diamond tariffs

New Tariffs Are CRAZY... Should You Buy Your Diamond Ring Now or Later?

President Donald Trump just dropped a bombshell—effective immediately, there’s a 25% tariff on all goods coming from India, plus an additional penalty tied to India’s trade with Russia.

Now, here’s why this is such a big deal in our world: India handles 90% of the cutting and polishing for the world’s diamonds. That’s right—whether they’re mined in Africa, Russia, or Canada, most natural diamonds travel to India for cutting before making their way to the U.S.

And for lab-grown diamonds? Many of those are grown in India or China, meaning this tariff impacts both markets in a huge way.

What This Means for the Jewelry Industry

This isn’t just a price tag problem—this tariff could disrupt the entire flow of finished diamonds into the U.S.

In the short term:

  • Prices go up 25% overnight for anything coming from India—finished jewelry, loose diamonds, lab-grown, and natural.

  • Custom jewelry timelines will get longer. Sourcing could slow down, and rerouting to avoid the tariff might cause further delays.

My Immediate Advice: Buy Now

When this news first broke, I told my customers to “hold your horses” and wait it out in case this was temporary. But now? I’m telling you: if you’re thinking about proposing, celebrating an anniversary, or gifting jewelry—buy now.

Long-Term Impact

Yes, other countries do cut diamonds—but India’s scale, speed, and expertise are unmatched. Trying to shift production overnight could mean:

  • Higher costs

  • Less precision in specialty cuts

  • Longer wait times for large carats

Some may push for U.S.-based cutting, but we simply don’t have the same scale or labor force for it—and pricing would be higher.

If no trade deal is reached, this could create a global bottleneck, reshaping where the world’s diamonds are finished and keeping prices elevated for years.

Why Craftsmanship Still Matters Most

Here’s the good news—people will still fall in love, get engaged, and celebrate life’s milestones. Even during COVID lockdowns, proposals and weddings didn’t stop.

The key? Invest in craftsmanship.
 The perfect diamond means nothing if the setting is poorly made. At By Bonnie, every piece is meticulously crafted to highlight your diamond’s brilliance.

Because we work with a global network, we have sourcing flexibility—meaning we can still find incredible diamonds cut outside India where tariffs don’t apply.

Final Thoughts

While the diamond market shifts, our By Bonnie clients can rest assured that quality, rarity, and brilliance always come first.

So, if you’ve been thinking about that special piece, my advice is simple: now is the time.

Do you think this tariff will stick? Let’s chat in my DMs—I want to hear your thoughts! And of course, follow me on Instagram @bybonniejewelry for more updates, behind-the-scenes curation, and expert advice.

 

Back to blog