JA Fly-In to DC Focuses on Russian Diamonds, Retail Crime
Jewelers of America leadership and members recently headed to D.C. to share the industry’s top concerns with lawmakers.

Led by the Jewelers of America Political Action Committee, JA leadership and members met with lawmakers on Sept. 18 to talk about what has been impacting the jewelry industry.
The top concern was the implementation of Russian diamond restrictions across G7 nations, which includes the U.S.
JA said it has repeatedly asked lawmakers to push back against the European Union’s proposal for the adoption of an exclusive physical verification and certification system in Belgium for all rough diamonds.
“Such a system would cause maximum damage to the global diamond and jewelry supply chain, while having minimal effect on Russia’s diamond revenues,” said JA in a statement.
JA President and CEO David J. Bonaparte said “This trip to Washington D.C. continued our essential representation for Jewelers of America, our members, and the United States jewelry industry.
“Jewelers of America members made it clear they do not want Russian diamonds in their inventories, but they also don’t want solutions that cause unnecessary disruptions to the U.S. diamond industry.”
Fly-in attendees met with more than two dozen members of Congress during the visit, said JA, including a senior Republican member who said they would share the industry’s concerns on the Hill.

Two other hot topics were retail crime and credit card swipe fees.
The group met with Rep. Young Kim (R, CA-40), who introduced the Organized Retail Crime Act, to discuss retail crime levels.
The act aims to facilitate coordination and information sharing among federal law enforcement agencies.
Amina Sorel of New York City-based Amina Sorel Fine Jewelry was a first-time fly-in attendee.
“Our conversations focused on maintaining a supportive economic environment for jewelers, protecting the integrity of our diamond supply, and ensuring that safety measures are in place to combat retail crime,” she said in a statement.
“It’s clear that when we come together as an industry, we can advocate effectively for policies that benefit not just our businesses, but our communities as well.”
Sorel was joined by her chief financial officer, Leslie Sorel, and a number of other JA members, including:
Brian Alter, Alter’s Gem Jewelry in Beaumont, Texas;
Lawrence Bock, Bachendorf's in Dallas;
Jon Bridge, Ben Bridge Jeweler in Seattle;
Linus Drogs, Au Enterprises, Inc. in Beverly Hills, Michigan;
Susan Eisen and Ron Wolff, Susan Eisen Fine Jewelry Watches Art & Appraiser in El Paso, Texas;
Bill Farmer Jr., Farmer’s Jewelers in Lexington, Kentucky;
Rebecca Foerster, Hearts on Fire in Boston;
Susan Grant, Grants Jewelry in New York;
Elise Greenberg, Greenberg's Jewelers in Sioux City, Iowa;
Myriam Gumuchian, Gumuchian in New York; and
Constance Polamalu, Zachary's Jewelers in Annapolis, Maryland.
The delegation was led by Bonaparte, JA’s Chief Financial Officer Annie Doresca, and Public Affairs and Education Director Susan Thea Posnock.
The event was spearheaded by Tim Haake, managing director of Haake & Associates, JA’s long-term government affairs firm.
Other industry members joined the group, including John W. Ford, CEO of the American Gem Trade Association; Jackie Mecca, senior vice president and general manager of luxury markets at Synchrony; and Matthew Swibel, vice president of sustainability and social impact at Signet Jewelers.
JA also held its Multifaceted Learning Workshop, which includes education sessions and networking, the day before the fly-in.
The next workshop will take place in New York City on Oct. 29.
The Latest

At Converge 2025, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff attended sessions on DEI, tariffs, security, and more. Here are her top takeaways.

Six people were shot last week at an Oakland cash-for-gold shop as employees exchanged gunfire with individuals trying to rob the store.

The jeweler has expanded its high jewelry offering, which launched last year, with new pieces featuring its cube motif that debuted in 1999.

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

Ben Bridge Jeweler and Lux Bond & Green were a part of the pilot program.


Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares eight of her favorite jewelry looks from the 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, held Sunday night.

It’s predicting a rise in retail sales this holiday season despite economic uncertainty and elevated inflation.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

It included the sale of the 11,685-carat “Imboo” emerald that was recently discovered at Kagem.

The newly elected directors will officially take office in February 2026 and will be introduced at the organization’s membership meeting.

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.

Fordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.

Gilbertson has worked as a researcher, jeweler, lapidary artist, appraiser, and business owner throughout his decades in the industry.

Located in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.

The new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.

As the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.

Jacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.

Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.

The Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.

Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.

The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.

The industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.

The nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.

The Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.

The two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.

The single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.

From sunrise yoga to tariffs talks, these are some events to check out at the upcoming inaugural event.