America (JA). CJA is recognized as a leader and one of the strongest state affiliates in JA.
The Connecticut Jewelers Association serves as the retail jewelry industry's primary trade and professional association in Connecticut. Founded in 1949, it now consists of about 200 members who can accomplish more together than any single jeweler can alone.
CJA's purpose is to promote the general welfare, standing and prosperity of the jewelry industry. It is governed by officers and a board of directors elected for a one year term by the membership.
In our early years in addition to our state jewelers association we also had local associations. In his message to the 1955 convention then president Howard I. Michaels of Michaels Jewelers wrote;
"I wish to mention just a note about our drive for better grass roots organization. Some progress has been made! We are grateful for the existence of strong city associations in Bridgeport, Hartford, Middletown and New Haven, and for the efforts of those jewelers who gave generously of their time to build them.
However, the job to organize from state boundary to state boundary is not yet complete, and I strongly urge all local jewelers to join in formal association. To be strong, our industry needs all of you.
It's up you to give us the powerful voice we so desperately need on federal, state and local legislative levels."
We became incorporated as an association in 1971 and registered with the Connecticut Secretary of State's Office. In 1972 we received our federal tax exemption letter that we are exempt from federal income tax under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code Section (501) (C) (6).
Throughout the years the Connecticut Jewelers Association has been especially active in the area of state legislation and regulations and we have accomplished a great deal.
During the 1970's we won a dramatic victory on the state level in defeating a bill proposing a 10% excise tax on jewelry, furs, leather goods and cosmetics. This extremely burdensome tax would have been disastrous to our members if enacted.
In the 1980's we became very active in seeking tighter state regulation of jewelry advertising. We wanted to end "60-70% off" jewelry sales and to control deceptive pricing. Then CJA president Michael Rosenthal of Savitt Jewelers, New Haven stated;
"Connecticut has made a major breakthrough. We applaud the Department of Consumer Protection for its strong stand on this most important issue in favor of much needed regulation on off price retailing."
It took many steps over a period of two years and three months for the Comparison Price Advertising Regulation to be adopted in Connecticut.
We began our fight to end off price retailing in Connecticut in November of 1983 with a meeting with then Consumer Protection Commissioner Mary Heslin. The regulation finally went into effect in February 1986.
Connecticut became a leading state in adopting this regulation to control deceptive pricing and the Connecticut Jewelers Association became a recognized leader in the field.
Every December our Board designed advertising pieces that were published state wide in the Hartford Courant on the topics of "Truth in Pricing" and "What You Should Know about Jewelry Discounts".
In the 1995 session CJA helped kill SB961 in the Judiciary Committee. This bill concerning the Licensing of Pawn Brokers, Precious Metal Dealers and Dealers in Second Hand Goods ended the worst threat to our industry in several years in the state legislature. The bill would have created a hardship for our members.
In the 2001 legislature CJA helped kill in the General Law Committee HB 5584 Dealers of Second Hand Merchandise and Precious Metals and SB 1324 Concerning Written Estimates for Repair Work. Both of these were dangerous bills.
In the 2005 legislature a bill passed and was signed into law concerning the Expiration of Gift Cards which is beneficial to our retail jewelers.
CJA continues to monitor legislation at the state capitol and works with the Jewelers of America on any legislative issues on the national level.
In another area, CJA for many years has presented outstanding educational sessions both at our convention and throughout the year to help our members run their business successfully. We have a long tradition of presenting outstanding seminars by leading jewelry experts who make attending these sessions rewarding experiences.
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