The JA Report: News, Tips & Trends from Jewelers of America

Kimberley Process Plenary Update for U.S. Jewelers

The Kimberley Process Plenary -- held October 31 to November 3, 2011, in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo -- concluded with the Kimberley Process Certification Scheme (KPCS) still intact.

Jewelers of America (JA) is encouraged that steps were taken to preserve the monitoring system, but continues to have specific concerns related to goods from the Marange region of Zimbabwe, which now have a green light from the KP. The association remains very concerned about alleged human rights abuses in the region, as well the impact of legal issues surrounding these diamonds.

In fact, the decision to allow exports from Marange presents a serious challenge for U.S. businesses. That's because goods from the region are mined by companies with strong connections to Zimbabwean entities and individuals who are sanctioned by the U.S. Department of Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC).

While these diamonds can now get KP Certificates, U.S. companies are prohibited from purchasing them, either directly or indirectly.

Jewelers of America Gets Sales Tax Fairness Recognition

Jewelers of America was among a small group of influential organizations to receive acknowledgement from Senator Mike Enzi (R-WY) on November 9, during introduction of the Marketplace Fairness Act (S.1832), a broadly bipartisan sales tax fairness bill.

From the Senate floor, Sen. Enzi asked for and received unanimous consent to enter Jewelers of America’s letter of support for the bill into the Congressional Record. JA was one of 12 supporting organizations the Senator mentioned by name.

JA continues to support all sales tax fairness proposals, but we believe the Marketplace Fairness Act represents the best opportunity for this legislation to pass. Learn more about sales tax fairness and how you can take action to support it today!

Watch Sen. Enzi introduce the bill -- in a video after the jump.

JAPAC Talks Retail Jewelry Issues with Capitol Hill Elite

Jewelers of America (JA) leaders and board members of JAPAC, the Jewelers of America Political Action Committee, met with legislators in Washington, D.C. on June 22 to ask them to support issues that impact jewelry businesses. We've included photos from the successful trip below.

JAPAC is the only PAC that supports the fine retail jewelry industry in on the federal level. Jewelers of America members can contribute to and learn more about JAPAC by visiting  www.jewelers.org/retail/r_JAPAC/.

JA Featuring Cruise Giveaways, Members-Only Lounge @ JA New York Show!

You don't want to miss a visit to the Jewelers of America Booth #1582 at the JA New York Summer Show, Sunday, July 24-Tuesday, July 26. We're featuring even more exciting member perks, giveaways and show specials than ever before.

Cruise Giveaway!

• The first 200 booth visitors will receive a 2-for-1 voucher for a Norwegian Cruise Lines cruise!
• You can also enter our special raffle to win a 4-night cruise for two to the Bahamas*, courtesy of Capital Marketing Concepts!
• Meet Denise Horton from Denise Horton of Capitol Marketing Concepts, who can show you how your staff can increase sales with your own Norwegian Cruise Line promotion.

JA CEO Contributes to Diamond Dialogue at JCK Show

Speaking during a panel discussion about the Kimberley Process, at the JCK Show on June 2nd, Jewelers of America President & CEO Matthew A. Runci said retailers can no longer sit back and watch while decisions that impact consumer confidence are made.

"The power of influencing these decisions rests in the hands of everyone in this room and in this building,” Runci told attendees. The session entitled, “Diamond Dialogue: The Challenges of a Robust Kimberley Process,” was hosted by the World Diamond Council (WDC).

Welcome New Retail Jewelry Members!

Our national network of retail jewelry professionals keeps growing. Between April 15-May 15, Jewelers of America accepted 17 new Retail Members. The jewelry companies have locations throughout the U.S. from California to New York.

Jewelers of America welcomes these new Retail Members:

JA to Take Part in Kimberley Process Panel at JCK Show

Media interest and consumer awareness have kept conflict diamonds at the forefront of issues that impact the jewelry industry. The Kimberley Process (KP) remains a central component in dealing with this issue but has faced its own set of challenges.

With that in mind, Jewelers of America President and CEO Matthew A. Runci will take part in a special JCK Show panel session, “Diamond Dialogue: The Challenges of a Robust Kimberley Process,” Thursday, June 2 at 1:30 p.m at Mandalay Bay Resort, Las Vegas.

Welcome March's New JA Members!

March was a busy month at Jewelers of America, with nearly 20 new jewelry firms joining our national fine jewelry retail network, from three countries and 12 states. We'd like to welcome the following new members:

Jewelers Fight Connecticut Luxury Tax

Jewelers of America (JA) applauds former Board Chairman John Green, President and CEO of Lux Bond & Green in West Hartford, CT, for speaking out against a proposed 3% luxury tax on jewelry priced over $5,000 in the state. The new tax was included in Connecticut Gov. Dannel Malloy’s proposed 2012-2013 budget.

Take Action to Stop Luxury Tax
Jewelers of America has joined forces with the CJA to fight the tax. We are urging Connecticut-based jewelry businesses to write Gov. Malloy and their state representatives, using JA’s “Stop the Luxury Tax on Jewelry in Connecticut!” action alert, which includes suggested talking points on the issue.

Go to Jewelers of America's Legislative Action Center to take action today!

JIC Promotes Fall Fine Jewelry Fashion Across Nation

On August 25th, Amanda Gizzi and Helena Krodel, the expert spokespeople for Jewelry Information Center (JIC) -- Jewelers of America's consumer education arm, performed more than 30 television interviews about fall fine jewelry trends on morning shows across the nation. The media tour promoted the jewelry collections of Jewelers of America Supplier Members, while motivating audiences to seek out Jewelers of America Retail Member stores for their fine jewelry purchases.

How can anyone manage to be in 30 cities in one day?  If anyone can, it is the JIC ladies!

Helena Krodel (left) and Amanda Gizzi, of Jewelry Information Center, showcased
the fall fine jewelry trends on news stations across the country.

JA On The Air: Discussing Diamonds and Consumer Confidence

Jewelers of America Chief Operating Officer Robert Headley represented the association last week on "Midmorning," a Minnesota Public Radio program that was covering conflict diamonds and consumer confidence surrounding the international diamond supply chain. The program, hosted by Kerri Miller, also featured Tom Zoellner, author of The Heartless Stone and Corinna Gilfillan of the non-governmental organization (NGO) Global Witness. Headley entered the conversation in the second half hour, representing the views of Jewelers of America retailers in the U.S., who are the closest connection to consumers. The discussion covered the Charles Taylor War Crimes Tribunal, recent decisions regarding diamonds from Zimbabwe's Marange region and what the industry is doing to ensure consumers are buying diamonds that are not from conflict.

Click here for the link to the audio program at JA's In The Media Page.