P.M. BRIEFING : Jeweler Ends S. Africa Gold Use

Britain’s largest jewelry retailer today said it would stop selling jewelry made with South African gold. The decision followed pickets of its stores by anti-apartheid groups.

A spokesman for the company, Ratners PLC, said the move was part of a continuing switch to North American gold supplies.

One anti-apartheid group, End Loans to South Africa, said it has suspended its action against Ratners and is asking other groups to do the same, pending a meeting with Ratners officials.

Ratners said South African gold is found in 2% to 3% of its gold jewelry. It had total sales of $1.6 billion in its fiscal year ended Feb. 3.