ColumnistsAug 10, 2022
On Data: What We Know About Jewelry Sales So Far This YearTechnologyAug 22, 2022
Specialty Jewelers’ Sales Cooled Off in July, Data Shows
The data comes from Tenoris, the new trend analysis company started by Edahn Golan and Chris Casey.
A 14-karat gold engagement ring set with a 2 1/5-carat oval-shaped lab-grown diamond from the Pnina Tornai collection sold at Signet Jewelers-owned banner Jared. Lab-grown diamond jewelry, particularly bridal, experienced growth in July, bucking the overall trend of jewelry sales.
New York—Sales for specialty jewelers slowed down in July, declining both month-over-month and year-over-year, the latest data from Tenoris shows.
A new venture launched earlier this year by industry veterans Chris Casey and Edahn Golan, Tenoris collects data on retail jewelry sales in the United States, analyzes it, and provides it to suppliers and manufacturers.
According to its latest figures, sales of finished jewelry in value terms was down 7 percent month-over-month in July and 8 percent year-over-year, while unit sales fell 14 percent year-over-year.
Tenoris’ data tracks with what Signet Jewelers, the market’s largest specialty jeweler by far and considered a bellwether for the entire industry, said last week when downgrading its forecast for the full fiscal year—that jewelry sales slowed down in July as consumers continued to grapple with inflation.
The year-over-year decline included a drop in bridal sales.
Up against “outstanding” comps from 2021, bridal sales in value terms fell 16 percent, while unit sales dropped 14 percent, with diamond bridal sales underperforming when compared with the overall diamond category.
Year-to-date, specialty jewelers’ sales in value terms are up 9 percent compared with 2021 but unit sales are down 4 percent.
In its analysis of the July numbers, Tenoris said it is not unusual for jewelry sales to slow down in the U.S. in June and July. There are no major jewelry-gifting holidays and many people take vacation.
This year, however, there were two interesting twists to consumer behavior.
While overall sales were down year-over-year, pieces of jewelry priced at $5,000—particularly fashion rings set with diamonds and/or sapphires—sold well in July.
Casey, co-managing partner of Tenoris, said it is the high end of the jewelry market that continues to drive both business and growth in fine jewelry.
Also bucking the trend was lab-grown diamond jewelry, particularly bridal jewelry set with lab-grown diamonds.
The category continues to win market share in fine jewelry, accounting for up to a third of loose diamond sales by value in July.
However, lab-grown diamonds’ average retail and wholesale purchase prices continued to slide overall, dropping when compared to both to June of this year and year-over-year.
“Lab-grown continues to be a growth market despite and, at times, because of lab-grown’s declining
prices,” Golan said.
Golan and Casey will join National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff to talk more about Tenoris on the Sept. 8 episode of “My Next Question,” the publication’s regular webinar series.
The discussion will air live at 11 a.m. EDT. Replay will be available on the National Jeweler YouTube channel as well as on the website.
More information and registration are available online.
More on Technology
The Latest
EditorsNov 15, 2024
Why Fine Jewelry Belongs at New York Comic ConSenior Editor Lenore Fedow makes the case for why more jewelers should be appealing to nerds at the annual event.
CollectionsNov 15, 2024
Marie Lichtenberg Battles Counterfeits with New ‘Raiz’in Scapular’ DesignsThe latest “Raiz’in” drop showcases a newly designed “Scapular” necklace and donates a portion of the proceeds to Make-A-Wish France.
WatchesNov 15, 2024
Piece of the Week: Citizen’s Commemorative Pocket WatchNo. 1 out of 100, the timepiece was created to mark Citizen’s 100th anniversary and will be auctioned off at Sotheby’s next month.
Brought to you by
Navigating Cybersecurity: Essential Guidance for JewelersFrom protecting customer data to safeguarding inventory records, it's crucial to learn how to tackle cybersecurity challenges.
Recorded WebinarsNov 15, 2024
Watch: 10 Tips to Keep Your Jewelry Store Secure On the latest episode of “My Next Question,” two experts share best practices for store security during the holidays and year-round.
