Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key Issues
Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

Brought To You By Jewelers of America
Right now, with broad tariffs of 10 percent hitting our trading partners globally—and the potential threat of higher rates to come as soon as August 1—the jewelry industry is facing an “all hands-on deck” crisis. It will take a robust, sustained, and focused lobbying effort in Washington, D.C. to protect jewelry businesses.
In May, JA sent letters and its position paper on tariffs to key Trump Administration officials, outlining why the tariffs are damaging to the industry and asking for an exemption for diamonds and finished fine jewelry. The work continues as we plan for our annual fly-in to Washington, D.C. on September 17, 2025.
An Advocate for the Jewelry Industry
We have also supported measures that help jewelers, like tax cuts, sales tax fairness and legislation to fight retail crime. To that end, we joined with other groups in helping to overturn a Supreme Court ruling that had hampered states’ abilities to collect sales tax on online purchases and we are currently working to get bipartisan support for legislation in the House and Senate to address retail crime.
How You Can Have an Impact
- Join Jewelers of America: If you are not already a Jewelers of America member, now is the time to join.
- Join JAPAC: Become a member to grow the industry's influence. As a non-profit trade organization, the association started JAPAC as a separate segregated fund/PAC in accordance with election laws. It is funded by voluntary donations from individuals affiliated with Jewelers of America and its members. You must be a Jewelers of America member to support JAPAC.
- Speak Up on Tariffs: Share your stories on how tariffs are already impacting your business through JA’s short online form.
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Get Involved: For questions about JA advocacy, including our annual fly-in to Washington, D.C., reach out to Susan Posnock, JA’s Director of Public Affairs & Education at sposnock@jewelers.org.
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Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.

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The pop-up will display this year's Tiffany & Co. Singles Championship trophies along with a diamond-encrusted tennis racket and ball.

As a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.

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Participants who attend any three Rings of Strength events will be awarded a special medal.

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The counterfeit Van Cleef & Arpels jewels would have been worth more than $30 million if genuine.

The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program received the Registered Apprenticeship Program designation by the U.S. Department of Labor.

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Barabash, Verragio’s client relations representative, was a vital member of the team and is remembered as being warm and full of life.

Originally introduced in 1992, the “Dot” collection is back with a capsule featuring five archival designs and three new creations.

Allison-Kaufman has received the honor for the fourth year in a row.

The company had a solid second quarter, with sales of non-charm jewelry outpacing sales of pieces in its core collections.

Taylor Swift dons the vibrant pair in new promotional imagery for her upcoming album, “The Life of a Showgirl,” set to release in October.

Its investment in micromechanics expert Inhotec will preserve skills essential to the watchmaking industry as a whole, said the company.

Nicolette Bianchi joins the wholesale provider with more than 15 years of cross-industry experience in marketing and product development.

Her new “Ocean” collection was inspired by Myanmar’s traditional articulated fish jewelry, with depictions of flounder, catfish, and more.

Longtime Casio executive Yusuke Suzuki is the new president and CEO of Casio’s U.S. subsidiary.

The full-day sourcing and networking event, slated for Aug. 18, will be followed by the fifth annual Mega Mixer Summer Soirée.