EditorsJun 09, 2026
Q&A: Al Cook on the Lab-Grown ‘Bubble,’ Dwindling Diamond Supply The De Beers Group CEO also discussed tariffs, Desert Diamonds, and the pending sale of De Beers in an interview with Michelle Graff.
Policies & IssuesJun 22, 2016
From Capitol Hill, An Update on Sales Tax ‘Fairness’
The issue continues to gain momentum on both sides of the aisle while resistance is waning, those who just visited the Hill say.
Washington, D.C.—The Jewelers of America Political Action Committee led a delegation of jewelers to D.C. last week for the sixth consecutive year, and returned with an update on the issue known as sales tax fairness.
For years, the jewelry industry, backed by JA, has been pushing Congress to pass legislation requiring e-tailers to collect sales tax on all transactions. Retailers, particularly jewelers, have argued for years that the fact that online sellers don’t have to collect sales tax in all 50 states puts brick-and-mortar businesses at a competitive disadvantage, as many consumers choose to buy online to save themselves money.
Two bills currently are circulating in Congress addressing the issue.
In the U.S. Senate, it’s the Marketplace Fairness Act (MFA), which was introduced in March 2015 by a group of four senators, two Democrat and two Republican. The MFA, which is nearly identical to legislation that made it through the Senate in 2013, is currently with the Senate finance committee.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, it’s the Remote Transactions Parity Act (RTPA), introduced in June 2015 by a bipartisan group of lawmakers led by Rep. Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah).
While sales tax legislation has hit hurdles in the House in the past, momentum continues to build while resistance to the legislation seems to be waning.
Susan Posnock, JA’s director of public affairs and education, said the bill currently has about 65 sponsors, about half Democrat and half Republican. It is with the House Judiciary Committee, headed by Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.).
While it seems unlikely the bill will make it out of committee in this very contentious, and very unusual, election year, JA has high hopes for 2017 and beyond.
“I think it’s inevitable that it’s going to pass,” said Posnock, who’s been monitoring the issue for years. “It’s not if; it’s when. It has the support. It’s just a matter of the right timing and the right pressure.”
She said that JA will really be looking to push the issue in the fall, after the noise generated by the presidential election quiets down.
Posnock said the hope is that the Senate version of the legislation, the MFA, will pass in the lame-duck session following the election, and that the House version, the RTPA, will pass after the new administration is ushered in in 2017.
If this is the case, she noted that the Senate--which passed a sales tax fairness
bill once already--will have to pass another version of the bill in the next Congress.
Both the House and the Senate will then have to reconcile the differences between their two bills and send it to the president for his, or her, signature.
Chris Fetzer of Haake Fetzer, the firm that leads JAPAC and JA legislative advocacy efforts in Washington, added that JA plans to continue to engage lawmakers in both chambers leading up to the November elections, in anticipation of the Senate’s floor consideration of the MFA during the lame-duck session.
He said that Senate passage of the MFA would increase pressure on the House to “afford sales tax fairness legislation long overdue consideration late this year as part of a larger legislative vehicle, and at a minimum, would position the broad coalition of industry and Congressional supporters to make passage of sales tax fairness legislation a Congressional priority in the next Congress.”
During their visit to Washington, members of the JAPAC delegation met with key supporters of legislation they say would level the playing field between online and brick-and-mortar businesses, including Reps. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), Mia Love (R-Utah), and Ted Poe (R-Texas), all cosponsors of the RTPA, and, on the Senate side, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who voted in favor of the measure when it passed in 2013.
They also talked with lawmakers about the Federal Trade Commission’s proposed changes to the Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries, emphasizing JA’s opposition to the use of the word “cultured” when describing lab-grown diamonds.
JA said that lawmakers, particularly Stivers, “expressed interest” in supporting the association’s position.
During the two days they spent in Washington, the JAPAC delegation also met with other members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), chairman of the House Rules Committee, and Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas), chairman of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the cultured diamond issue.
