WatchesJul 09, 2021
Net-a-Porter, Mr Porter Selling Pre-Owned Watches for the First Time SurveysAug 30, 2021
5 Things to Know About The RealReal’s Resale Report
Rolex and Retrouvaí are among the top luxury resale brands, as per The RealReal’s annual report.
A one-of-a-kind Retrouvaí “Lollipop” ring in 14-karat yellow gold, featuring a round green tourmaline set into white quartz ($8,660). The brand was highlighted in The RealReal’s annual Resale Report.
San Francisco—High-value luxury purchases have been on the rise throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, according to a new report from The RealReal.
The luxury consignment company compiled data from more than 17 million members in its annual Resale Report to plot out the current state of luxury resale.
“Despite the current economic climate, shoppers doubled down on safer investments from established luxury brands offering timeless styles and strong resale value,” said The RealReal.
Across several categories, like jewelry and watches, sales of high-value items ($1,000 or more) outpaced that of low-value ones (less than $1,000).
Here are five things to know about the new report.
Louis Vuitton claimed the top spot.
Louis Vuitton was in the No. 1 spot, surpassing Gucci (No. 2) for the first time. Its monogrammed tote was its best seller in resale.
It’s the second consecutive year that Louis Vuitton and Gucci topped the list of the most in-demand brands in luxury resale, bolstered by rising demand from millennials and Gen Z shoppers.
However, Gucci is still the No. 1 men’s brand, marking the third year in a row it’s held the title.
Chanel took the No. 3 spot overall, followed by Prada and Hermès.
The most popular Hermès item was its “Clic H” bracelet, priced at $620 and available in a variety of colors.
High-value jewelry and watch sales are booming.
The RealReal’s report found that high-value jewelry sales grew 22 times more than low-value amid the pandemic.
Engagement ring sales spiked in June, said the report.
It highlighted Los Angeles-based jewelry brand Retrouvaí, notable for its “modern heirloom” aesthetic, as an in-demand brand for shoppers looking for “fashion as escapism.”
The brand’s sales more than doubled, up 159 percent year-over-year in 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.
Retrouvaí designer Kirsty Stone recently won a Couture Design Award in the “Best in Bridal” category.
However, unbranded jewelry sales surpassed all of the top fine jewelry brands, with unbranded bracelet and earring sales both up 24 percent.
Looking at the watch category, high-value watch sales grew six times more than low-value ones, while the average resale value of high-value watches is 1.6 times stronger than low-value watches.
Rolex watches were particularly popular, with sales up 32 percent, a jump nine times greater than all the other watches available.
Logos are less important.
Logo-covered clothes and handbags were once all the rage, but the report found “stealth luxury” has grown in popularity.
Statement jewelry slightly fell out of favor, with demand for understated jewelry 1.8 times stronger.
Related stories will be right here …
The luxury consignment company compiled data from more than 17 million members in its annual Resale Report to plot out the current state of luxury resale.
“Despite the current economic climate, shoppers doubled down on safer investments from established luxury brands offering timeless styles and strong resale value,” said The RealReal.
Across several categories, like jewelry and watches, sales of high-value items ($1,000 or more) outpaced that of low-value ones (less than $1,000).
Here are five things to know about the new report.
Louis Vuitton claimed the top spot.
Louis Vuitton was in the No. 1 spot, surpassing Gucci (No. 2) for the first time. Its monogrammed tote was its best seller in resale.
It’s the second consecutive year that Louis Vuitton and Gucci topped the list of the most in-demand brands in luxury resale, bolstered by rising demand from millennials and Gen Z shoppers.
However, Gucci is still the No. 1 men’s brand, marking the third year in a row it’s held the title.
Chanel took the No. 3 spot overall, followed by Prada and Hermès.
The most popular Hermès item was its “Clic H” bracelet, priced at $620 and available in a variety of colors.
High-value jewelry and watch sales are booming.
The RealReal’s report found that high-value jewelry sales grew 22 times more than low-value amid the pandemic.
Engagement ring sales spiked in June, said the report.
It highlighted Los Angeles-based jewelry brand Retrouvaí, notable for its “modern heirloom” aesthetic, as an in-demand brand for shoppers looking for “fashion as escapism.”
The brand’s sales more than doubled, up 159 percent year-over-year in 2020 compared with the same period in 2019.
Retrouvaí designer Kirsty Stone recently won a Couture Design Award in the “Best in Bridal” category.
However, unbranded jewelry sales surpassed all of the top fine jewelry brands, with unbranded bracelet and earring sales both up 24 percent.
Looking at the watch category, high-value watch sales grew six times more than low-value ones, while the average resale value of high-value watches is 1.6 times stronger than low-value watches.
Rolex watches were particularly popular, with sales up 32 percent, a jump nine times greater than all the other watches available.
Logos are less important.
Logo-covered clothes and handbags were once all the rage, but the report found “stealth luxury” has grown in popularity.
Statement jewelry slightly fell out of favor, with demand for understated jewelry 1.8 times stronger.
Demand for understated handbags was nearly five times stronger than that of statement handbags, as per the report.
Sales for stealth men’s styles grew 2.4 times more than statement styles.
Streetwear sales are booming.
Streetwear sales are surging, with sales of pieces by traditional luxury brands up 991 percent over the past five years.
“It’s become increasingly clear that traditional luxury houses view streetwear as a force that cannot be ignored—from Dior’s Kim Jones tapping Shawn Stussy to Givenchy welcoming Matthew Williams,” said Sean Conway, sneaker and streetwear expert at The RealReal.
“As the lines between luxury and streetwear continue to blur, shoppers are embracing the new elevated streetwear look,” he said, adding that the luxury brands embracing the trend are some of the top brands in resale.
Balenciaga was the No. 1 brand in the category, with its Speed Trainer sock sneakers being especially popular.
