Jewelers of America brought a delegation of industry leaders to Washington this week to press lawmakers on two urgent issues: tariffs on diamonds, gemstones, and pearls, and rising retail crime. The annual fly-in gathered 10 jewelers, including retailers, manufacturers, and a representative from the Plumb Club, for meetings with senators and House members, including Sen. Dick Durbin and Rep. Jim Jordan.
The group’s top priority was securing a broad exemption for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls from U.S. tariffs. Current exemptions apply only to imports from the EU, while shipments from India, China, and Canada face higher rates. David Bonaparte, JA’s president and CEO, said progress has been uneven, with exemptions granted on a country-by-country basis. “Our fly-in was imperative as we need for lawmakers in the House and Senate to push the president on exemptions for our industry, regardless of country of origin,” Bonaparte said.
The timing of the push coincided with a House vote approving new sanctions on Russia, including expanded tariff authority for the president to target nations importing Russian oil and gas.
Retail crime emerged as the second major concern. Jewelers advocated for the Combatting Organized Retail Crime Act (CORCA), a bill passed by the House in May that would create a federal coordination center for supply chain and retail theft investigations. The measure now requires Senate approval before becoming law. Attendees stressed its importance to Sen. Susan Collins and Rep. Dave Joyce, who introduced the House version.
During the fly-in, the delegation met with nearly 40 lawmakers from 10 states, including Rep. Harriet Hageman and Rep. Jordan. The group also discussed how organized retail theft has surged in recent years, forcing stores to invest in security at a time when tariffs and metal price swings are already squeezing margins.
While the industry has made incremental gains on tariffs, the lack of a uniform exemption leaves jewelers vulnerable to shifting trade policies. The EU’s exemption for natural pearls, rough, and polished diamonds and gemstones reflects one approach, but India and China, major sources of rough diamonds, remain exposed. Bonaparte’s July meeting with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer highlighted the need for a consistent policy, but without broader legislative action, the risk of tariff hikes persists.
