A. Authority

1. As provided in R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 6-11.1, the Attorney General is empowered to promulgate regulations to administer the licensing program for previous metals dealers.

B. Purpose

1. The purpose of these rules and regulations is to promote consumer protection for the citizens of Rhode Island by regulating trade in precious metals. Dealers will be required to follow prescribed procedures for identification of sellers and goods sold. Local police departments will be provided with improved opportunities to recover stolen property.

If any portion of these rules and regulations are held invalid, such invalidity shall not affect other provisions or application of these rules and regulations, that can be given effect without the invalid provisions or application and to that end the provisions of these rules and regulations are available.

"Advertise" means the issuance of any card, sign or device to any person; the causing, permitting, or allowing of any sign or marketing on or in any building or structure, or in any newspaper periodical, or in any directory under a listing of precious metals buyers or sellers or related business, or broadcasting by radio or television with or without any limiting qualifications.

"Authority" means the authority of the Attorney General as authorized by R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 6-11.1.

"Business" means the trade in precious metals and stones conducted in a place of business specifically owned or rented for this purpose, except that rented hotel or motel rooms shall not be construed as permanent places of business.

"Complaint" means receipt of standard complaint form by an authorized representative of the Attorney General.

"Criminal record clearance" means review of applicant's name by the Bureau of Criminal Identification ("BCI") of the Department of Attorney General.

"Description" means precise statements of weight, metal content and color, gem size and quality, design or configuration, trademarks or other identifying information useful to law enforcement agencies in recovering stolen property.

"Disqualifying criminal record" means a record of criminal convictions on charges of felony charge of forgery, embezzlement, obtaining money under false pretenses, bribery, larceny, extortion, conspiracy to defraud, receiving stolen goods, burglary, breaking and entering or any similar offense or offenses, or tax evasion associated with the conduct of business.

"Posted prices" means the price offered by dealers at that point and time for purchase of precious metals.

"Weighing" means weighing by scales approved by municipal officials responsible for certification of scales.

"Numismatic value" means value based on published prices in recognized guides to value to collectors of coins or other articles related to rarity or aesthetic merit, not on value of metal content.

"Precious metals" means gold, silver, or platinum metals group: platinum, iridium, palladium, rhodium, and osmium.

"Precious stone" means any gem or stone cut and polished for use in jewelry, which fulfills trade standards for value based on beauty, durability, and rarity.

A. The Attorney General shall make, amend, or repeal such rules and regulations as are necessary to carry out the provisions of the statute for licensing of precious metals and dealers.

B. The Attorney General shall cooperate with other agencies of the state government to provide consumers protection under the statute.

C. The Attorney General shall investigate all complaints by citizens pertaining to sales of precious metals.

Each Dealer shall maintain and operate his/her business from a permanent place of business located in a permanent building or structure, accessible to the public during posted business hours. The place of business must be located within the State of Rhode Island.

A. All branch offices must be operated under the same name as that of the permanent place of business, unless they are separately licensed.

B. The location of all branch offices must be indicated on the license application at the time of license application.

C. New branch offices may be opened by the dealer only with the written approval of the Attorney General.

D. Each branch office must have a copy of the license issued to the dealer prominently posted in a conspicuous place.

A. Dealers changing the name under which they advertise or otherwise do business must reapply for licensing.

B. Dealers changing the location of the principal offices or approved branch offices, but continuing to operate under the same company name, need not reapply for licensing, but must notify the Attorney General within thirty (30) days in advance of commencement of business in the new location.

C. Dealers selling businesses, whether real estate, structures, equipment, or stock cannot transfer license authority to deal in precious metals. Precious metal licenses are not transferrable or assignable.

A. The applicant will pay both the fifty-dollar ($50.00) application fee and fifty-dollar ($50.00) annual license fee at the time of application.

B. In the event of disapproval of a license application, the Attorney General will refund the annual license fee, but retain the application fee for cost of investigation.

C. Applicants withdrawing licensing applications before final approval or disapproval may request refunds of annual license fees. Application fees are not refundable.

A. Dealers in coins purchased for numismatic value, rather than metal content, are exempt from licensing. Prices paid for such precious metal coins must be based on book value of numismatic worth. Purchase of coins for metal content is a violation of the statute and such buyers are subject to prosecution as unlicensed precious metals dealers.

B. Jewelry manufacturers purchasing precious metals directly from trade suppliers are exempt from licensing. Jewelry manufacturers buying previous metals from the general public are subject to licensing.

C. Applications for exemption will be made directly to the Department of Attorney General, Precious Metals Unit, 150 South Main Street, Providence, RI 02903.

A. Applicant names submitted on license applications will be referred to the Bureau of Criminal Identification.

B. Applicants with criminal records will be immediately notified if their records are disqualifying criminal records. Approved applicants will be notified of criminal record clearance.

C. Corporate names will be reviewed by the Corporations Secretary, Secretary of State, for review of names of officers, directors, and major shareholders.

