SurveysAug 18, 2021
Jewelry Sales Soared in July, Says MastercardEvents & AwardsAug 30, 2021
At JCK, 5 Panelists Give Their Outlook on the State of the Industry
Sarin Bachmann, David Bonaparte, Detria Courtalis, Tirath Kamdar, and Miya Owens talk about the last 18 months and what lies ahead.
Las Vegas—Jewelry sales were strong in 2020, driven by consumers’ desire for meaningful gifts and the funneling of money to fine jewelry from other categories.
And the Roaring ’20s have continued into this year as the industry has quickly adapted to the new normal created by COVID-19, the guests at a JCK Las Vegas keynote talk said Saturday morning.
Sarin Bachmann, David Bonaparte, Pandora’s Detria Courtalis, eBay’s Tirath Kamdar, and Miya Owens sat down with Mary McGinty, the National Retail Federation’s vice president of communication and public affairs, for a discussion that centered on the last 18 months in retail and what lies ahead.
According to data shared during the discussion, U.S. jewelry store sales dropped 72 percent in March and April of 2020, as COVID-19 forced physical stores to close and consumers, in general, were uncertain and scared.
As of February 2021, jewelry store sales are up 25 percent year-over-year—meaning people are spending more on jewelry than they were pre-pandemic in the U.S.—with money that normally would have been spent on dining out, going out, and travel funneled to fine jewelry last year.
Kamdar, who noted eBay recorded a significant jump in sales, put it like this: “People were not spending on experiences anymore. They were at home, but they thought, ‘I still want to get my luxury experience.’”
The good times have continued to roll into the middle of 2021. A recent MasterCard SpendingPulse survey showed jewelry sales jumped 83 percent year-over-year in July and are up 54 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels.
And the NRF’s forecast calls for a great holiday ahead, with McGinty noting during the keynote that household wealth is at an all-time high.
In June, the NRF increased its outlook for retail sales in 2021. Spurred by the resiliency of consumer spending, the organization is now forecasting 10.5 percent to 13.5 percent year-over-year growth, up from its previous prediction of 6.5 percent to 8.2 percent growth.
Courtalis, who is Pandora’s vice president of wholesale sales, said while it is unknown exactly what the second half of 2021 will hold, Pandora knows it needs to meet the consumer where they want to shop, whether that’s online, in stores safely, or some combination of both.
She said Pandora does expect to have a strong holiday season.
“We have to be very smart, though,” she noted, “and we have to have a plan.”
Courtalis also mentioned the importance of getting the brand in front of Gen Z consumers, noting twice during the discussion how key TikTok is for reaching this generation.
Related stories will be right here …
And the Roaring ’20s have continued into this year as the industry has quickly adapted to the new normal created by COVID-19, the guests at a JCK Las Vegas keynote talk said Saturday morning.
Sarin Bachmann, David Bonaparte, Pandora’s Detria Courtalis, eBay’s Tirath Kamdar, and Miya Owens sat down with Mary McGinty, the National Retail Federation’s vice president of communication and public affairs, for a discussion that centered on the last 18 months in retail and what lies ahead.
According to data shared during the discussion, U.S. jewelry store sales dropped 72 percent in March and April of 2020, as COVID-19 forced physical stores to close and consumers, in general, were uncertain and scared.
As of February 2021, jewelry store sales are up 25 percent year-over-year—meaning people are spending more on jewelry than they were pre-pandemic in the U.S.—with money that normally would have been spent on dining out, going out, and travel funneled to fine jewelry last year.
Kamdar, who noted eBay recorded a significant jump in sales, put it like this: “People were not spending on experiences anymore. They were at home, but they thought, ‘I still want to get my luxury experience.’”
The good times have continued to roll into the middle of 2021. A recent MasterCard SpendingPulse survey showed jewelry sales jumped 83 percent year-over-year in July and are up 54 percent compared to pre-pandemic levels.
