AuctionsNov 14, 2024
18th-Century Diamond Necklace Sells for Nearly $5M Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.
EditorsJun 28, 2017
The Importance of Being Politically Active
If there are things you’d like lawmakers to do to help your business, then tell the people who were elected to represent you, Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff writes.
A photo of the group who participated in last week’s fly-in in front of the Capitol building in Washington, D.C. Among those who visited D.C. was first-time fly-in participant Dan Deans of Asurion who said: “If we do not meet with lawmakers to advocate for our industry, other competing interests will, and they will win the day.”
After the election in November, I had a conversation with a close friend who is decidedly non-partisan--meaning, in her case, that she sees an equal amount of fault in both parties in power and voted for neither Clinton nor Trump--but also extremely politically active.
She does organizing in poor communities nationwide for a New York City-based organization called the Poverty Initiative and is currently working on a documentary, “America Will Be.”
In that conversation, my friend told me that she had considered posting a status update on Facebook reminding people that no matter who they voted for, they need to stay on the politicians in office to make sure they do what we elected them to do.
Though she ultimately decided against sharing this thought on Facebook, the conversation is one that has stayed with me and was brought to the fore again last week when I traveled to Washington, D.C. with Jewelers of America (which owns this fine publication) to attend a dinner with Maj. Gen. Tim Haake and Chris Fetzer. (Haake and Fetzer are D.C.-based attorneys who lobby in Washington on behalf of JA and its members.)
The dinner was part of a two-day fly-in in which JA gave retailers and suppliers the chance to learn about the issues affecting business and meet lawmakers.
At the dinner, Haake and Fetzer ran down the list of issues currently on the table that would impact independent jewelers, chief among them the ongoing battle to do something about internet sales tax collection, the seemingly now-dead Border Adjustment Tax and revisions to the FTC guides for jewelry.
For those who might have missed it, bills that would give states the power to force online retailers to collect sales tax are in play again in both the U.S. House and Senate. The bills were reintroduced by Rep. Kristi Noem (R-South Dakota) and Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyoming), respectively, and have a total of 20 sponsors, 10 in each house.
There’s also an opposing bill in the House.
Earlier this month, Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.) introduced the “No Regulation Without Representation” Act, which would prohibit states from imposing sales tax requirements on businesses with no physical presence in the state. The bill has nine cosponsors so far: Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), Tom McClintock (R-Calif.), Glenn Grothman (R-Wisc.), Mark Meadows (R-N.C.), K. Michael Conway (R-Texas), David A. Trott (R-Mich.), Dana Rohrabacher (R-Calif.) and Colin C. Peterson (D-Minn.).
JA, which has the fine jewelry industry’s only political action committee in JAPAC, has been lobbying in Washington for sales tax “fairness” for years, and also was one of many retail groups to come out against the BAT.
I know that there are others in the industry that feel differently about these issues; Jewelry Television, for instance, has spoken out in support of Sensenbrenner’s bill and there were manufacturers that were for the Border Adjustment Tax.
So, this isn’t an article to express my political opinions or to get you, the reader, to try to see these issues one way or another.
Rather, it’s a reminder that if there are things you’d like to see change, then tell the people who were elected to represent you.
On a national level, you can use JA’s Legislative Action Center. If you don’t know who represents you in Congress, it will tell you.
Congress will be in session for the rest of the week, out next week for the Fourth of July holiday, and then back in session the following week until July 28.
I know that there are others in the industry that feel differently about these issues; Jewelry Television, for instance, has spoken out in support of Sensenbrenner’s bill and there were manufacturers that were for the Border Adjustment Tax.
So, this isn’t an article to express my political opinions or to get you, the reader, to try to see these issues one way or another.
Rather, it’s a reminder that if there are things you’d like to see change, then tell the people who were elected to represent you.
On a national level, you can use JA’s Legislative Action Center. If you don’t know who represents you in Congress, it will tell you.
Congress will be in session for the rest of the week, out next week for the Fourth of July holiday, and then back in session the following week until July 28.
More on Editors
The Latest
MajorsNov 14, 2024
Saks Fifth Avenue Cancels Holiday Light DisplayInstead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.
