Things to Know
A Voice for the Jewelry Industry: Michael’s Trip to Washington, D.C.
Published: Oct 6, 2025
This September, Hingham Jewelers’ third-generation owner, Michael Page, joined fellow members of Jewelers of America in Washington, D.C. to advocate on behalf of the jewelry industry. The annual “fly-in” brought together independent jewelers from across the country to meet directly with lawmakers and discuss pressing issues that impact both small businesses and consumers.
During his meetings on Capitol Hill, Michael emphasized two key priorities: combating organized retail crime and addressing the effects of tariffs on jewelry imports.
The proposed Organized Retail Crime Act seeks to strengthen law enforcement’s ability to identify and prosecute coordinated theft rings that have increasingly targeted jewelry stores and other retailers. These crimes often involve sophisticated, multi-state operations that threaten the safety of employees and customers, while also driving up costs for legitimate businesses. The bill would establish a federal coordination center to improve communication among agencies and support multi-jurisdictional investigations.
Michael also spoke with legislators about the ongoing challenges posed by tariffs on imported diamonds & gemstones. Because many of these materials cannot be sourced domestically, tariffs function as an added cost on essential goods. For family-owned stores like Hingham Jewelers, these policies directly influence pricing, inventory, and the ability to compete in a global marketplace. Jewelers of America continues to advocate for tariff relief on items that have no viable U.S. production, ensuring fairer trade and more stable costs for both businesses and customers.
“Engaging with lawmakers on these issues was an invaluable experience,” said Michael. “Our conversations helped put a local face on national policy, showing how trade decisions and crime legislation affect family businesses like ours and the customers we serve every day.”
