Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect
David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
JA President and CEO David Bonaparte and World Diamond Council President Ronnie VanderLinden returned to Washington, D.C., this week to meet with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer about the impact of tariffs on the jewelry industry.
Washington, D.C.—The head of the industry’s largest trade organization, Jewelers of America, traveled to Washington, D.C., to meet with Trump administration officials on the new slate of tariffs that went into effect last week.
On Wednesday, JA President and CEO David Bonaparte, along with JA’s Washington counsel Tim Haake and World Diamond Council President Ronnie VanderLinden, sat down with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to continue to push for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls to be exempt from tariffs.
The meeting came one week after Greer announced a fresh round of tariffs on 60 countries following a USTR investigation that determined the governments did not do enough to prevent the use of “forced labor” in their supply chains.
There were some wins for the jewelry industry.
Diamonds from the EU are exempt from tariffs once again, while the tariff rate fell to zero for all goods imported from six diamond-producing countries, including Botswana and Namibia, and on all products imported from Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia, all of which produce colored gemstones.
However, the 10 percent import tax on goods from India, which cuts and polishes the vast majority of the world’s diamonds, remains in place and could increase.
Congress is currently considering legislation, the Sanctioning Russia Act, that would penalize countries that trade with Russia, including India and China, by imposing a 100 percent tariff on their imports.
The hope is that India will reach a trade deal with the United States before that happens, JA said.
Related stories will be right here …
On Wednesday, JA President and CEO David Bonaparte, along with JA’s Washington counsel Tim Haake and World Diamond Council President Ronnie VanderLinden, sat down with U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer to continue to push for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls to be exempt from tariffs.
The meeting came one week after Greer announced a fresh round of tariffs on 60 countries following a USTR investigation that determined the governments did not do enough to prevent the use of “forced labor” in their supply chains.
There were some wins for the jewelry industry.
Diamonds from the EU are exempt from tariffs once again, while the tariff rate fell to zero for all goods imported from six diamond-producing countries, including Botswana and Namibia, and on all products imported from Kenya, Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania, and Zambia, all of which produce colored gemstones.
However, the 10 percent import tax on goods from India, which cuts and polishes the vast majority of the world’s diamonds, remains in place and could increase.
Congress is currently considering legislation, the Sanctioning Russia Act, that would penalize countries that trade with Russia, including India and China, by imposing a 100 percent tariff on their imports.
The hope is that India will reach a trade deal with the United States before that happens, JA said.
“We were pleased to see that tariffs were not implemented on major diamond-producing countries like Botswana and Namibia. Tariffs on diamonds from the EU were also removed, a huge win for Antwerp,” Bonaparte said following Wednesday’s meeting.
“However, tariffs remain a major threat for the jewelry industry and officials need to hear repeatedly from us on why diamonds, gemstones, and pearls should be excluded from them going forward.”
He added, “JA applauds the actions of the United States Trade Representative in leading the discussions on establishing fair trade agreements between the U.S. and foreign governments, as this is the key to removing tariffs.”
Bonaparte and VanderLinden previously traveled to Washington in August 2025 to meet with Peter Navarro, one of Trump’s top trade advisors.
That meeting led the administration to exempt diamonds, gemstones, and natural pearls from tariffs, but only if the U.S. had a trade agreement with the exporting nation.
That potential for exemption was lost when the Supreme Court struck down the tariffs Trump imposed in 2025 under the International Economic Emergency Power Act, leading the administration to seek other avenues for imposing higher import taxes.
A temporary 10 percent across-the-board tariff was implemented under section 122 of the Trade Act of 1974 immediately following the Supreme Court’s ruling in February.
When those tariffs expired last week, the “forced labor” tariffs, implemented under section 301 of the 1974 Trade Act, went into effect.
USTR is conducting another section 301 investigation into alleged “overproduction” of certain goods that could result in additional tariffs on 16 countries, including India, China, Thailand, the EU, and Switzerland.
JA is calling on its members and the industry to continue to use JA’s Legislative Action Center to write the president and Congress and tell them how tariffs are impacting their businesses.
More information about JA’s advocacy efforts is available on the organization’s website.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
CrimeAug 18, 2026
2 California Men Arrested in Fatal Vehicle Smash RobberyOne is the driver who allegedly crashed a car into a Sacramento jewelry store in April, striking a 71-year-old employee who later died.
ColumnistsAug 18, 2026
Peter Smith: The IKEA Effect and Bridal Branding In a new column, Peter Smith posits that people actually enjoy putting together IKEA furniture, and the same is true for engagement rings.
CrimeAug 18, 2026
Thieves Snatch $1M in Jewelry From New Jersey Jeweler9lakha Jewelers in Iselin, New Jersey, was the target of a smash-and-grab robbery on Aug. 8.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Lab-GrownAug 18, 2026
Ring Concierge, Kendall Jenner Collab on Bridal Earrings GiveawayThe jeweler has partnered with Jenner’s 818 Tequila brand to gift lab-grown diamond studs to a bride-to-be and their bridal party.
Weekly QuizAug 13, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
Exhibition on Louis Comfort Tiffany’s Studios to Open at The MetThe exhibition will feature more than 100 drawings of stained-glass lampshades, windows, and more, many created by women and émigrés.
CollectionsAug 17, 2026
Marquise Diamonds Dance in Spinelli Kilcollin’s ‘Wren’ CollectionMarquise-cut diamonds in drop charms are the center of the new collection, reflecting the movement of a dancer in modular styles.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsAug 17, 2026
There’s a New Jewelry Show Coming to FloridaThe inaugural Fort Lauderdale Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show will be held from Jan. 28 through Feb. 1, 2027.
IndependentsAug 14, 2026
Smyth Jewelers to Open Fourth LocationThe family-owned jeweler will open a new showroom in Bel Air, Maryland, this fall.
CrimeAug 14, 2026
Wife of Man Convicted in Jeweler’s Murder Sentenced for Conspiracy Amanda Ileana Hernandez is married to Carlos Hernandez, one of two men in prison for the 2024 murder of Michigan jeweler Hussein Murray.
TrendsAug 14, 2026
Paul Morelli’s Latest ‘Wavey Vine’ Earrings Embrace ColorThe reimagined jewel, our Piece of the Week, trades the diamonds in the original 1998 design for blue, pink, yellow, and green sapphires.
Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
