Model Georgina Rodríguez received a rock of an engagement ring, with her diamond estimated to be 35 carats, experts say.
Sales tax fairness resurfaces in Senate
After being passed by the Senate in 2013 but stumbling in the House, a bill designed to force online-only retailers to collect sales tax in every state is back.
Washington--After being passed by the Senate in 2013 but stumbling in the House, a bill designed to force online-only retailers to collect sales tax in every state is back.
On Tuesday, U.S. Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.), Sen. Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) and Sen. Heidi Heitkamp (D-N.D.) introduced the Marketplace Fairness Act of 2015, a bill virtually identical to the previous version of the bill the U.S. Senate passed in 2013. That bill ultimately ended up dying in committee in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The act would allow all states to require the collection of sales tax already owed under state law by out-of-state businesses (meaning businesses without a physical presence in that state), instead of relying on consumers to remit those taxes to the state.
Sales tax fairness is a huge issue for small business owners, especially jewelers. The lack of sales tax on all online purchases forces brick-and-mortar retailers to deal with showrooming, people who come into their store and get information about a product only to later buy it online where, in the case of fine jewelry, they save hundreds or thousands of dollars by not paying sales tax.
Jewelers of America President David Bonaparte said in a news release that the legislation “keeps momentum on this critical issue alive.”
Susan Posnock, JA’s director of public affairs and education, told National Jeweler Thursday that the House is working on a sales tax fairness bill as well and while Congress might not reach an agreement on the issue this year, she expects a bill to get through in the next two years.
“We see it as a positive regardless of whether this is ultimately the bill that passes,” Posnock said of the introduction of the latest sales tax fairness legislation. “We see it as a positive in terms of keeping (the issue) front and center.”
Retailers that would like to speak out about sales tax fairness can do so through JA’s Legislative Advocacy Center.
The Latest

The board elected 9 new directors at its recent ICA Congress in Brazil.

Three winners will receive a custom ring from Honest Hands Ring Co. inlaid with a piece of history from Denver-based distillery Stranahan’s.

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

JD Sports and Wawa were among the fastest-growing retail companies in the U.S. last year.


The new inventory, all untreated, features vibrant hues and unique bicolor combinations.

Acquired by a tech investor, the historic brand will continue to focus on jewelry, accessories, and timepieces.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

The “Thunderbird Slab” collection features a thunderbird motif as a symbol of power, protection, and boundless possibility.

Columnists Jen Cullen Williams and Duvall O’Steen share tips on how to elevate your professional image.

Peter Damian Arguello, a jeweler in the Denver suburb of Wheat Ridge, was found dead inside his store in November 2023.

The retailer, owned by Berkshire Hathaway, is becoming part of the Berkshire Hathaway Jewelry Group with Helzberg.

The Continental Buying Group’s 2025 Tampa Experience Show is slated for Sept. 8-10.

Associate Editor Lauren McLemore recently attended a fabrics trade show where a trend forecaster shared her predictions for summer 2027.

The company raised its full-year sales guidance while noting it has not yet assessed the potential impact of the latest tariff news.

The organization has raised more than $1.3 million for charity since its inception.

The brand’s latest iteration of a bezel-set diamond bangle features clean lines and a timeless design for a new modern silhouette.

The first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.

The catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.

The company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.

The jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.

Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.

Designer Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.

She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.

Omar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.

The New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.

Lilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.