Laofengxiang jewelry problems alleged

Products of Shanghai's time-honored jewelry brand, Laofengxiang, were found to have quality problems involving their precious metals' content.

Quality watchdogs from several provinces cited problems. In a test carried out by the Shaanxi Province Bureau of Quality and Technical Supervision, a pair of S925 silver earrings were found to contain impurities that exceed the country's standard.

Officials also said that when they tried to take samples for quality testing from the Laofengxiang counter in a department store in Shaanxi's Baoji City, they were refused by the salesperson.

Meanwhile in Shanxi Province, the quality watchdog said it found a type of pendant produced by Laofengxiang that claimed to contain 99.9 percent pure gold actually had a gold content of just 99 percent.

The company said it sent executives to investigate the case and found that the sellers had made mistakes on the pendant's label. Shanghai quality authorities remained silent yesterday.

Founded in Shanghai in 1848, Laofengxiang is one of China's leading jewelry brands.

Last year, several jewelry brands, such as Chow Tai Fook and Chou Sang Sang, were put on authorities' blacklists. Industry insiders said because of booming business, most jewelry companies are casting their net wider for manufacturers and suppliers, sometimes at the expense of quality.

Officials with China Gold Association urge the companies to improve product quality and reimburse consumers.