50% Tariff on Gemstones? What That Actually Means for You — And What to Shop Before It Entirely Hits

Let’s break it down.

You’re not just buying gemstones. You’re choosing something intimate — for yourself, for your craft, or for someone who matters.

But here’s the thing most sellers won’t say out loud:
The U.S. just announced a proposed 50% tariff on gemstones coming in from Indian soil to America — 25% already in effect, and another 25% likely to stack soon. That’s not just tax.That’s tension.That’s a tariff war in the language of customs forms and delayed packages.

And for us at SilverSmith Gems, it’s real.

Stones That Are Already Affected by the US Tariff Spikes:

• Amethyst (Arizona and North Carolina)
  

• Topaz (Utah)
  

• Turquoise (Nevada, Arizona, New Mexico)
  

• Peridot (Arizona)
  

• Garnet (Idaho, New York)
  

• Sapphire (Montana)
  

• Emerald (North Carolina)
  

• Agate (Montana, South Dakota)
  

• Sunstone (Oregon)
  

• Ammolite (Montana)
  

• Rhodochrosite (Colorado)
  

• Red Beryl (Utah)
  

• Herkimer Diamond (New York)
  

• Jade (Wyoming)
  

• Diamond (Arkansas)
  

And yes, we’ve sourced most of these from their origin, not wholesalers, for quality and traceability.

What It Means for You — The Buyer, Maker, or Collector

We’re not raising prices overnight. That’s not how we operate. But yes, in the next 2–3 months, you’ll start to feel it. Some stones may take longer to restock. Some will jump in price. And some — especially turquoise — might become almost luxury-level if you’re chasing the high-grade cuts.

We believe in transparency, so here’s what we recommend:

Stones You Should Absolutely Add to Cart Right Now:

• Turquoise (Kingman + Royston) — Already under pressure, no question.
  

• Obsidian (Snowflake + Rainbow) — Demand is climbing and stocks are regional.
  

• Sunstone (Oregon) — This one’s going to become niche-luxury fast.
  

• Petrified Wood (Patterned slabs) — Rare and heavy = pricier shipping = bigger tariff bump.
  

• Labradorite (Oregon-sourced) — The flashier the piece, the rarer, the steeper the future price.

We’re not being pushy. We’re just trying to be fair and forward-thinking with our people.

Our POV as SilverSmith Gems:

We’re not here to fearmonger. We’re here to prepare you. Because while headlines scream about global policy and trade tensions, you’re the one making real decisions:
Do I grab it now or wait? Do I stock up or pivot?

And we’re right beside you — curating, adjusting, and absorbing what we can, while still giving you access to the stones you love without inflating what doesn’t need to be.

So if you’re thinking of that one turquoise cabochon or that fiery sunstone you’ve been eyeing? This might be your sign. Not because of panic — but because of planning.

P.S. We're working on direct collaboration drops with some of our US-based lapidaries to offset some of these tariff costs where possible. It’s slow work — but real work. And we’ll keep sharing the behind-the-scenes with you.

SilverSmith Gems

“Legacy, not just listings.”