Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
5 Security Tips for Las Vegas Jewelry Market Week 2026This year, it’s what could happen outside of show hours that worries JSA Executive Vice President Scott Guginsky.
Policies & IssuesAug 13, 2015
Colorado spill renews calls for mining law reform
The breach that turned a Colorado river orange this week has environmental groups and some lawmakers stressing the need to overhaul the 143-year-old law that still governs hard-rock mining.
This aerial shot courtesy of Ecoflight shows the Animas River winding through the town of Durango, Colo. after workers for the EPA caused millions of gallons of mine wastewater to spill into one of the river’s tributaries, turning the water
Silverton, Colo.--The breach that turned one Colorado river into a ribbon of orange this week has renewed calls from environmental groups and lawmakers to reform the 143-year-old law that still governs hard-rock mining in the United States.
The trouble started Aug. 5 when a members of a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency cleanup crew who were, ironically, investigating ongoing water releases from the Gold King Mine broke a dam that was holding back wastewater, the EPA acknowledged in a statement.
The Gold King Mine was active from the 1880s to the 1920s.
The breach resulted in 3 million gallons of water contaminated by mercury, lead, arsenic and cadmium to spill into Cement Creek, a tributary of the 126-mile long Animas River, which runs from Colorado into New Mexico. The Animas empties into the San Juan River, which then flows west, eventually joining the Colorado River in Utah.
The pollutants turned portions of the river the color of mustard and, as of Thursday afternoon, had reached as far as Utah.
In a statement released Wednesday, the EPA stated that the quality of the water in some stretches of the river had returned to “pre-event” levels but that it would continue to monitor it. A number of environmental experts have said it is too early to determine what the long-term impacts of the spill could be.
As the toxic orange water wound its way westward, environmental groups and the media renewed their calls for reform to the law that governs hard-rock mining on federal public lands in the U.S., the 1872 Mining Law.
On Thursday, both the Los Angeles Times and The New York Times published op-eds about the impact of mine spills on the environment, with the New York Times calling the 143-year-old mining law a “destructive relic.”
The law allows hard-rock miners, miners of materials such as gold, silver and copper, to extract minerals on federal public lands without paying any federal royalties, which is unlike other industries such as coal, oil and gas, said Bonnie Gestring, the Northwest program director for environmental group Earthworks.
This leaves the hard-rock mining industry in the U.S. without a dedicated source of funding for mine cleanup.
Earthworks, along with other environmental groups and some members of Congress, want to see a new law drafted that would put a royalty system in place, with those funds earmarked specifically for the
cleanup of abandoned and inactive mines.
The National Mining Association, a trade association representing the industry, is among those that have spoken out against proposed changes to the 1872 law in the past.
On Thursday, NMA spokesman Luke Popovich said that while it’s true the same law has been on the books since 1872, many environmental regulations that impact hard-rock mining have been passed since that time.
He said the mining industry feels that there is enough regulation and while it supports a “modest royalty,” one that is too high--such as the 8 percent royalty on new mines proposed in the most recent legislation designed to overhaul the old mining law, from U.S. Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.)--will drive mining companies out of the U.S.
Popovich said they would then mine much-needed minerals elsewhere, in countries with far fewer environmental regulations.
“We favor a modest royalty. They (environmental groups and others in support hard-rock mining reform) have not favored the royalties we want,” he said.
When asked if the royalty funds should be used to clean up old mines, he said, “Whatever the government feels they need to use it for, that’s obviously up to the government.”
Grijalva’s bill was introduced in February and currently is in committee in the House.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
ColumnistsMay 27, 2026
What Jewelers Can Learn From Luxury Fashion’s Digital PlaybookHigh-end fashion houses know how to emotionally connect with customers online. Retail jewelers should take note, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
Events & AwardsMay 27, 2026
Couture’s ‘The Iridescence’ Will Showcase 7 Emerging Jewelry DesignersThe designers are the third cohort of mentees from the show’s Belonging @ Couture mentorship program.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
ColumnistsMay 26, 2026
The Key Mindset for Better Trade Show BuyingBuying discipline at trade shows starts with clarity about your inventory levels, Smith writes.
Weekly QuizMay 21, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas ScheduleThe trade show’s education series returns, with sessions on retail trends, AI, watches, marketing, corporate responsibility, and more.
