David J. Bonaparte

David J. Bonaparte is President & CEO of Jewelers of America, the leading national association for businesses serving the fine jewelry marketplace in the U.S. Jewelers of America and its members maintain a deep commitment to high social, environmental and ethical practices.

Since his appointment to the role in 2013, he has been dedicated to the association’s mission of improving consumer confidence in the jewelry industry through his advocacy work in Washington, D.C., and through global initiatives.

Bonaparte spearheads Jewelers of America’s legislative advocacy in Washington, D.C., often representing the jewelry industry in key meetings with Congressional leaders, the Federal Trade Commission and other industry stakeholders.

He was instrumental in the association’s efforts to overturn the U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Quill Corp. v. North Dakota that created an uneven playing field on sales taxation between traditional and online sellers. With the milestone ruling overturned in 2018, states can now collect sales taxes equally from both traditional retailers and sellers without a physical in-state presence.

Under Bonaparte’s leadership, Jewelers of America has grown to include several successful strategic partnerships. In 2015, he led the acquisition of National Jeweler magazine, considered the only media outlet that is run by the jewelry industry for the benefit of the industry. In 2017, Bonaparte completed a strategic affiliation with DCA (Diamond Council of America), which enhances benefits to both JA and DCA memberships by providing quality education to the next generation of industry leaders.

Prior to his appointment at Jewelers of America, Bonaparte served as Sr. Vice President for the JCK portfolio of products and was the Global leader for the jewelry portfolio at Reed Exhibitions worldwide.

Bonaparte is actively involved in many jewelry industry organizations and serves as Treasurer of the U.S. Jewelry Council and sits on the Board of Directors of the Jewelers Security Alliance. He is also a member of the Women’s Jewelry Association and the 24 Karat Club of New York and Southern California. He received the Jewelers Security Alliance Industry Service Award in 2009 and the Ben Kaiser Lifetime Achievement Award from the Women’s Jewelry Association in 2014.