WatchesNov 14, 2024
Grand Seiko Partners With Ben Bridge on First Hawaii Store The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
SourcingNov 13, 2024
Gem Legacy Adventures Announces 2025 Trip Eleven spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.
Weekly QuizNov 14, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
Aga Khan Emerald Sells for $8.8M, Sets RecordThe emerald brooch-turned-pendant returned to auction after 55 years, setting a world record for most expensive emerald sold at auction.
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
‘Exceptional’ Burmese Ruby Ring Tops $5M at Auction Phillips also sold a 1.21-carat fancy red diamond dubbed the “Red Miracle” for more than $1 million at its jewelry auction in Geneva.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Ariana Grande, Anya Taylor-Joy Star in Holiday Jewelry CampaignsFrom Swarovski to Tiffany & Co., jewelry retailers are enlisting celebrities to highlight their holiday offerings.
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Royal Chain’s New Catalog Is Out NowThe 2024-2025 book introduces hundreds of new designs.
FinancialsNov 12, 2024
Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels Continue to Shine for Richemont Richemont’s jewelry sales ticked up 2 percent in the first half of the year, while watch sales plummeted 17 percent.
GradingNov 12, 2024
GIA’s Next-Day Services Return for the HolidaysOffered by the lab since 2016, the holiday season special is good from now through mid-December.
CollectionsNov 12, 2024
Mikimoto and Chrome Hearts Blend Aesthetics in New CollaborationThe “Mikimoto Chrome Hearts” jewelry brings pearls from Mikimoto together with distinctive motifs from Chrome Hearts.
CollectionsNov 08, 2024
Piece of the Week: Larkspur & Hawk’s ‘Tapestry Lily’ Earrings These earrings use flat-backed white quartz to create a window onto an antique ribbon embroidered with a floral design.
Events & AwardsNov 08, 2024
AGTA Reveals Spectrum, Cutting Edge Award Winners for 2024This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards included a new category for engagement rings and a new award highlighting female designers.
FinancialsNov 08, 2024
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Fall 13%Plus, CEO Beth Gerstein shares her insight on the holiday season and the possibility of new tariffs.
TrendsNov 07, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Golden and Blue November HuesThe month’s birthstones, citrine and blue topaz, reflect the changing colors of the season.
CollectionsNov 07, 2024
Sidney Garber Collaborates With Carey Lowell on Capsule CollectionThe “Carey Lowell x Sidney Garber” collection stems from the friendship between the jewelry designer and ceramicist.
MajorsNov 07, 2024
Ritani Debuts ‘No-Fuss’ Holiday TV CampaignThe two ads highlight diamond engagement rings and diamond studs with a straightforward approach.
Policies & IssuesNov 07, 2024
Diamonds Do Good To Distribute $250K+ In Grants Next YearIn 2025, the nonprofit plans to continue its support of longstanding partners while also allocating some funds to a new initiative.
AuctionsNov 06, 2024
Two Rolexes With Ties to Titanic Head to AuctionThe Rolex watches are from the collection of “Titanic” co-producer Alfred “Al” Giddings and will go up for sale at Sotheby’s next month.
FinancialsNov 06, 2024
Pandora Posts Double-Digit Revenue Growth in Q3The Danish jewelry company plans to open up to 150 concept stores this fiscal year.
GradingNov 06, 2024
GIA to Close Lab in Ramat Gan, IsraelThe location will close by the end of the year due to it being financially unsustainable, GIA said.
MajorsNov 06, 2024
David Yurman’s Holiday Campaign Celebrates ‘Moments of Joy’The new campaign stars Sterling K. Brown, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Winnie Harlow, Kyle Kuzma, Arizona Muse, and Iris Law.
CollectionsNov 05, 2024
Jacquie Aiche is Hosting an Online Treasure HuntOne lucky winner will receive a “Lizzie” diamond bracelet.
IndependentsNov 05, 2024
Long's Jewelers Names New Director of BuyingSamantha Larson has joined the Boston-based retailer.
Events & AwardsNov 05, 2024
JA, BIJC Now Accepting EJAP Applications for 2025The Emerging Jewelers Accelerator Program will guide retail jewelry entrepreneurs through an eight-month educational curriculum.
