International News
Jewellery exporters leveraging digital marketing to access US market
Indian jewellery exporters are leveraging digital marketing to enhance online sales in the US to mitigate potential tariff impacts. Taking advantage of the de minimis exemption, they aim to boost ecommerce transactions by promoting direct-to-consumer sales and simplifying cross-border logistics with partners like DHL.
Indian jewellery exporters are using digital marketing to push online sales among potential buyers in the US, as they look for ways to minimize the impact of reciprocal tariffs, which the Trump administration has threatened to bring into effect from April 2.
The US allows jewellery worth up to $800 to enter the country free of tariffs and with minimal customs inspection and processing. Most of these imports, shipped by postal and express delivery services, are retail products purchased online.
In early February, the Trump administration announced it would immediately eliminate the “de minimis exemption” for low-value shipments arriving from China. The announcement led to a backlog of packages at the US ports of entry. When the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) realised that it was not prepared to deal with the huge volume of packages, the Trump administration backed off and instead announced it would create a process for eventually eliminating the exemption for China.
“As global trade shifts from multilateral to bilateral frameworks, the de minimis principle-allowing small-value, direct to consumer (D2C) parcels to enter duty-free-offers Indian exporters, especially in gems and jewellery, a significant advantage,” Kirit Bhansali, Chairman GJEPC said. “This simplified process provides direct access to consumers worldwide without duties. It is estimated that 70-80% of ecommerce exports fall under US$ 200, making gems and jewellery an ideal fit due to their low weight, which reduces logistics costs.
According to GJEPC’s forecast, the US jewellery ecommerce market is expected to reach $6,608.1 million in 2025. The expected compound annual growth rate for the next four years (CAGR for 2025-2029) is 3.9%, resulting in a projected market volume of $7,714.9 million by 2029.
Trade sources said that many mid- and small-sized Indian jewellery retailers are selling their products in the US through different e-commerce sites.
International News
Precious metals refining in crisis ; driven by rising commodity prices, limited refining capacity, and tight credit
The precious metals refining industry is in crisis as of January 30, 2026, due to skyrocketing commodity prices, limited refining capacity, and tight credit. Major refiners like Metalor and United Precious Metal Refining have halted new shipments, paused payments, and prioritized existing customers. This stems from a surge in trade-ins—gold hit $5,500/oz before dropping to $4,700/oz, silver reached $50/oz—overwhelming a shrunken U.S. capacity post-2019 closures of firms like Republic Metals.
Root Causes
High prices sparked massive investor and retail sell-offs of jewelry and scrap, tripling purchase volumes year-over-year. Structural bottlenecks persist: U.S. refineries, reduced to dozens, handle reservoir-scale inflows via “garden hose” infrastructure. Debt-financed models exacerbate issues—14-day processing cycles stretched to 60-90 days, payments from 48 hours to 14 days, exhausting credit lines amid doubled prices and interest costs. Banks hesitate to lend amid volatility, like gold’s $700 weekly plunge, making expanded operations unprofitable.
Key metrics
Key metrics underscore the acute strain on the precious metals refining sector: purchase volumes have surged to a 3x year-over-year increase, while gold prices have doubled over the same period; processing cycle times have ballooned from 14 days to 60-90 days, and payment cycles stretched from 48 hours to 14 days; silver recovery timelines now project 6-8 months to clear backlogs.
 Capacity expansion lags due to infrastructure, regulations, and training needs. Jewelry retailers suffer cash flow hits from delayed scrap payments, disrupting supply chains like pre-holiday rushes.
Market Outlook and Recovery
 Disruptions are seen as temporary liquidity crunches, not insolvency. Gold’s price retreat signals moderation; silver backlogs may take 6-8 months (e.g., Kitco halted silver buys). Stabilization should restore credit and operations, viewed as a historic event demanding better resilience.
Strategic Recommendations
- Refiners: Enhance customer communication, optimize capital, plan long-term capacity. Retailers: Revise cash planning, diversify refiners, inform customers.
- Stakeholders: View as manageable pause; track volatility and backlogs.
Stay informed. Stay Inspired. Ahead of the curve. With JewelBuzz, India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Trade Magazine.
Ashth: Built on pillars of Innovation, Ethics and Unmatched Craftsmanship
The JewelBuzz E-zine: Your Fortnightly Pulse of the Jewellery Industry
2026 THE ROAD AHEAD: Tradition Meets Technology, Sustainability, Personalization
AWDC Hails EU-India Trade Pact, Sees Strong Export Boost for Antwerp-Polished Diamonds in India
WGC: Gold Investment Rockets in 2025, Setting a New High as Uncertainty Bites
-
JB Insights4 days ago2026 THE ROAD AHEAD: Tradition Meets Technology, Sustainability, Personalization
-
BrandBuzz1 week agoRanbir Kapoor Joins PNG Jewellers as the new Ambassador, Ushering in a New Chapter of Legacy and Modernity
-
New Premises1 week agoAimee Baruah Opens Grand Showroom of Manik Chand Nand Kishore Jewellers in Dibrugarh
-
DiamondBuzz3 days agoAWDC Hails EU-India Trade Pact, Sees Strong Export Boost for Antwerp-Polished Diamonds in India
JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.