The JA members on the trip were:
Brian Alter, Alter’s Gem Jewelry, Beaumont, Texas (JA member);
Jon Bridge, Ben Bridge Jeweler, Seattle (JAPAC Board);
Jenny Caro, Jewelry by Designs, Woodbridge, Va. (JAPAC board chair, JA board);
Jeff and Jim Corey, Day’s Jewelers; Waterville, Maine (JAPAC board vice chair);
Ronda Daily, Bremer’s Jewelry; Peoria, Ill. (JA member);
Bill Farmer Jr., Farmer’s Jewelers; Lexington, Ky. (JAPAC board, JA board immediate past chairman);
Michael and Eva Greene, Wick & Greene, Asheville, N.C. (JA members); and
Brian Mann, David Mann Jewelers, Potomac, Md. (JA board).
Also in attendance were JA President and CEO David J. Bonaparte, Posnock, JA Executive Administration Manager Sharie Fogarty and Ret. U.S. Army Major Gen. Tim Haake and Fetzer of Haake Fetzer.
Both the House and the Senate will then have to reconcile the differences between their two bills and send it to the president for his, or her, signature.
Chris Fetzer of Haake Fetzer, the firm that leads JAPAC and JA legislative advocacy efforts in Washington, added that JA plans to continue to engage lawmakers in both chambers leading up to the November elections, in anticipation of the Senate’s floor consideration of the MFA during the lame-duck session.
He said that Senate passage of the MFA would increase pressure on the House to “afford sales tax fairness legislation long overdue consideration late this year as part of a larger legislative vehicle, and at a minimum, would position the broad coalition of industry and Congressional supporters to make passage of sales tax fairness legislation a Congressional priority in the next Congress.”
During their visit to Washington, members of the JAPAC delegation met with key supporters of legislation they say would level the playing field between online and brick-and-mortar businesses, including Reps. Steve Stivers (R-Ohio), Mia Love (R-Utah), and Ted Poe (R-Texas), all cosponsors of the RTPA, and, on the Senate side, Sen. Richard Burr (R-N.C.), who voted in favor of the measure when it passed in 2013.
They also talked with lawmakers about the Federal Trade Commission’s proposed changes to the Guides for the Jewelry, Precious Metals, and Pewter Industries, emphasizing JA’s opposition to the use of the word “cultured” when describing lab-grown diamonds.
JA said that lawmakers, particularly Stivers, “expressed interest” in supporting the association’s position.
During the two days they spent in Washington, the JAPAC delegation also met with other members of Congress, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Rep. Pete Sessions (R-Texas), chairman of the House Rules Committee, and Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas), chairman of the Energy & Commerce Subcommittee with jurisdiction over the cultured diamond issue.
The JA members on the trip were:
Brian Alter, Alter’s Gem Jewelry, Beaumont, Texas (JA member);
Jon Bridge, Ben Bridge Jeweler, Seattle (JAPAC Board);
Jenny Caro, Jewelry by Designs, Woodbridge, Va. (JAPAC board chair, JA board);
Jeff and Jim Corey, Day’s Jewelers; Waterville, Maine (JAPAC board vice chair);
Ronda Daily, Bremer’s Jewelry; Peoria, Ill. (JA member);
Bill Farmer Jr., Farmer’s Jewelers; Lexington, Ky. (JAPAC board, JA board immediate past chairman);
Michael and Eva Greene, Wick & Greene, Asheville, N.C. (JA members); and
Brian Mann, David Mann Jewelers, Potomac, Md. (JA board).
Also in attendance were JA President and CEO David J. Bonaparte, Posnock, JA Executive Administration Manager Sharie Fogarty and Ret. U.S. Army Major Gen. Tim Haake and Fetzer of Haake Fetzer.
More on Policies & Issues
The Latest
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Wilkerson's Russ Whitehouse RetiresThe industry veteran is bringing his 56-year run in the fine jewelry sector to an end.
Events & AwardsJun 09, 2026
Pride Month Panel to Highlight LGBTQ+ Jewelry VoicesThe panel discussion will feature LGBTQ+ leaders across the jewelry, luxury, and creative industries.
Brought to you by
All Eyes on Gold Prices. Alternatives to Look For. And What to BEWARE of in VegasAs gold prices rise, today’s retailers are looking for alternatives at prices that will appeal to wider audiences.
CollectionsJun 09, 2026
Marie Lichtenberg’s New Capsule Collection Is a Smash, LiterallyInspired by a locket that got run over, the “Smash” capsule collection reimagines the shape of Lichtenberg’s signature style.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsJun 09, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names Director of Sales for SoutheastThe company has promoted Katherine Whitacre to the role.
