NRF to Congress: Round 2 of economic stimulus needed
Washington--The National Retail Federation (NRF) is calling on Congress to hold a lame-duck session as soon as possible to address the country's financial state and to include tax relief for consumers...
NRF to Congress: Round 2 of economic stimulus needed
Washington—The National Retail Federation (NRF) is calling on Congress to hold a lame-duck session as soon as possible to address the country's financial state and to include tax relief for...
J.C. Penney named 'Best Place to Work'
Plano, Texas—For the second consecutive year, the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) has given J.C. Penney a top rating on its Corporate Equality Index, which measures employers on their treatment of...
Report: Kimberley Process becoming less effective
Ottawa, Ontario—The Kimberley Process, the steps put in place to stop the trade of "blood" diamonds, is losing ground in some of the world's most troubled countries, a new report shows.
JA applauds Burmese gem ban
New York—Jewelers of America (JA) commends the U.S. Congress for its passage this week of a bill banning Burmese gemstones, a measure JA has been advocating for some time.
ICA: Gem ban could hurt Burmese miners, traders
New York—The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) is expressing concern that the recently approved U.S. import ban on gemstones from Myanmar may "cause collateral damage" that will...
JA praises passage of store-improvement legislation
New York--Jewelers of America (JA) welcomes the two-year extension of the 15-year depreciation on store improvements recently signed into law by President Bush.
Burmese ruby ban takes effect
Washington--A long-expected U.S. ban on gemstones from Myanmar took effect on Monday, 60 days from the date that President Bush signed the Tom Lantos Block Burmese JADE Act of 2008 into law.
JA praises passage of store-improvement legislation
New York—Jewelers of America (JA) welcomes the two-year extension of the 15-year depreciation on store improvements recently signed into law by President Bush.
FinCEN issues new guidance for jewelry dealers
New York—The U.S. Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) has issued new guidance for the jewelry industry clarifying the risk assessment to be performed by dealers of precious metals,...
U.S.-Belgian treaty cuts double taxation
Washington, D.C.—A new treaty between the United States and Belgium designed to avoid double taxation is the first in a series of measures the Belgian government is taking to draw more foreign...
Survey: Small-business optimism shrinking
New York--Economic challenges and rising energy costs have small-business owners feeling less secure about their future, according to a semi-annual survey of business owners by American Express Open.
JVC goes 'green' with new compliance kit
New York—The Jewelers Vigilance Committee (JVC) is the latest industry organization to go "green," releasing an eco-friendly Green USA Patriot Act Compliance Kit, or Green Pack.
Retail e-commerce rebounds in April
Reston, Va.—Retail e-commerce increased 15 percent in April compared with the same period last year, following an increase of just 9 percent in March, according to comScore Inc.
Survey: Small-business optimism shrinking
New York—Economic challenges and rising energy costs have small-business owners feeling less secure about their future, according to a semi-annual survey of business owners by American Express...
Taylor trial resumes with blood-diamond testimony
The Hague, Netherlands—The war crimes trial of former Liberian President Charles Taylor resumed on Monday after a six-month break, reopening with graphic video testimony from alleged victims of...
India to strike deal with DRC
Mumbai, India—India is likely to ink a diamond cooperation deal with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) during DRC Foreign Minister Antipas Mbusa Nyamwisi's current visit to India, the...
Need a primer in legal compliance?
New York—Rough-diamond jewelers attending the JCK Las Vegas show next month will have the opportunity to learn more about legal compliance with the Kimberley Process and the Clean Diamond Trade...
Jewelers oppose Alaska gold mine
Washington, D.C.—Tiffany and Co., Ben Bridge Jeweler, Fortunoff, Helzberg Diamonds and Leber Jeweler all pledged their support today to permanently protect Alaska's Bristol Bay watershed from...
George Clooney pressures Omega Watches on Darfur
London—Actor and Omega Watches ambassador George Clooney is putting pressure on the watch brand to speak out over China's foreign policy in Sudan, an area where genocide is taking place,...