AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
Policies & IssuesNov 06, 2017
JA Joins Group Arguing for Online Sales Tax Reform
Jewelers of America is one of 10 retail trade associations urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider its 25-year-old ruling on sales tax collection.
Jewelers of America President and CEO David J. Bonaparte called filing the amicus brief urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider its ruling on online sales tax “a historic opportunity” for the industry to speak out on the issue. The court will be in session until June 2018 and hear arguments until late April.
Washington--Jewelers of America joined a group of 10 retail trade associations in urging the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider Quill, the 1992 ruling that prevents states from collecting sales tax from online sellers that don’t have a physical presence in the state.
Filed Thursday, the 22-page amicus (friend-of-the-court) brief supports South Dakota’s just-filed petition to the court to reconsider Quill.
In it, the associations emphasize the negative impact they say “showrooming”--when consumers visit a store to touch, see and feel a product and learn about it from the sales staff but ultimately buy it online--has had on local sellers and retail centers in towns and cities across the country.
JA provided showrooming stories from jewelers for the brief, which began with this comment from a jeweler in Pittsburgh: “I am fine competing with online sellers, but I don’t like to see them start with a 7 percent price advantage,” he said, a reference to the total amount of sales tax he must collect.
A Beaumont, Texas jeweler who said that when a customer shops “his/her phone is out,” and that customer is using specific make and model information to research prices online.
And another Pennsylvania retailer included in the brief, a jeweler in the town of Mount Joy, said customers often ask the store to “cover” the tax for them.
This jeweler also noted that brick-and-mortar retailers do not have the option of simply curtailing their level of service for showrooming customers because they’d “get a bad view on Yelp!”
South Dakota Attorney General Marty Jackley petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to reconsider Quill in early October, after the state Supreme Court shot down a bill passed by state legislators requiring companies that make more than $100,000 in sales or have more than 200 transactions per calendar year in South Dakota to remit sales tax whether they have a physical presence in the state or not.
It was a deliberate move by lawmakers in that state to get the issue of online sales tax in front of the highest court in the land.
The Marketplace Fairness Coalition spearheaded the filing of the amicus brief. Joining JA in supporting it were: the American Lighting Association, American Supply Association, American Veterinary Medical Association, Auto Care Association, Home Furnishings Association, National Association of Electrical Distributors, National Association of College Stores, National Ski and Snowboard Retailers Association and National Sporting Goods Association.
In addition, the National Retail Federation
filed an amicus brief last week of its own urging the Supreme Court to take up the South Dakota case.
Commenting on the case, JA President and CEO David J. Bonaparte said: “We are hopeful the court will take up the South Dakota case and recognize that Quill does not reflect the retail landscape that exists today,” he said.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s current term began Oct. 2 and runs through June 2018. The last day of oral arguments is April 25, 2018, meaning the court has about six months to take up the case.
Commenting on the case, JA President and CEO David J. Bonaparte said: “We are hopeful the court will take up the South Dakota case and recognize that Quill does not reflect the retail landscape that exists today,” he said.
The U.S. Supreme Court’s current term began Oct. 2 and runs through June 2018. The last day of oral arguments is April 25, 2018, meaning the court has about six months to take up the case.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
MajorsMar 10, 2026
Saks Global to Close 15 More StoresThe retailer also gave an update on its vendor partnerships.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
