Policies & IssuesFeb 26, 2025
EU Once Again Pushes Back Deadline on Diamond Traceability Policies & IssuesMar 03, 2025
Customs Indefinitely Postpones Requirement to Disclose Country of Mining
Originally slated to take effect in April, official U.S. Customs and Border Protection documents now show the implementation date as “TBD.”
U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced last month that companies importing diamonds into the country must list the country in which the diamonds were mined. Customs originally said the new requirement would take effect in April but has since delayed its implementation to a yet-to-be-determined date.
New York—U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has postponed implementation of a new requirement that companies importing diamonds into the United States list the country in which the stones were mined.
While CBP’s earlier announcement of the new requirement stated it would take effect in April, a newer Automated Customs Environment (ACE) schedule has the enactment date as “TBD,” or to be determined.
The new requirement is an addition to the regulations already in place, which require importers to self-certify that the diamonds they are importing into the U.S. are not from Russia.
If and when the new country of mining requirement takes effect, a new field for “country of mining” will be added to the Automated Customs Environment (ACE) manifest that importers must fill out, along with an option to upload supporting documentation.
Jewelers of America said it recently updated its members on the current CBP requirements for diamond imports, including information about the new “country of mining” requirement that was expected in April.
The organization sent a follow-up note over the weekend notifying members of the delay in implementation.
“Given how quickly the situation can change—one way or another—we remain engaged and responsive to our members as questions come up, but our overriding guidance from the start of the war has been that Jewelers of America members should not source diamonds that emanate from Russia, regardless of where they are cut and polished, and [be] proactive by communicating with suppliers and conducting due diligence of their supply chains,” the organization said in a statement.
“We want members to be prepared, regardless of specific regulations that could be in the pipeline.”
Related stories will be right here …
While CBP’s earlier announcement of the new requirement stated it would take effect in April, a newer Automated Customs Environment (ACE) schedule has the enactment date as “TBD,” or to be determined.
The new requirement is an addition to the regulations already in place, which require importers to self-certify that the diamonds they are importing into the U.S. are not from Russia.
If and when the new country of mining requirement takes effect, a new field for “country of mining” will be added to the Automated Customs Environment (ACE) manifest that importers must fill out, along with an option to upload supporting documentation.
Jewelers of America said it recently updated its members on the current CBP requirements for diamond imports, including information about the new “country of mining” requirement that was expected in April.
The organization sent a follow-up note over the weekend notifying members of the delay in implementation.
“Given how quickly the situation can change—one way or another—we remain engaged and responsive to our members as questions come up, but our overriding guidance from the start of the war has been that Jewelers of America members should not source diamonds that emanate from Russia, regardless of where they are cut and polished, and [be] proactive by communicating with suppliers and conducting due diligence of their supply chains,” the organization said in a statement.
“We want members to be prepared, regardless of specific regulations that could be in the pipeline.”
Last week, the EU announced that it now will require diamond importers to provide information about where exactly their diamonds were mined.
As part of its 16th package of sanctions against Russia, the EU said that, as of March 1, importers will be required to provide a Kimberley Process certificate that states the exact country of origin for all the rough diamonds in each shipment.
The EU also postponed implementation of a system for tracking rough diamonds from mine to market, setting a new deadline of Jan. 1, 2026, citing the need for more time to refine a system.
The G-7 announced in December 2023 that member countries that are “major” importers of rough diamonds need to establish a “robust traceability-based verification and certification mechanism” for tracking diamonds through the supply chain.
The G-7 originally set a deadline of Sept. 1, 2024, for the creation and implementation of such a system, a deadline the EU has now pushed back twice, first to March 1, 2025, and now to the beginning of 2026.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
ColumnistsOct 15, 2026
Peter Smith: What Is the Culture REP?It’s a term Smith coined and felt compelled to share following a bad experience with an aborted flight and an unfeeling flight attendant.
WatchesOct 15, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb’s New Movado Watches Are Made for Your Wrist StackMovado teamed up with the New York-based fine jewelry designer on a new collection of Movado Museum Velura watches.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
SourcingOct 15, 2026
Signet Jewelers, Richemont May Join Bidder for De Beers, Report SaysThe two companies are reportedly in talks to join the Global Diamond Consortium, led by former De Beers CEO Gareth Penny, as per Bloomberg.
Weekly QuizOct 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsOct 15, 2026
Wolf x Marla Aaron's New Jewelry Box Is for Some (Not All) of Your ThingsThe “Some of the Things” box follows the two larger “Everything” box designs with the look and function of antique sewing and toolboxes.
IndependentsOct 14, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Coleman and Mitchell ClarkFourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
SourcingOct 14, 2026
Manuel Marcial de Gomar, ‘The Emerald Whisperer,’ Dies at 90The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.
FinancialsOct 14, 2026
LVMH’s Jewelry Brands Turn in ‘Very Good’ Performance in Q3 Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”
Events & AwardsOct 14, 2026
Chicago Responsible Jewelry Conference Releases 2026 ProgramThis year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.
MajorsOct 13, 2026
David Webb Owner Purchases Lugano JewelryThe high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.
Lab-GrownOct 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Takes Lab-Grown Diamond Collection WholesaleThe jewelry designer has partnered with Sofer Jewelry to distribute her 85-piece lab-grown diamond collection.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Sean DunnDunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.
AuctionsOct 13, 2026
Christie's Geneva To Auction 'Bulgari Pink' DiamondThe 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.
IndependentsOct 13, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers’ New Candle Smells Like HomeThe “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
TechnologyOct 13, 2026
GemFind Is a New JA Member Benefit Partner The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.
SurveysOct 09, 2026
These Will Be the 10 Busiest Days for In-Store Shopping This Holiday SeasonStores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.
CollectionsOct 09, 2026
Elisa Solomon Collabs With Serendipity 3 on ‘Frozen Hot Chocolate’ CharmThe charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.
AuctionsOct 09, 2026
8-Carat Blue Diamond Goes Unsold at UK Jewelry Auction The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.
WatchesOct 09, 2026
Movado to Sell Majority Stake in Ebel for $66.5MThe watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.
CollectionsOct 08, 2026
Brent Neale’s New Collection Goes ‘Back to Basics’It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.
SourcingOct 08, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair Heads Back to BrooklynThe trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.
Events & AwardsOct 08, 2026
Pattons Fine Jewelry Sweeps Local Design ContestAra Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.
AuctionsOct 08, 2026
Reba McEntire’s Jewelry, Watches Head to Julien’s AuctionsThe live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.
Supplier BulletinOct 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Helps Jewelers Turn Custom Design into a Hands-On Selling ExperienceSponsored by Overnight Mountings
CollectionsOct 07, 2026
Blue Nile, Royal Asscher Collection Highlights Natural Diamond BeautyBlue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.
