International News
US Watch and jewelry sales remain steady in March, overall increase of 0.4 percent
US Watch and jewelry sales remained steady in March, with a slight overall increase of 0.4 per cent, according to the latest US Department of Commerce figures. Jewelry sales rose slightly, while
Watch and jewelry sales in the US remained steady in March, with a slight overall increase of 0.4 per cent, according to the latest US Department of Commerce figures. Jewelry sales rose slightly, while watch sales dipped, as consumers opted for higher-priced items, but bought fewer of them.
In February overall sales increased by just 0.2 per cent and in January they fell by 1.0 per cent
The US government’s BEA (Bureau of Economic Analysis) reported a 0.7 per cent increase in consumer spending in March, the biggest increase for two years, but said it was largely driven by a rush to buy cars before US reciprocal tariffs forced prices up.
Watch and jewelry sales have been characterized by very modest increases in recent months, following on from a year of sustained growth – 10 per cent or more in some months – as shown below.
Reciprocal US tariffs – announced in April, then paused until July – will almost certainly hit sales, as producers forced to either absorb the costs or pass them on to consumers.
International News
JA Lobbies For Exemptions As US Threatens 100% Tariffs
To Shield The Supply Chain, JA Is Petitioning Washington To Place Diamonds, Gemstones, and Pearls On The U.S. Annex II List, Which Designates Products Eligible For Duty-Free Entry Into The United States.
– Jewelers of America (JA) has intensified its lobbying efforts in Washington to secure sweeping tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls, as new legislation opens the door to potential 100% duties on imports from major trade partners including India.
The industry group sent a delegation of executives and members to Capitol Hill on Sept. 15 for its annual “Fly-In” event, pressing lawmakers to safeguard the trade from broad trade penalties aimed at supporters of Russia’s energy sector.
The delegation, led by JA President and Chief Executive David J. Bonaparte, met with key lawmakers, including Senators Dick Durbin and Susan Collins and Representatives Jim Jordan and Dave Joyce.
The increased lobbying push coincided with Congress weighing the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act of 2026. Passed by the House of Representatives on Sept. 16 and signed into law by President Donald Trump on Sept. 18, the legislation grants executive authority to levy tariffs of up to 100% on the five largest buyers of Russian oil and natural gas, as well as top facilitators of sanctions evasion.
India, a primary global hub for diamond cutting and polishing, is among the top buyers of Russian crude and faces potential exposure under the law’s discretionary tariff authority.
To shield the supply chain, JA is petitioning Washington to place diamonds, gemstones, and pearls on the U.S. Annex II list, which designates products eligible for duty-free entry into the United States.
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