The 23-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, set to headline Christie’s May jewelry auction, was expected to sell for as much as $50 million.
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

G.B. Heron Jewelers in Salisbury, Maryland, is set to close as its owner, Jeff Cassels, retires.

Emmanuel Raheb outlines the differences between the two platforms and posits that the most successful jewelers use both.

Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA

The miner said its April sale featured a mix of commercial-quality primary rubies and secondary rubies of varying quality.


U.S. customs agents in El Paso, Texas, intercepted the package, which would have been worth $9 million if the jewelry was genuine.

Health monitors become statement pieces when paired with the brand’s new collection of stackable diamond-studded bands.

Six new retail businesses were selected for the 2025 program, which began in January.

Ten organizations were selected this year.

Kim Carpenter and Sam Gevisenheit have joined the brand.

“Shell Auranova” is the next generation of the brand’s bridal line, featuring half-bezel engagement rings with bold and fluid designs.

Boucheron and Pomellato performed well in an otherwise bleak quarter for Kering amid struggles at Gucci.

Designer Deborah Meyers created her birds from oxidized sterling silver, rose-cut diamond eyes, and Akoya Keshi pearl feathers.

The company said it expects sightholders to remain “cautious” with their purchasing due to all the unknowns around the U.S. tariffs.

Sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America

Simon Wolf shares why the time was right to open a new office here, what he looks for in a retail partner, and why he loves U.S. consumers.

A third-generation jeweler, Ginsberg worked at his family’s store, Ginsberg Jewelers, from 1948 until his retirement in 2019.

The company failed to file its quarterly reports in a timely manner.

The organization also announced its board of directors.

Charms may be tiny but with their small size comes endless layering possibilities, from bracelets to necklaces and earrings.

Located in Valenza, the now 355,000-square-foot facility includes a new jewelry school that’s open to the public, Scuola Bulgari.

Paola Sasplugas, co-founder of the Barcelona-based jewelry brand, received the Fine Jewelry Award.

A platinum Zenith-powered Daytona commissioned in the late ‘90s will headline Sotheby’s Important Watches sale in Geneva next month.

The basketball stars wear men’s jewelry from the “Curb Chain” collection.

The Signet Jewelers-owned retailer wants to encourage younger shoppers to wear fine jewelry every day, not just on special occasions.

The 21 pieces, all from a private collector, will be offered at its Magnificent Jewels auction next month.

Lilian Raji answers a question from a reader who is looking to grow her jewelry business but has a limited marketing budget.