Events & AwardsMay 26, 2026
CBG Brings Its Curated Designer Project to Las Vegas ShowThe Curated Designer Project has expanded to highlight eight independent jewelry designers during CBG’s Las Vegas show.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
TrendsMay 26, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Cooldown Is ComingBring a cool tone to your summer jewelry with these white metal pieces.
Events & AwardsMay 22, 2026
Instore Buys JA New York ShowThe deal closed this week, which means Instore will produce the JA NY show slated to take place this fall.
FinancialsMay 22, 2026
Richemont’s Jewelry Brands Lead the Charge in Q4The company’s jewelry sales were up in Q4 and the fiscal year, with Richemont raising prices in part because of the cost of gold.
CollectionsMay 22, 2026
Leigh Maxwell Celebrates 5 Years at Couture With ‘Bauble’ CollectionThe “Bauble” capsule collection of colorful one-of-a-kinds includes our Piece of the Week, the “Bauble” earrings, featuring rose zircon.
MajorsMay 22, 2026
Stuller’s New Packaging, Display Catalog Is Out The updated catalog has a newly dedicated section for gift wrapping.
PodcastsMay 21, 2026
Episode 5: Sotheby’s Frank Everett Puts the Auction Market in PerspectiveEverett covers colored stones’ surging popularity, the mellow return of the “Mellon Blue,” and his “The Devil Wears Prada” doppelgänger.
IndependentsMay 21, 2026
Springer’s Jewelers’ New Flagship Will Serve Next-Gen Luxury ShoppersFourth-generation CEO Lilly Mullen wants to emphasize experience, connection, and personalized service.
Events & AwardsMay 21, 2026
JA Announces Nina Pugliese Memorial ScholarshipThe new award, created in partnership with Henne Jewelers, honors the late designer’s legacy through supporting jewelry education.
SourcingMay 21, 2026
Botswana, Angola Join WFDBThe addition of the diamond-producing countries as nation affiliated members broadens the federation’s global representation, WFDB said.
CrimeMay 20, 2026
NYPD Warns of Jewelry Swap Scams Targeting SeniorsThe NYPD is warning elderly New Yorkers to keep their jewelry hidden when walking outside to avoid being a target.
IndependentsMay 20, 2026
Adornment & Theory’s New Store Feels Like Home Designer Viviana Langhoff has realized her dream of owning a space for her Chicago jewelry store that looks and feels like her brand.
Events & AwardsMay 20, 2026
Here Is Couture’s 2026 Education Lineup The sessions will run from Friday, May 29, to Sunday, May 31, with one being a live taping of an episode of Couture’s podcast.
Lab-GrownMay 20, 2026
Savannah Friedkin Jewelry Names New CEOFormer Stephanie Gottlieb Fine Jewelry executive Morgan P. Richardson is joining the lab-grown diamond jewelry brand.
WatchesMay 19, 2026
Here’s the AP x Swatch Pocket Watch That Caused PandemoniumThe $400 pocket watch is a blend of Audemars Piguet’s iconic eight-sided Royal Oak and Swatch’s unserious Pop watches from the ‘80s.
CollectionsMay 19, 2026
Chris Ploof’s New Collection Makes an Ancient Metal ModernWith gold prices on the rise, the “Modern Electrum” collection uses an alternative, non-tarnishing metal alloy composed of gold and silver.
IndependentsMay 19, 2026
Ellen and Michael Fruchtman Retire, Sell Marketing Agency Fruchtman Marketing has new owners, Erin Moyer-Carballea and Manuel Carballea, and will relocate to Miami.
ColumnistsMay 19, 2026
Peter Smith: The (Mostly) Immutable Sales TruthsIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Smith lists 10 time-tested principles about sales that still ring true.
ColumnistsMay 18, 2026
Edahn Golan: What a K-Shaped Economy Means for Fine JewelryIn a column for the 2026 State of the Majors issue, Golan spells out how the growing economic divide in the U.S. is reshaping the market.
CollectionsMay 18, 2026
Foundrae’s New Collection Taps Into JoyThe “Limitless Expansion of Joy and Hope” collection evokes summer through colored gemstones and motifs of butterflies and florals.