MajorsJun 08, 2026
Stuller Expands Selection of Lab-Grown Diamonds, Demi-Fine JewelryThe jewelry manufacturer has added Taylor Swift-esque diamond shapes, and more silver, gold vermeil, and gold-plated jewelry.
Brought to you by
How Modern Training Is Becoming a Competitive Advantage for Jewelry RetailersWith the trade and customer trust in mind, GIA® developed NextGem™ – on-demand training designed specifically for retail.
SourcingJun 08, 2026
Sally Morrison to Depart De Beers This Summer Morrison has been marketing diamonds on and off since the early 2000s and said she is leaving to “pursue new projects.”
TrendsJun 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: June’s Birthstone TrioThose born in June can celebrate with pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone jewelry.
TechnologyJun 08, 2026
Overnight Mountings Launches Ring Builder PlatformThe platform allows retailers to guide clients through a customizable engagement ring buying experience in a branded interface.
IndependentsJun 05, 2026
Pennsylvania Jewelry Store To Close After 79 YearsJim Springer, owner of Dunkelberger’s Fine Jewelry, is heading into retirement.
SurveysJun 05, 2026
Consumers to Cut Back on Spending Amid Rising Prices, Survey Shows When conducting its May consumer confidence survey, The Conference Board asked extra questions about consumers’ budgeting strategies.
CollectionsJun 05, 2026
Rebel Jewelry’s Charm Symbolizes Perseverance for Pride MonthThe “Tunnel” charm, our Piece of the Week, celebrates Pride Month with its design inspired by hope and the light at the end of the tunnel.
SourcingJun 05, 2026
State of Diamonds: The Way Forward for Natural DiamondsThe jewelry industry is reassessing its positioning as Gen Z reshapes the retail landscape and lab grown continues to gain market share.
AuctionsJun 04, 2026
Treasures from Maurice Tempelsman’s ‘Marvelous’ Life Head to AuctionUp for auction at Sotheby’s, the collection of Tempelsman’s personal effects includes a Cartier Tank watch Jackie O. gifted him.
CollectionsJun 04, 2026
Buddha Mama to Spend the Summer in AspenThe Miami-based fine jewelry brand will host its first summer residency in the Colorado mountain town from June 5 to Aug. 23.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
AGS Honors Late Peter Yantzer, Holds Time Capsule CeremonyThe organization also announced its international board of directors for the 2026-2027 term.
MajorsJun 04, 2026
Neiman Marcus’ Downtown Dallas Store to Close in SeptemberSaks Global confirmed the closure this week, spelling the end for a store that’s been part of downtown Dallas for more than 100 years.
ColumnistsJun 03, 2026
Peter Smith: When Top Talent Leaves and What It Says About YouSmith discusses how managers should handle a top performer's exit, warning that a poor response could have a lasting impact.
GradingJun 03, 2026
GIA’s Tracr Investment Is First Step Toward Industry-Owned PlatformThe Gemological Institute of America is now a 30 percent stakeholder in Tracr, the De Beers-backed blockchain for diamonds.
WatchesJun 03, 2026
The 1916 Company Taking Pre-Owned Rolexes on the Road, AgainThe retailer is bringing Rolex Certified Pre-Owned watches to five U.S. cities in 2026 for collectors to see, try on, and purchase.
IndependentsJun 03, 2026
Jessica Alba Is the New Face of Gabriel & Co.The actress and entrepreneur stars in the jeweler’s new campaign that celebrates life’s quiet moments.
TrendsJun 03, 2026
State of Design: Only the Innovative Will SurviveThe price of gold has risen, affecting the number of pieces designers make, the materials they use, and how they position themselves.
FinancialsJun 02, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q1 Sales Up 2% As It Focuses on ‘Core Four’ The jewelry retailer is zeroing in on Zales, Jared, Kay Jewelers, and Blue Nile as it looks to create unique brand identities for each.
SourcingJun 02, 2026
Leader Appointed for Botswana’s Diamonds for Development Fund Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, a development economist, will head the fund created to help Botswana diversify its economy.
WatchesJun 02, 2026
Watch Industry Veteran James Marks Joins Sotheby’sSotheby’s has appointed the former Phillips executive as its global head of private sales and retail in its watches division.