And the NRF’s forecast calls for a great holiday ahead, with McGinty noting during the keynote that household wealth is at an all-time high.
In June, the NRF increased its outlook for retail sales in 2021. Spurred by the resiliency of consumer spending, the organization is now forecasting 10.5 percent to 13.5 percent year-over-year growth, up from its previous prediction of 6.5 percent to 8.2 percent growth.
Courtalis, who is Pandora’s vice president of wholesale sales, said while it is unknown exactly what the second half of 2021 will hold, Pandora knows it needs to meet the consumer where they want to shop, whether that’s online, in stores safely, or some combination of both.
She said Pandora does expect to have a strong holiday season.
“We have to be very smart, though,” she noted, “and we have to have a plan.”
Courtalis also mentioned the importance of getting the brand in front of Gen Z consumers, noting twice during the discussion how key TikTok is for reaching this generation.
Saturday morning’s keynote also included conversations on the other big issue of 2020—the push for racial justice and equity that arose after the police killing of George Floyd in May 2020.
Among the changes the racial reckoning brought about in the jewelry industry was the creation of the Black in Jewelry Coalition, an organization created for the advancement of Black professionals in the jewelry and watch industry.
Owens, a BIJC co-founder who is also the Jewelers Vigilance Committee’s associate counsel and director of mediation, said the industry needs to continue to foster the launch of Black-owned companies and provide mentorship to Black business owners so existing businesses can grow.
Mentorship is also needed in high schools so young Black people know there are fulfilling careers available in jewelry, which is something she did not realize when she was in school.
When panelists were asked for their biggest takeaways from the past year-and-a-half, Owens said people need to not be afraid to have uncomfortable conversations about race and they need to act in order to make change.
“Do better; just don’t talk about it. Operationalize these discussions,” she said.
For Bonaparte, the president and CEO of Jewelers of America, the biggest takeaway was the way the industry came together to support each other during COVID-19, while Pandora’s Courtalis emphasized the importance of listening to your team and over-communicating.
Both Bachmann, the group vice president of RX Jewelry Group, and Kamdar, the senior director and general manager of luxury at eBay, said their biggest takeaway was the importance of being open to change.
“Things are going to be different for a while,” Bachmann noted.
Both Bachmann, the group vice president of RX Jewelry Group, and Kamdar, the senior director and general manager of luxury at eBay, said their biggest takeaway was the importance of being open to change.
“Things are going to be different for a while,” Bachmann noted.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
MajorsOct 23, 2026
PGI USA Set to Close at Year’s EndThe closure is part of a global restructuring that also includes PGI winding down its operations in Japan, South Korea, and Hong Kong.
SourcingOct 23, 2026
Rachel Chalchinsky’s ‘Survivor Tribute’ RingThe ring, our Piece of the Week, was designed by eight-year breast cancer survivor Rachel Chalchinsky of Color Source Gems.
TechnologyOct 23, 2026
JA Unveils New Website, LogoThe website offers enhanced member benefit access, industry directories, educational resources, a job board, and access to the MJSA Journal.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsOct 23, 2026
Kering’s Jewelry Sales Up Double Digits in Q3Boucheron and Pomellato had a strong third quarter, with Kering looking at jewelry as an increasingly important part of its portfolio.
Weekly QuizOct 22, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeOct 22, 2026
Jeweler Shot and Killed in His Suburban Cincinnati Store Tara Sinchuri was the owner of Everest Jewels in Fairfield, Ohio, and a father of three. He was found dead in his store on Tuesday.
MajorsOct 22, 2026
Neiman Marcus Has Gifts for the Jewelry Lover Who Has EverythingBespoke experiences from Buccellati and Verdura are on the retailer’s 2026 “Fantasy Gifts” list.
Brought to you by
Open an Account, Get $50 Off Your First Order. No Code Needed.Built on Relationships. Refined by Craft.