Adidas x Yeezy, the collaboration between the sportswear brand and Kanye West, was in second place, followed by Supreme, Nike, and Off-White.
Interest in luxury resale is on the rise.
Interest in luxury resale overall increased by times 22 during the pandemic, as brands and retailers looked to connect with buyers during the brick-and-mortar slump.
“In a bright spot during these difficult times, brands, shoppers, and consignors alike are engaging in the circular economy,” said Rati Levesque, COO and head of merchandising for The RealReal.
“Gen Z, millennials, and men are the new faces of luxury shopping, and the brands in tune with what they want are rising to the top.”
The number of new consignors increased 27 percent during the pandemic, of which 37 percent were millennials and Gen Z.
Resale appealed to consumers amid economic uncertainty and environmental consciousness, said The RealReal, while virtual appointments made it a more convenient option.
Read the full report by The RealReal here.
More on Surveys
The Latest
CollectionsApr 08, 2026
Hearts On Fire Celebrates 30 Years By Asking a QuestionThe “What’s Your Signature?” campaign invites women to think about how they see themselves.
SourcingApr 08, 2026
Sale of 42-Carat Blue Diamond Gives Petra a Boost in Q3The big diamond’s sale added to the company’s revenue though the market remains “challenging” overall, particularly for smaller goods.
Events & AwardsApr 08, 2026
AGS Confluence Returns with AI, Sustainability SessionsRob Bates of The Jewelry Wire will also moderate a panel on the state of the jewelry industry during the virtual event.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
Events & AwardsApr 08, 2026
TJS to Honor 2 Longtime Former Stuller EmployeesThe Jewelry Symposium will honor two industry veterans with lifetime achievement awards at its upcoming May event.
Weekly QuizApr 02, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TrendsApr 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: April’s Brilliant Birthstone With their durability, brilliance, and beauty, diamonds are the perfect stone for everyday birthstone jewelry.
MajorsApr 07, 2026
QVC Group’s Latest Filing Calls Its Future Into QuestionThe retailer failed to file its annual report on time and said it may issue a going concern warning.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
ColumnistsApr 07, 2026
Peter Smith: A Tip to the Post Office on Workplace CultureSmith recounts a recent trip to the post office that included an uncomfortable, embarrassing, and public exchange between two employees.
GradingApr 07, 2026
GIA CFO David Tearle to Retire in June John Cowley, who has more than 30 years of experience, is succeeding Tearle as the lab’s chief financial officer.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Nerd Out Over Gemology Geek’s First Jewelry CollectionFounder Erica Silverglide has designed 35 colorful pieces set with fluorescing gemstones for the brand's first finished jewelry offering.
CollectionsApr 07, 2026
Ukrainian Jewelers Highlighted In New Book“Ukrainian Jewelry | Contemporary Jewelry and Art Jewelry from Ukraine” features 33 contemporary Ukrainian designers and studios.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Fope’s New Jewelry Debuts Are Golden“The Golden Now” campaign celebrates the here and now with the brand’s signature styles and a selection of its new pieces.
MajorsApr 06, 2026
Kecia Caffie, Corinne Bentzen No Longer With Signet JewelersSignet confirmed that Caffie, president of Zales and Banter, and Bentzen, who headed Blue Nile, have left the company.
CollectionsApr 06, 2026
Historian Tanzy Ward Pens Book on Black Victorians’ JewelryThe antique jewelry dealer talks about the importance of including Black Americans in jewelry history and preserving their stories.
SourcingApr 06, 2026
Gemfields Reports $51M Loss in 2025Both its mines faced challenges last year, from operational issues to disruptions in the market.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Taylor Swift’s ‘Elizabeth Taylor’ Video Puts Jewelry Front and CenterIconic pieces, like the Mike Todd Diamond Tiara, appear in the superstar’s new music video for her song inspired by the actress.
MajorsApr 03, 2026
Saks Global Says It Will Emerge From Bankruptcy This SummerThe luxury retailer, which went Chapter 11 in January, announced Thursday that it has secured $500 million in exit financing.
Events & AwardsApr 03, 2026
JCK Luxury, NouvelleBox Partner on New Designer BallroomThe NouvelleBox ballroom will feature independent jewelry designers, including Lene Vibe, Wyld Box Jewelry, and Kiaia Limited.
CollectionsApr 03, 2026
Buddha Mama Brings Its ‘Moon’ Locket To DallasThe one-of-a-kind locket, our Piece of the Week, opens to reveal three hidden images to keep close to your heart.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Pandora Opens New Canadian Distribution Center Amid Tariff ConcernsThe new facility was also designed to better serve its growing customer base in Canada.
TrendsApr 02, 2026
Michelle Yeoh Fronts New Mikimoto Campaign The campaign is a tribute to the year 1893, when Kokichi Mikimoto created the world’s first cultured pearl.
GradingApr 02, 2026
GIA Debuts New Campus in TaiwanIt is the only GIA school to offer the GIA Graduate Gemologist program in Chinese.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
DCA Launches ‘Second Spark’ Workforce InitiativeThe initiative connects veterans and parents returning to the workforce with careers in jewelry retail.
MajorsApr 02, 2026
Hoover & Strong Names New National Sales RepresentativeThe wholesale manufacturer and precious metals refiner has appointed Michael Angelo as its new national sales representative.
MajorsApr 01, 2026
Foundrae Sues Pandora for Allegedly Copying Its Medallion DesignsFoundrae also accused the jewelry giant of copying its mood board style of marketing.
AuctionsApr 01, 2026
John Jacob Astor IV’s Titanic Pocket Watch Heads to AuctionA Patek Philippe for Tiffany & Co. timepiece owned by the American businessman who died on the Titanic will be offered at Freeman's Chicago.
