IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Meet the Real Moms of Day’s JewelersThe jeweler’s Mother’s Day campaign highlights the women who work there—mothers, grandmothers, women who want to be mothers, and dog moms.
SourcingFeb 01, 2018
EPA Reverses Course on Proposed Alaska Gold Mine
The Environmental Protection Agency said it is pressing pause on a plan to do away with Obama-era restrictions on mining in the Bristol Bay watershed.
Washington--The Environmental Protection Agency issued a statement Friday that it is pressing pause on its plan to do away with Obama-era restrictions on mining in Alaska’s Bristol Bay watershed, a move that’s being applauded by opponents of the proposed Pebble gold mine.
But, the EPA said it would still consider permit applications for mines at the site, though it noted that any permit application “must clear a high bar, because EPA believes the risk to Bristol Bay may be unacceptable.”
In his statement, EPA Administrator Scott Pruitt said: “We have restored process, reviewed comments, and heard from a variety of stakeholders on whether to withdraw the proposed restrictions in the Bristol Bay watershed. Based on that review, it is my judgment at this time that any mining projects in the region likely pose a risk to the abundant natural resources that exist there. Until we know the full extent of that risk, those natural resources and world-class fisheries deserve the utmost protection. Today’s action allows EPA to get the information needed to determine what specific impacts the proposed mining project will have on those critical resources.”
The decision is a reversal of the EPA’s actions from last year, when it settled an ongoing lawsuit filed against it by Pebble Limited Partnership, the company that wants to build the gold mine, and then began the process of doing away with the restrictions placed on mining in the area under the Obama administration.
Alaska Gov. Scott Walker, United Tribes of Bristol Bay and jeweler Tiffany & Co. all issued statements in support of the EPA’s decision.
Tiffany has long been an opponent of the Pebble mine, which was originally proposed as North America’s largest open-pit gold and copper mine, though plans for the mine have since been scaled back.
The jeweler was among the first major retailers to speak out against Pebble when the issue arose a decade ago.
Then under the leadership of Michael Kowalski, an avid fly-fisherman who’s visited the area, Tiffany vowed never to make jewelry out of gold sourced from the mine and held screenings of the anti-Pebble documentary “Red Gold” for its board and the media. The documentary’s title refers to the value the local population places on the millions of sockeye salmon who run the watershed every year.
A number of other jewelry retailers including Zale Corp. (then independent of Signet) followed Tiffany’s
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
lead, signing a pledge to boycott gold from Pebble.
On Thursday, Tiffany took out a full-page ad in The Washington Post applauding the EPA’s decision.
The ad reads in part: “Tiffany & Co. has long been a vocal opponent of the proposed Pebble Mine, believing it poses a dire threat to the remarkable Bristol Bay ecosystem, and the world’s most productive salmon fishery it sustains.
“It is a belief widely shared by Alaskans, commercial and sport fishermen, Bristol Bay residents, and even many of our fellow jewelers whose livelihoods depend on mining. Our 180 years of experience sourcing precious metals and gemstones tells us there are certain places where mining should simply never occur. Alaska’s Bristol Bay is one such place.”
Pebble CEO Tom Collier said in a statement that the EPA’s recent decision “does not change our approach.”
“We filed our permit application for review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the National Environmental Policy Act,” he said. “The USACE has determined we have a complete application and has initiated a thorough, objective review of the Pebble Project. We intend to participate fully in the process and encourage all project stakeholders to do the same.”
Spokesman Michael Heatwole also pointed to the portion of the statement from EPA Administrator Pruitt that reads: “This decision neither deters nor derails the application process of PLP’s proposed project. The project proponents continue to enjoy the protection of due process and the right to proceed.”
On Thursday, Tiffany took out a full-page ad in The Washington Post applauding the EPA’s decision.
The ad reads in part: “Tiffany & Co. has long been a vocal opponent of the proposed Pebble Mine, believing it poses a dire threat to the remarkable Bristol Bay ecosystem, and the world’s most productive salmon fishery it sustains.
“It is a belief widely shared by Alaskans, commercial and sport fishermen, Bristol Bay residents, and even many of our fellow jewelers whose livelihoods depend on mining. Our 180 years of experience sourcing precious metals and gemstones tells us there are certain places where mining should simply never occur. Alaska’s Bristol Bay is one such place.”
Pebble CEO Tom Collier said in a statement that the EPA’s recent decision “does not change our approach.”
“We filed our permit application for review by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers under the National Environmental Policy Act,” he said. “The USACE has determined we have a complete application and has initiated a thorough, objective review of the Pebble Project. We intend to participate fully in the process and encourage all project stakeholders to do the same.”