CollectionsOct 22, 2026
Billie Eilish, Finneas Co-Design Collection for John HardyThe Academy and Grammy award-winning siblings have collaborated with John Hardy on a new jewelry line inspired by their personal style.
PodcastsOct 21, 2026
Episode 10: This Episode Is Haunted Diana Singer shared the stories of two “cursed” diamonds on this month’s podcast, which was inexplicably riddled with technical issues.
IndependentsOct 21, 2026
Gardner-Collier Jewelry to Close After 9 Decades in BusinessThe family-owned jeweler has three locations across Missouri and Iowa.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Venetia Mines Final Carats Ahead of 2-Year ShutdownThe De Beers-owned diamond mine in South Africa is being put on ice as part of a round of previously announced cost-cutting measures.
CollectionsOct 21, 2026
Helzberg, Nordstrom Carrying New Jewelry Collection From Off-WhiteThe collection centers designs with clean geometric lines, chunky sculptural pieces, and recognizable details from the luxury fashion brand.
SourcingOct 21, 2026
Gemfields’ Mixed-Quality Ruby Auction Earns $52MThe miner said it saw particularly strong prices for larger, fine-quality rubies at the sale.
CrimeOct 20, 2026
Security Guard Charged With Murder in Shooting at Texas MallThe guard opened fire on a man who was smashing a jewelry display case at La Gran Plaza in Fort Worth last week, police said.
IndependentsOct 20, 2026
David Gardner’s Jewelers Unveils Newly Expanded, Revamped ShowroomThe Texas jeweler added 2,000 square feet to its reimagined showroom, complete with a new design studio and an event space.
SourcingOct 20, 2026
The $50M Victoria’s Secret ‘Fantasy Bra’ By The NumbersJacob & Co.'s diamond masterpiece is the most expensive Fantasy Bra ever worn on the Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show runway.
CollectionsOct 20, 2026
Mignon Faget’s Collection Chooses Handmade Over AIThe “Atelier” collection was inspired by the tools, rituals, and objects in an artist’s studio as a quiet rebuttal to an automated world.
MajorsOct 19, 2026
The Knot to Acquire Rival Wedding Planning Platform ZolaThe pending acquisition is an “exciting opportunity” for wedding vendors to grow their business, said The Knot Worldwide’s CEO.
SourcingOct 19, 2026
Jewelry Design Competition Show Airs in Thailand"The Secret Gems" features eight Thai jewelry brands paired with a team of young craftspeople who create jewelry together to win challenges.
CollectionsOct 19, 2026
John Hardy Enters the Medallion Chat With Talisman Collection The brand’s “Modern Talisman” capsule collection introduces pendants inspired by the mythology, natural world, and spiritual ethos of Bali.
IndependentsOct 19, 2026
The Stories of 5 Jewelers Celebrating Their Centennials in 2026Independent jewelers from New Mexico to New Jersey answer the question: What has kept your store in business for 100 years?
SurveysOct 16, 2026
How Inflation, Gas Prices Will Affect Holiday Sales The NRF is expecting holiday sales to increase this year, but consumers and retailers alike are facing Grinch-like headwinds.
CollectionsOct 16, 2026
Christina Puchi’s Earrings Hold the UniverseOur Piece of the Week gathers the planets, represented by a variety of colored gemstones, in a pair of 14-karat yellow gold earrings.
IndependentsOct 16, 2026
Reeds Jewelers Expands, Relocates FlagshipThe New York-based jeweler is moving its Amherst flagship store to a larger location in nearby Snyder.
MajorsOct 16, 2026
Katy Chen Appointed Executive Vice President of Graff USA Chen, who worked at Cartier and Tiffany & Co., will lead retail sales and operations for the luxury jeweler’s 11 U.S. stores.
IndependentsOct 15, 2026
Retailer Hall of Fame 2026: Amy and Elise Greenberg For 40 years, sisters Amy and Elise Greenberg have helmed their 126-year-old family business, leading with appreciation and integrity.