A. Dealers must post prices in conspicuous places. Posted prices must be the basis for purchases of precious metals.

B. Dealers must weigh goods offered in view of seller. Weighing to establish weight of metals offered for sale must be used in conjunction with posted prices to establish price offered by dealer.

C. Dealers must require sellers to complete authorized Attorney General form "Report of Purchase and Identification of Seller" or similar form approved by the Attorney General. In identification of seller, dealers must seek positive form of identification with photograph, date of birth and current address. Purchases from minors must follow procedure covered in § 1.11(J) of this Part.

D. Dealers must clearly describe, or assist sellers in describing, goods offered for sale on all approved Attorney General forms, requiring description of goods. Failure to describe goods in accordance with the requirements set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-11.1-4 will be characterized as a license violation and be cause for revoking of license.

E. Reports to local police department may be made as frequently as dealers find to be convenient in the conduct of their business, but must be done at least on a weekly basis. Record keeping by dealers, as set forth in R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-11.1-4 is required so that local police, Attorney General Investigators, or other authorized agencies may review permanent record of all transactions. The reports may consist of copies of weekly reports filed with the local police.

F. Dealers must retain possession of precious metals for seven (7) days after notification of local police of a particular purchase. The seven-day period begins, with the date the report was received through the mail or facsimile by the Chief of Police or the Attorney General, whichever is later. The seven-day period ends on the opening of business on the seventh calendar day after the date the report was received through the mail or facsimile by the Chief of Police or Attorney General.

G. Dealers must retain goods for the seven-day period in unaltered condition. Goods with identifying trademarks, monograms, or other identifying configurations must be retained in exactly the condition that existed upon receipt by the dealer.

H. Dealers may make agreements to purchase goods from sellers and complete reports to local police based on the intent to purchase. Dealers must retain in their possession the goods and provide the seller with detailed receipts of said goods. At the expiration of the seven-day period following filing of a report to local police of dealer intent to buy specific precious metals, the dealer may complete the sales transaction with the seller, based on posted price at that point in time.

I. All dealers' advertisements must include, as part of the advertisement the dealer's precious metals license number.

J. Any purchase form a minor requires the following procedure: the minor must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian who must present proper identification and cosign the "Report of Purchase and Identification of Seller" form.

A. Attorney General investigators will review dealer compliance with regulations by random review during field visits to dealers' offices.

B. Non-compliance with the provisions of R.I. Gen. Laws § 6-11.1-1, et seq. will be referred to prosecution. Cease and desist orders may be requested to suspend dealer operations not in compliance with these regulations.

C. Evidence of stolen property held by licensed dealers will be recovered by local law enforcement agencies if related to complaints to local police or by State Police if related to complaints to the Attorney General's Office of violations of licensing regulations.

Appeals from a decision by the Attorney General shall be made to the Sixth Division District Court in Providence. Appeals from the decision of the Sixth Division District Court shall be to the Supreme Court in accordance with the Administrative Procedures Act, R.I. Gen. Laws Chapter 42-35, as amended.

A. A sketch drawn by the buyer should supplement difficult descriptions, such as jewelry. In addition to the name and value of the article to be described, include the following:

1. Color and kind of metal

2. Number, kind, color, ring size, and size of stone(s)

3. Weight and unit of measurement of each piece

4. Type of mounting such as filigree, plain, engraved, etc.

5. Type of setting, such as basket, tiffany, box, etc.

6. Inscriptions, dates, engravings, initials, serial numbers, and jeweler's markings

B. Further, when you are describing:

1. Bracelets: Give width, whether link, filigree, solid, flexible, etc.; whether plain, engraved or stone set. State whether safety chain attached and type of clasp.

2. Brooches and Pins: Give size and shape, whether plain, engraved or filigree; whether pin has safety clasp.

3. Earrings: State style, length; whether screw, clasp, or pierced; color stones, etc.

4. Emblems, Charms, Frat Pin, Etc.: Show size shape and name of lodge or club (Masonic, Elks, Eagles, Phi Delta Kappa, Sigma Chi, Nurse, Corporation Service Pins, etc.).

5. Necklaces: Give length: whether 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 strands; whether matched or graduated stones or beads; whether strung or thread or chain (give color and kind); describe clasp.

6. Pendants: Show size, shape strung or chain, ribbon, cord, or thread; give color and type; describe clasp.

7. Rings: State kind of metal and color (yellow gold, white gold, sterling silver, etc.); kind and number of stones (diamond, ruby, etc.); whether plain, engraved, or filigree; ring size, and any jeweler's marks, inscriptions, or initials.

8. Watches: State make (Elgin, Hamilton, Waltham, Rolex, Etc.); movement; case; jewel number; size of watch; type of case; whether plain, engraved, or set with stones. If it has a chain or wrist band attached, describe by giving color, material length, etc.

9. Miscellaneous Articles of Jewelry: Show size, color, shape, stones, description etc.

10. Note: If any of the preceding are sets (ring, pin, necklace, earrings, bracelets, etc.), all matched, so state. State whether estate, antique, or modern type jewelry.