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
MajorsMar 27, 2026
Saks Global Has Changed Its Mind About Closing These 3 StoresTwo Saks Fifth Avenue locations, one in Florida and one in California, and one Neiman Marcus store are off the chopping block.
IndependentsMar 27, 2026
Jimmy West, Longtime LJG Executive Director, Dies at 72West, who started in the art department at the Leading Jewelers Guild in 1979, is remembered for his patience, kindness, and dedication.
CollectionsMar 27, 2026
Itä’s ‘Yarí Whirl’ Ring Tells Every Side of the StoryIn the “Tesoro” version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, each side of the gold hexagonal nugget has a unique colored gemstone design.
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.
WatchesMar 26, 2026
Q&A: Citizen Watch America President Jeffrey Cohen on Eco-Drive’s 50th AnniversaryCohen discusses the evolution of Citizen’s light-powered technology, the brand’s cross-generational appeal, and tariffs.
Weekly QuizMar 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsMar 26, 2026
Peter Smith Pens Book on Human Behavior in Sales“Essentially Human: On Sales and Salespeople" reveals the underlying human traits and behaviors of the most successful sales professionals.
CollectionsMar 26, 2026
Lionheart Celebrates 13 Years of ‘Cassandane’The collection features symbols of love, luck, and light, based on the story of Queen Cassandane and Cyrus the Great of Persia.
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.
SourcingMar 25, 2026
Rob Bates Steps Down as JCK News Director After 28 years with JCK, the veteran industry journalist is launching his own publication on Substack called The Jewelry Wire.
GradingMar 25, 2026
New York’s Natural History Museum, Wiley To Build Minerals DatabaseWiley said the project will give scientists worldwide access to the American Museum of Natural’s History renowned mineral collection.
CollectionsMar 25, 2026
Boochier Turns Flower Friendship Bracelets Into Fine JewelryThe “Flower Puff” collection looks to beaded flower friendship bracelets from childhood, turning the silhouette into nostalgic fine jewelry.
Policies & IssuesMar 25, 2026
Community for Ethical Jewelry to Host Bench Jeweler Shortage WebinarSet for April 2, the webinar will discuss how the jewelry industry can address the workforce gap.
IndependentsMar 24, 2026
Lisa Bayer, Illustrator and Beloved Member of the Muse Family, Dies at 64Bayer, founder of Lisa Bayer Designs, is remembered as “a bright light in every room.”
AuctionsMar 24, 2026
White Diamonds Shine In Christie's Jewels Online SaleThe highest-grossing lot was a Tiffany & Co. ring set with a flawless, emerald-cut diamond of 10 carats.
SourcingMar 24, 2026
AGTA Solidifies Tucson Dates For 2027-2029The next three editions of AGTA GemFair Tucson will feature a five-day show that includes Sunday.
WatchesMar 24, 2026
Christie’s Names New Senior Specialist, WatchesFormer Sotheby’s executive Tom Heap has taken on the London-based role.
CrimeMar 23, 2026
NYPD Looking for 3 Jewelry Store Robbery SuspectsThe group of women allegedly robbed two Catbird stores and one Gorjana location on the afternoon of March 9.
FinancialsMar 23, 2026
Movado’s Q4 Sales Rise As Demand Grows From Younger Shoppers, WomenMovado CEO Efraim Grinberg noted continued strength in the fashion watch and accessible luxury segments in the U.S.
TrendsMar 23, 2026
Marco Bicego’s New Campaign Showcases ‘The Art of Craft’After celebrating 25 years in 2025, the campaign marks a new chapter for the jewelry brand with the message that “Identity Creates Value.”
Events & AwardsMar 23, 2026
These Watch Brands Are Heading to Couture This YearCouture and Time to Watches announced the watch brands, from big names to independents, attendees will see at the show.
FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
