Six inspectors from the Arizona Department of Weights and Measures began checking scales Monday for state licenses and approval from the National Type Evaluation Program, said spokeswoman Dee Ann Deaton.

Of the 62 scales taken out of service from 785 dealers, five were confiscated because they had manufacturer labels that stated "Not legal for trade," meaning they could not be used to measure items for sale.

Still, it's an improvement from last year, Deaton said, when some vendors were using bathroom and baby scales.

Deaton said checking scales is important because it guarantees accuracy between vendors and reassures customers. Illegal scales are a misdemeanor offense in Arizona.

Deaton said her department is encouraged by the number of vendors who pre-licensed their scales for this year's shows, especially considering the poor numbers in 2000, when the state began regulating the scales and 95 percent were noncompliant.

In 2001, 230 vendors pre-registered. Still, 257 scales were tagged that year as noncompliant, and 13 were confiscated. This year, 540 vendors got licenses early.

Anyone who believes an illegal scale is being used at the gem shows should contact the Department of Weights and Measures. Go to www.weights.az.gov. or call 1-800-277-6675.