Scott Kay Eats Crow on Tungsten Allegations

By Paul Pannone

A story that dates back to 2009 involving allegations by Scott Kay against tungsten carbide wedding bands is shifting back into the favor of Frederick Goldman, Inc. The company is one of the largest manufacturers of bridal, wedding and men’s jewelry in North America and was accused of having faulty products that cracked, broke and left consumers without “the ring” they wore on their wedding day.

Scott Kay’s crusade against Tungsten wedding bands is all but over, according to the FTC.

The story originally began when a survey by The Wedding Report said alternative wedding rings at lower cost were becoming sought after because of the higher cost of materials and a tanking economy. The survey conducted in 2009 suggested brides and grooms were cutting back on spending after the troublesome economic conditions and series of housing and financial troubles that occurred in 2008.

A story we did included interviews and information supplied by Scott Kay alleging the tungsten product did not perform to “forever” expectations. Attempts to interview Frederick Goldman were unsuccessful and a very aggressive– even impressive– argument given by Scott Kay, including it’s owner, all but convinced the public that Tungsten required Viagra.

Scott Kay went on a crusade against Tungsten wedding rings but a recent finding by the FTC said the following:

“Scott Kay has agreed not to make express or implied claims that Tungsten Carbide wedding bands are fragile and to refrain from making unsubstantiated claims about the environmental impact of the manufacturing process for their Cobalt rings.

Earlier this year,Scott Kay, Inc. was investigated by the National Advertising Division of the Council of the Better Business Bureaus (“NAD”) and asked to substantiate questionable claims regarding Tungsten Carbide rings. Scott refused to participate with NAD in their investigation to determine the truthfulness in their advertising and promotional activities.

As a result of Scott Kay’s refusal to participate with NAD, the investigation was immediately elevated to the Federal Trade Commission (“FTC”) for possible violations of Section 5 of the Federal Trade Commission act, 15. U.S.C. § 45.  The claims at issue included representations implying Tungsten Carbide wedding bands are at risk of breaking, cracking or shattering in ordinary use as well as a claim that the manufacturing process for Scott Kay’s Cobalt wedding bands is completely green from start to finish.

Based on Scott Kay’s agreement to 1) ensure the company will not make express or implied claims that Tungsten Carbide wedding bands are fragile and 2) refrain from making unsubstantiated claims about the environmental impact of the manufacturing process for Cobalt rings, the FTC has decided to close their investigation, although the commission reserves the right to take further action as the public interest may require.

Tungsten Carbide has become one of the most popular contemporary metals used in wedding bands.  As one of the hardest materials used in the manufacture of rings, behind a diamond on the Mohs Scale of mineral hardness, Tungsten Carbide is also the most scratch-resistant metal on the jewelry ring market.  Tungsten Carbide rings are protected by eight patents.”

 Calls to both Frederick Goldman and Scott Kay have so far not been returned. Our own eWedNewz independent investigation continues.

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