Spokesman Michael Heatwole also pointed to the portion of the statement from EPA Administrator Pruitt that reads: “This decision neither deters nor derails the application process of PLP’s proposed project. The project proponents continue to enjoy the protection of due process and the right to proceed.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
Supplier BulletinApr 23, 2026
JM® Shipping Solution: Smarter Shipping for High-Value GoodsSponsored by Jewelers Mutual
Lab-GrownApr 23, 2026
Charles & Colvard May Sell Assets for $1.5MThe proposed agreement follows the moissanite maker’s Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection filing last month.
Brought to you by
Discover Timeless Treasures: A Showcase of Antique Jewelry & Timepieces in Las VegasGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
AuctionsApr 23, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Fetches $1MThe Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece Astor brought aboard the ill-fated ship sold for double its estimate at a Freeman’s auction.
Weekly QuizApr 16, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 23, 2026
Adam Neeley’s High Jewelry Collection Steps Into Salvador Dalí’s GardenThe “Dalí’s Garden” collection was inspired by a surreal dream Neeley had after cooking a recipe from Salvador Dalí’s 1973 cookbook.
IndependentsApr 23, 2026
Windsor Jewelers Names New Buying DirectorNatalie Feanny has been appointed to the role.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeApr 22, 2026
New Mexico Couple Pleads Guilty to Selling Fake Native American JewelryThe pair falsely claimed their jewelry was made by Navajo artists, but it was imported from Vietnam.
AuctionsApr 22, 2026
Roberta Flack’s Jewelry Is Going Up for AuctionJulien’s Auctions is selling the musician’s fine and fashion jewelry alongside her clothing, gold records, and other memorabilia.
CollectionsApr 22, 2026
British Museum Curator Pens Book on ‘The Tudor Heart’Rachel King’s book dives into the history of the pendant believed to have belonged to Henry VIII and his first wife, Katherine of Aragon.
Events & AwardsApr 22, 2026
Here’s What Sy Kessler Has on Tap for Las Vegas The company will have deals on precious metals testers as well as the latest in lab-grown diamond detection technology and security.
WatchesApr 21, 2026
Coco Chanel Enters the Game with New Watch CollectionGabrielle “Coco” Chanel is a character in the “Coco Game” collection of watches and the queen in its first haute horlogerie chessboard.
IndependentsApr 21, 2026
Meet Jewelers of America’s 2026 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list honors rising professionals on the retail and supply sides of the jewelry industry.
CrimeApr 21, 2026
Customs Nabs 1,500 Pieces of Counterfeit Jewelry Bound for NYCSeized in Kentucky, the packages include fake Cartier, Tiffany & Co., Chanel, and Fendi jewelry.
CrimeApr 20, 2026
Queens Man Convicted in Bludgeoning Death of Pawn Shop OwnerRodolfo Lopez-Portillo faces 25 years to life in prison after being found guilty in the March 2022 beating death of Arasb Shoughi.
TrendsApr 20, 2026
Beth Bernstein, Sonia Esther Soltani Pen New Jewelry Book“Jewelry Creators: Dynamic Duos and Generational Gems” highlights the relationships among 22 influential designers, brands, and gem dealers.
Events & AwardsApr 20, 2026
Atlanta Jewelry Show’s Spring Event Is Hitting the RoadThe AJS Spring 2027 show will be held in Savannah, Georgia, with future shows taking place in other Southeast cities.
MajorsApr 20, 2026
Kendra Scott Names New CFO, Chief Business OfficerThe jewelry retailer plans to open 20 new stores this year and expand into new product categories.
TrendsApr 17, 2026
New (Groundbreaking) Floral Jewelry for Spring 2026Flower motifs are the jewelry trend blooming amongst the new collections that debuted this spring.
MajorsApr 17, 2026
QVC Group Files for Chapter 11 BankruptcyThe retailer reported an 8 percent decline in annual sales as it struggles under the weight of billions of dollars of debt.
CollectionsApr 17, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Earrings Are the Devil on Your ShoulderThe “Devil” drop earrings, our Piece of the Week, are part of designer Edina Kiss’ new namesake jewelry line that she will show at Couture.
CrimeApr 17, 2026
FBI Issues Warning to Refineries, Retailers Due to High Price of GoldThe alert states that burglary crews are targeting jewelry businesses and details how jewelers and refineries can protect themselves.
WatchesApr 16, 2026
Cartier Brings Back the RoadsterThe “watchmaker of shapes” debuted the reworked version of the vintage sports car-inspired timepiece at Watches & Wonders.
IndependentsApr 16, 2026
Edge Retail Academy Updates Leadership TeamAs demand for jewelry retail coaching grows, the company has established a dedicated business coaching leadership team.
MajorsApr 16, 2026
Stuller’s Latest Mountings Catalog Is Out NowThe “Mountings 2026-2027” catalog showcases Stuller’s largest and most diverse assortment to date with more than 400 new mounting styles.
PodcastsApr 15, 2026
Episode 4: The Natural Diamond DilemmaSally Morrison and Mark Klein discuss De Beers’ first beacon in 16 years and the mistake the industry made with lab-grown diamonds.
