Policies & Issues

JA Fly-In to DC Focuses on Russian Diamonds, Retail Crime

Policies & IssuesSep 30, 2024

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.

Jewelers of America Fly-In
Jewelers of America leadership, including President and CEO David J. Bonaparte (center), and members met with lawmakers in Washington, D.C., on Sept. 18 to talk about issues that are impacting the jewelry industry.
New York—Jewelers of America headed back to Capitol Hill earlier this month for its annual fly-in.

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.

Jewelers of America fly-in
JA leadership and members headed to Washington, D.C. for the annual fly-in, led by the Jewelers of America Political Action Committee.


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.”

 Related stories will be right here … 

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

Gold jewelry boxes with Lux Bond & Green logo
IndependentsJan 16, 2025
Lux Bond & Green to Open Sixth Location

The 127-year-old jeweler is planning to open a new store in Mystic, Connecticut.

Timex National Park Collection
WatchesJan 16, 2025
Timex Launches Collection of National Park Watches

The watches’ dials feature artwork celebrating the vibrant energy and unique landscapes of six of America’s national parks.

Elizabeth Taylor diamond line bracelet
AuctionsJan 16, 2025
Elizabeth Taylor’s Diamond Line Bracelet Going up for Auction

Offered by U.K. auction house Woolley & Wallis, the yellow diamond bracelet was a gift from Taylor’s good friend Michael Jackson.

Resolutions - 2025.jpg
Brought to you by
3 New Year’s Resolutions for Jewelry Lovers

The new year feels like a clean slate, inspiring reflection, hope, and the motivation to become better versions of ourselves.

JCK open registration graphic
Events & AwardsJan 16, 2025
JCK Las Vegas 2025 Open for Registration

The jewelry trade show returns to The Venetian Expo and The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas from June 6 to 9.

Weekly QuizJan 16, 2025
This Week’s Quiz
Test your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Take the Quiz
Iris Apfel
EditorsJan 15, 2025
The Jewelry I’d Bid On in Christie’s Iris Apfel Auction

Associate Editor Natalie Francisco highlights her favorite fashion jewelry pieces from the upcoming “Unapologetically Iris” auction.

Macy’s Herald Square New York City store
MajorsJan 15, 2025
Macy’s to Close 66 Stores as Part of Turnaround Strategy

The closures are part of the retailer’s plan to close 150 locations over a three-year period.

ride_or_die_1872x1052.png
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Celebrates "Forever Present" Holiday Campaign

A Diamond is Forever hosted a holiday celebration in honor of their new marketing campaign, ‘Forever Present.’

Jose Hess Design Award Trophy
Events & AwardsJan 15, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Open for Submissions

The awards honor the late Jose Hess, a founding member of AJDC and an award-winning jewelry designer.

Susan Jacques
GradingJan 14, 2025
GIA CEO, President Susan Jacques to Retire at the End of 2025

The grading lab said the search for her successor is underway.

Jewelry designer and National Jeweler guest columnist Jules Kim
ColumnistsJan 14, 2025
Jules Kim: Building Bridges Between Creators and Industry

In this special op-ed, designer Jules Kim calls on big brands to collaborate with independent creators instead of copying their designs.

Henry A. Hänni
GradingJan 14, 2025
Former SSEF Director Henry A. Hänni Dies

A pioneering figure in gemology, he is remembered for his spirit of generosity, curiosity, and joy.

Woman wearing rings on both hands
FinancialsJan 14, 2025
Signet Jewelers Lowers Q4 Guidance After Holiday Sales Fall Short

The peak selling days leading up to Christmas did not meet the jewelry retailer’s expectations.

Edouard Schneider
MajorsJan 14, 2025
Edouard Schneider Joins Messika as Chief Brand Officer

Schneider brings over 20 years of luxury and fashion industry experience to his role as a key member of the brand’s global leadership team.

Gemfields emeralds
SourcingJan 13, 2025
Zambia Reinstates 15% Export Duty on Precious Gemstones, Shocking Gemfields

Gemfields said the Zambian government revoked the 2019 suspension of the tax with no warning.

Woman’s silhouette with smart ring on finger
TechnologyJan 13, 2025
Ultrahuman Unveils Luxury Smart Ring

With versions in 18-karat gold and platinum, the wearables company is blending health technology and fine jewelry.

Brandee Dallow
Policies & IssuesJan 13, 2025
Brandee Dallow Elected President of Ethical Metalsmiths

The executive brings more than two decades of industry experience to the role.

Camille Zarsky and curated necklaces
IndependentsJan 13, 2025
The Seven Pops Up in Palm Beach

The New York City-based retailer is bringing its curation of jewels to a pop-up shop at Love Binetti in Palm Beach, Florida.

Jewelers Relief Fund logo
Policies & IssuesJan 10, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires

Created by JA and DCA, the fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.

Elsa Jin Mozi Brooch
TrendsJan 10, 2025
Piece of the Week: Elsa Jin’s ‘Mozi’ Brooch

Adrien Brody received his first Golden Globe while wearing the “Mozi” brooch, which depicts a spill of traditional Chinese calligraphy ink.

Paul Rowley, Sandrine Conseiller, Vipul Shah, and Kirit Bhansali
SourcingJan 10, 2025
De Beers, GJEPC Partner to Promote Natural Diamonds

The pair will work together to support independent retailers in India with marketing assets, training materials, and other tools.

Counterfeit Tiffany & Co. jewelry near U.S. Customs and Border Protection logo
CrimeJan 09, 2025
US Customs Seizes Counterfeit Tiffany & Co. Jewels

Officers in Champlain, New York valued the jewels, if genuine, at nearly $30,000.

Karma El Khalil Meteor Necklace
CollectionsJan 09, 2025
Karma El Khalil’s New Collection is an Ode to the Moon

The “Moonlight Rhapsody” collection is overflowing with gemstones, from raw opal to morganite and spessartite.

AGTA Seminar Series
Events & AwardsJan 09, 2025
Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational Lineup

The seminar series covers topics from market trends and colored stone terminology to working with museums and growing an Instagram profile.

Diamond Trails Reena Ahluwalia
SourcingJan 09, 2025
Reena Ahluwalia Unveils New Works in ‘Diamond Trails’ Anthology

The artist collaborated with industry creatives on the project, which features five fictional stories and five corresponding paintings.

Virginia Jewelers at the Children’s Hospital Foundation Ball
IndependentsJan 09, 2025
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $26K for Children’s Hospital at Charity Ball

Nine jewelers donated jewels for a raffle to support the Children’s Hospital Foundation at Virginia Commonwealth University.

Miss Piggy taking a selfie
WatchesJan 08, 2025
Oris Debuts Hot Pink Miss Piggy Watch

Miss Piggy shared her thoughts on being fabulous, the importance of accessories, and how to be your own cheerleader.

×

This site uses cookies to give you the best online experience. By continuing to use & browse this site, we assume you agree to our Privacy Policy