AuctionsAug 29, 2025
Sotheby’s UAE Sale to Feature 32-Carat Fancy Vivid Orangy Pink DiamondThe highlight of a single-owner jewelry and watch collection, it’s estimated to fetch up to $7 million at auction this December.
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
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
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
FinancialsAug 29, 2025
Movado’s Q2 Sales Rebound Despite Tariff ImpactCEO Efraim Grinberg noted a resurgence in the fashion watch market.
CollectionsAug 29, 2025
Piece of the Week: Mark Davis’ ‘Bullseye’ Necklace The “Bullseye” necklace, with vintage bakelite and peridot, August’s birthstone, is the perfect transitional piece as summer turns to fall.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Supplier BulletinAug 28, 2025
Clientbook Is Helping Jewelers Turn Clienteling Challenges into Wins with Hands-On Training and CoachingSponsored by Clientbook
Weekly QuizAug 29, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingAug 28, 2025
GIA’s New ‘Quality Assessment’ for Lab-Grown Diamonds Is Coming It will classify lab-grown stones into one of two categories, “premium” or “standard,” in lieu of giving specific color and clarity grades.
SourcingAug 28, 2025
Botswana Declares Public Health Emergency Amid Diamond Sales SlumpPresident Duma Boko addressed the country’s medical supply chain crisis in a recent televised address.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
MajorsAug 28, 2025
Borsheims Names New Jewelry BuyerFormer Free People buyer Afton Robertson-Kanne recently joined the retailer.
IndependentsAug 28, 2025
Sissy’s Log Cabin Donates School Supplies to Memphis StudentsThe jeweler teamed up with two local organizations for its inaugural “Back to School and Bling” event.
EditorsAug 27, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Is a Fairy Tale for Vintage Diamond CutsThe singer’s new bling, reportedly a natural old mine-cut diamond, is no paper ring.
SourcingAug 27, 2025
11,685-Carat Emerald Recovered From Zambia’s Kagem MineDubbed the “Imboo,” or “buffalo,” emerald, the rough gemstone is part of Gemfields’ latest emerald auction, which is taking place now.
SurveysAug 27, 2025
Consumer Confidence Slips in August Amid Job, Income WorriesPlans for dining out, booking vacations, and buying big-ticket items were down.
CollectionsAug 27, 2025
Mined + Found’s New Collection Gets Playful The “Play” collection centers on nostalgic toys that have kinetic elements to carry playfulness and wonder into adulthood.
CollectionsAug 26, 2025
Does Your Jewelry Stack Need a Snack?Designer Christina Puchi, the creative force behind CCWW Designs, has created charms and pendants based on iconic candies and crackers.
WatchesAug 26, 2025
Nick Jonas Gets Nostalgic in New Fossil CampaignThe Jonas Brothers star showed off new timepieces against the backdrop of his favorite spots in his home state of New Jersey.
IndependentsAug 26, 2025
Hinkamp Jewelers Celebrates 70 YearsThe family-owned jeweler in Fayetteville, North Carolina, is in the hands of the second generation.
ColumnistsAug 26, 2025
Back to School, Back to Style: Why August is Prime Time for Self-GiftingIn his latest column, Emmanuel Raheb shares tips for encouraging customers to treat themselves to new jewelry.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
London Jewelers Brings Rolex to Historic Hamptons HomeThe new stand-alone Rolex boutique is housed in the former Odd Fellows Hall, a landmark built in 1897.
CollectionsAug 25, 2025
Tennis Star Madison Keys Has the Perfect Necklace for the US OpenThe Brilliant Earth ambassador co-designed a diamond medallion featuring meaningful symbols.
TrendsAug 25, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: That’s a WrapWrap jewelry is more than just a trend; it’s the perfect motif for the coming season of layering, scarves, and pumpkin spice.
WatchesAug 25, 2025
WatchTime NY Show Returns for 10th Anniversary EditionThe three-day watch collector show, coming this October, will feature 44 exhibiting brands, as well as a new dinner experience.
GradingAug 22, 2025
Former Head of GIA India Promoted to Oversee Global Operations Sriram “Ram” Natarajan is now GIA’s senior vice president of laboratory operations and is based out of the lab’s headquarters in Carlsbad.
CollectionsAug 22, 2025
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s ‘Diamond Vein Bond’ CollarThe one-of-a-kind collar represents the beauty of imperfection and the strength to rebuild.
MajorsAug 22, 2025
Kendra Scott Returns as CEO of Her Jewelry EmpireThree C-suite executives, including former CEO Tom Nolan, have resigned as part of what the company describes as a “transition.”
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Claire’s Finds Buyer, Could Save up to 950 StoresThe retailer, which recently filed Chapter 11, inked a deal to sell its North American business and intellectual property.
MajorsAug 21, 2025
Target Names New CEO as Sales Continue to Lag Target CEO Brian Cornell will step down in February and be replaced by the company’s chief operating officer, Michael Fiddelke.
