Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Right now, with broad tariffs of 10 percent hitting our trading partners globally—and the potential threat of higher rates to come as soon as August 1—the jewelry industry is facing an “all hands-on deck” crisis. It will take a robust, sustained, and focused lobbying effort in Washington, D.C. to protect jewelry businesses.
Jewelers of America (JA), through its advocacy efforts and the Jewelers of America Political Action Committee (JAPAC), is leading the charge.
Since the Trump Administration announced its first tariffs earlier this year, Jewelers of America has pushed back on levies that could hurt the jewelry industry, inviting members of the trade to share their stories and reach out directly to their representatives and the administration.
In May, JA sent letters and its position paper on tariffs to key Trump Administration officials, outlining why the tariffs are damaging to the industry and asking for an exemption for diamonds and finished fine jewelry. The work continues as we plan for our annual fly-in to Washington, D.C. on September 17, 2025.
An Advocate for the Jewelry Industry
JA’s efforts to represent jewelers on tariffs are just one piece of the work we have been doing for members and the industry. Over the years, we have played a key role in fighting against legislation that hurts jewelry businesses – from luxury taxes in the early nineties to estate taxes and everything in between.
We have also supported measures that help jewelers, like tax cuts, sales tax fairness and legislation to fight retail crime. To that end, we joined with other groups in helping to overturn a Supreme Court ruling that had hampered states’ abilities to collect sales tax on online purchases and we are currently working to get bipartisan support for legislation in the House and Senate to address retail crime.
Support from Jewelers of America members is critical to our efforts: their voices on how legislation and policies affect their businesses--day-to-day and long-term—helps put JA messaging into clear context. It is one thing for a lawmaker to hear broad talking points from JA; it is more powerful when a jeweler can say how a policy is having an immediate and real-world impact on their business.
How You Can Have an Impact
Having influence is more important than ever, with pressure on industries—jewelry included—coming from all angles: government, non-governmental organizations, and customers (both consumers of jewelry products and supply chain partners). As an industry we must engage in conversations early and often.
Actionable Steps You Can Take to Stand Up for Your Business:
• Join Jewelers of America: If you are not already a Jewelers of America member, now is the time to join.
• Join JAPAC: Become a member to grow the industry's influence. As a non-profit trade organization, the association started JAPAC as a separate segregated fund/PAC in accordance with election laws. It is funded by voluntary donations from individuals affiliated with Jewelers of America and its members. You must be a Jewelers of America member to support JAPAC.
• Speak Up on Tariffs: Share your stories on how tariffs are already impacting your business through JA’s short online form.
• Get Involved: For questions about JA advocacy, including our annual fly-in to Washington, D.C., reach out to Susan Posnock, JA’s Director of Public Affairs & Education at sposnock@jewelers.org.