FinancialsSep 02, 2021
Signet’s Q2 Sales Double Year-Over-YearSurveysSep 22, 2021
Jewelry Sales Surge Expected to Continue Through the Holidays
Mastercard’s SpendingPulse survey said early shopping, bigger price tags and digital experiences will be the hallmarks of holiday 2021.
Mastercard’s SpendingPulse survey predicts jewelry sales will grow 59 percent year-over-year this holiday season. The prediction shouldn’t surprise anyone in the fine jewelry industry, with diamond jewelry sales strong and business at recent trade shows robust. Pictured here are 18-karat gold and diamond pendants from designer Sara Weinstock spotted at the Couture show.
New York—Mastercard’s SpendingPulse survey predicts that the surge in jewelry sales that started in 2020 will continue through the 2021 holiday season.
U.S. retail sales (excluding automotive and gas) are expected to grow 7 percent between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, the company said in a news release issued last week, with jewelry expected to be one of the top performers.
SpendingPulse has jewelry sales growing 59 percent year-over-year and 53 percent with compared with the 2019 holiday season, pre-pandemic.
The only category SpendingPulse forecasts to post stronger sales than jewelry is luxury (excluding jewelry), with sales nearly doubling year-over-year and growing 56 percent when compared with pre-pandemic levels.
The SpendingPulse prediction should come as no surprise to those who follow the fine jewelry industry.
Sales have been strong since mid-2020, with money normally spent on vacations, dining out, going out and traveling diverted to jewelry.
The industry’s two biggest mining companies, De Beers and Alrosa, have remarked continually on the strength of diamond jewelry sales in the U.S., and exhibitors at recent jewelry trade shows, including JA New York and the Las Vegas shows, said attendees came ready and needing to buy.
Related stories will be right here …
U.S. retail sales (excluding automotive and gas) are expected to grow 7 percent between Nov. 1 and Dec. 24, the company said in a news release issued last week, with jewelry expected to be one of the top performers.
SpendingPulse has jewelry sales growing 59 percent year-over-year and 53 percent with compared with the 2019 holiday season, pre-pandemic.
The only category SpendingPulse forecasts to post stronger sales than jewelry is luxury (excluding jewelry), with sales nearly doubling year-over-year and growing 56 percent when compared with pre-pandemic levels.
The SpendingPulse prediction should come as no surprise to those who follow the fine jewelry industry.
Sales have been strong since mid-2020, with money normally spent on vacations, dining out, going out and traveling diverted to jewelry.
The industry’s two biggest mining companies, De Beers and Alrosa, have remarked continually on the strength of diamond jewelry sales in the U.S., and exhibitors at recent jewelry trade shows, including JA New York and the Las Vegas shows, said attendees came ready and needing to buy.
SpendingPulse also shed some light on when and where consumers are expected to shop this holidays season.
The company anticipates that consumers will spend 8 percent more online this holiday season than they did last year. Online sales are expected to be up a whopping 59 percent when compared with the 2019 holiday season.
But that doesn’t mean main streets and malls will be empty, as in-store shopping is expected to continue to recover, increasing 7 percent year-over-year.
Consumers are also expected to start shopping early again this year, lured by omnichannel promotions offered by retailers facing supply chain and labor shortage issues. This will be especially true in electronics, apparel and for department stores, SpendingPulse predicts.
In addition, both retailers and consumers will continue to use and embrace technologies that make shopping easier and more seamless, like buy online, pick up in store (BOPIS) and contactless payments.
SpendingPulse also expects consumers to splurge this season, thanks to high savings ratings and government stimulus checks, with jewelry and luxury expected to benefit.
“Over the last six months, the luxury retail and jewelry sectors have been experiencing some of the strongest YOY and YO2Y growth; that is anticipated to continue through the holidays,” the company said.
“This holiday season will be defined by early shopping, bigger price tags and digital experiences,” Steve Sadove, senior advisor for Mastercard and former CEO and chair of Saks Inc., said in the release.
“Over the past two years, retailers have learned a lot about what shoppers want and need, bringing us into an exciting new age of retail resilience. Retailers have been preparing for this moment and will find innovative ways to deliver on what’s bound to be the biggest holiday shopping season yet.”
More on Surveys
The Latest
CollectionsJun 30, 2025
State Property’s New Jewelry Tells ‘The Story of Everything’Co-founders Afzal Imram and Lin Ruiyin brought their son’s story of a cosmic egg, toadstool, and railroad to life in their new collection.
ColumnistsJun 30, 2025
The Smart Lab: Why Q3 Is the Secret Weapon For Holiday Jewelry SalesThe best time to prepare for the holiday season is right now, according to columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
Events & AwardsJun 30, 2025
AGA Names Recipient of 2025 Gemological Education ScholarshipThis year’s winner is Morgan Keefe, who is currently studying at GIA to be a gemologist.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
IndependentsJun 30, 2025
Melanie Grant’s New Book Explores 200 Years of Jewelry“The Jewelry Book” comes out this September.
Weekly QuizJun 26, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
TechnologyJun 27, 2025
Gemist Raises $6M in Funding to Scale Jewelry Tech PlatformThe company is focused on modernizing the custom jewelry buying experience with e-commerce tools like product visualization and 3D styling.
IndependentsJun 27, 2025
David Webb Announces New Hires, PromotionsFollowing its recent acquisition, the storied brand has updated its leadership team and regional managers.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
Events & AwardsJun 27, 2025
AGS, GIA Announce Beatrice Shipley Scholarship Winner AGS also named the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
CollectionsJun 27, 2025
Piece of the Week: Buddha Mama’s ‘Monstera’ Wrap RingThe 20-karat yellow gold and diamond wrap ring is modeled after the Monstera plants in the garden of the brand’s Miami villa.
MajorsJun 26, 2025
Why Rocksbox Is Opening Stores As Signet Jewelers DownsizesRocksbox President Allison Vigil shared the retailer’s expansion plans, and her thoughts on opening stores in malls.
IndependentsJun 26, 2025
Penny Ruston Dies at 80 The creator of the WJA Chicago chapter is remembered as a champion for women in the jewelry industry and a loving grandmother.
CollectionsJun 26, 2025
Jam Out With Sorellina’s Jimi Hendrix-Inspired JewelsThe “Playlist: Electric Dreams” collection brings lyrics from the musician’s song, “Little Wing,” to life through fine jewelry.
Events & AwardsJun 26, 2025
The Jewelry Symposium Is Looking for Speakers for 2026 EventThe event is set for May 16-19 in Detroit, Michigan.
IndependentsJun 25, 2025
Marissa Collections Opens in Nantucket as Legal Fight ContinuesThe Vault’s Katherine Jetter is accusing the retailer of using info she shared for a potential partnership to move into Nantucket.
CrimeJun 25, 2025
Customs Nabs Another Big Shipment of Fake Cartier, Van Cleef JewelryAgents seized 2,193 pieces, a mix of counterfeit Cartier “Love” and “Juste Un Clou” bracelets, and Van Cleef & Arpels’ “Alhambra” design.
CollectionsJun 25, 2025
Splash into Karina Choudhrie’s Collection of Underwater Circus PerformersThe designer brought her children’s book, “The Big Splash Circus,” to life through a collection of playful fine jewelry characters.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2025
JA Announces Impact Initiative Fund RecipientsThe trade association has chosen the recipients of the funding initiative it formed to foster the growth and sustainability of the industry.
SourcingJun 25, 2025
2025 AGTA Spectrum Awards Open for EntriesThe organization has also announced this year’s slate of judges.
EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