Weekly QuizNov 14, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsNov 14, 2024
18th-Century Diamond Necklace Sells for Nearly $5M Sotheby’s sold the necklace, which potentially has ties to Marie-Antoinette, for $4.8 million to a woman bidding via phone.
MajorsNov 14, 2024
Saks Fifth Avenue Cancels Holiday Light DisplayInstead of its usual elaborate display, the store will illuminate its façade and frame the windows to highlight its flagship’s architecture.
Brought to you by
Enhance Your Expertise with IGI’s In-Person Courses in NYCThis fall, sharpen your skills in jewelry grading, quality control and diamond assessment.
WatchesNov 14, 2024
Grand Seiko Partners With Ben Bridge on First Hawaii Store The new Grand Seiko boutique is located in Honolulu’s Waikiki neighborhood.
SourcingNov 13, 2024
Gem Legacy Adventures Announces 2025 Trip Eleven spots are available for travelers to visit Northern Tanzania and Southern Kenya from July 25 to Aug. 4.
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
Aga Khan Emerald Sells for $8.8M, Sets RecordThe emerald brooch-turned-pendant returned to auction after 55 years, setting a world record for most expensive emerald sold at auction.
AuctionsNov 13, 2024
‘Exceptional’ Burmese Ruby Ring Tops $5M at Auction Phillips also sold a 1.21-carat fancy red diamond dubbed the “Red Miracle” for more than $1 million at its jewelry auction in Geneva.
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Ariana Grande, Anya Taylor-Joy Star in Holiday Jewelry CampaignsFrom Swarovski to Tiffany & Co., jewelry retailers are enlisting celebrities to highlight their holiday offerings.
MajorsNov 13, 2024
Royal Chain’s New Catalog Is Out NowThe 2024-2025 book introduces hundreds of new designs.
FinancialsNov 12, 2024
Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels Continue to Shine for Richemont Richemont’s jewelry sales ticked up 2 percent in the first half of the year, while watch sales plummeted 17 percent.
GradingNov 12, 2024
GIA’s Next-Day Services Return for the HolidaysOffered by the lab since 2016, the holiday season special is good from now through mid-December.
CollectionsNov 12, 2024
Mikimoto and Chrome Hearts Blend Aesthetics in New CollaborationThe “Mikimoto Chrome Hearts” jewelry brings pearls from Mikimoto together with distinctive motifs from Chrome Hearts.
CollectionsNov 08, 2024
Piece of the Week: Larkspur & Hawk’s ‘Tapestry Lily’ Earrings These earrings use flat-backed white quartz to create a window onto an antique ribbon embroidered with a floral design.
Events & AwardsNov 08, 2024
AGTA Reveals Spectrum, Cutting Edge Award Winners for 2024This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards included a new category for engagement rings and a new award highlighting female designers.
FinancialsNov 08, 2024
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Fall 13%Plus, CEO Beth Gerstein shares her insight on the holiday season and the possibility of new tariffs.
TrendsNov 07, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Golden and Blue November HuesThe month’s birthstones, citrine and blue topaz, reflect the changing colors of the season.
CollectionsNov 07, 2024
Sidney Garber Collaborates With Carey Lowell on Capsule CollectionThe “Carey Lowell x Sidney Garber” collection stems from the friendship between the jewelry designer and ceramicist.
MajorsNov 07, 2024
Ritani Debuts ‘No-Fuss’ Holiday TV CampaignThe two ads highlight diamond engagement rings and diamond studs with a straightforward approach.
Policies & IssuesNov 07, 2024
Diamonds Do Good To Distribute $250K+ In Grants Next YearIn 2025, the nonprofit plans to continue its support of longstanding partners while also allocating some funds to a new initiative.
AuctionsNov 06, 2024
Two Rolexes With Ties to Titanic Head to AuctionThe Rolex watches are from the collection of “Titanic” co-producer Alfred “Al” Giddings and will go up for sale at Sotheby’s next month.
FinancialsNov 06, 2024
Pandora Posts Double-Digit Revenue Growth in Q3The Danish jewelry company plans to open up to 150 concept stores this fiscal year.
GradingNov 06, 2024
GIA to Close Lab in Ramat Gan, IsraelThe location will close by the end of the year due to it being financially unsustainable, GIA said.
