💎 US/India Tariff Update: Who Wins (and how to play it)
We’re watching a meaningful shift in how the U.S. is treating India-linked stones vs. finished goods - and it’s going to reshape sourcing decisions fast. ✅ Likely winners 1) India (Natural Stones Ecosystem) India strengthens its position as the global “value-add bridge” for natural diamonds + colored gemstones—and for many buyers, that also reinforces the hard-asset / store-of-value narrative around natural stones. Strategically: as global trade blocs evolve (including BRICS discussions), India sits in a unique position between USD-based trade and emerging settlement frameworks—with natural gemstones remaining a portable, globally recognized value category. 2) U.S.-based Lab-Grown Diamond (LGD) manufacturers If imported LGD carries higher friction (tariffs/fees), domestic LGD producers gain a price umbrella and a competitiveness boost. 3) Smart U.S. retailers + wholesalers (operators win) Those who redesign their workflow to minimize tariff exposure and protect margin will come out ahead. 💎Winning strategy for U.S. retailers & wholesalers (simple + effective) 1) Do partial assembly after casting - Cast domestically (or import castings/components where viable) - Keep final setting + finishing + QC in the U.S. - This improves control, reduces rework risk, and can keep more value-add onshore (and often helps with lead times + consistency). 2) Source stones strategically (max cost effectiveness) LGD (best-cost play): - Prioritize U.S.-based LGD supply (or non-India sources with cleaner landed cost) for your “value-forward” programs and fast-turn eComm pieces.- Lock pricing with a primary supplier + a backup to avoid volatility. 💎Natural Diamonds / Colored Gemstones (best-position play): - If the tariff pathway favors natural loose stones, India becomes even more compelling for cut/polished natural + colored gems (especially calibrated parcels and commercial-to-fine quality ranges). - Use natural stones for hero pieces, bridal, and “legacy” narratives where long-term value perception matters most.