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
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
Weekly QuizJan 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
Supplier BulletinJan 22, 2026
The Rise of Centralized Sourcing in the Colored Gemstone MarketSponsored by RapNet
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Lugano Diamonds Finds a BuyerInvestment firm Enhanced Retail Funding, a division of Gordon Brothers, was the successful bidder.
SourcingJan 22, 2026
De Beers To Release ‘A Diamond Is Forever’ BookIt explores the history of the iconic tagline and the company’s strategy to redefine the role of diamonds in society.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Swarovski Appoints New North America PresidentRetail veteran Sindhu Culas has stepped into the role.
MajorsJan 22, 2026
Stuller Names New Chief Merchandising, Marketing, Sales OfficerTaylor Burgess, who has been at Stuller since 2013, was promoted to the newly created role.
PodcastsJan 21, 2026
Episode 1: High Gold Prices, the Diamond Dilemma, & What’s NextWas 2025 a good year for jewelers? Did lab-grown diamonds outsell natural? Find out on the first episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
EditorsJan 21, 2026
6 Jewelry Designers Poised to Have a Breakout Year in 2026Whether you recognize their jewels or are just discovering them now, these designers’ talent and vision make them ones to watch this year.
