On Data: How Did Independent Jewelers Do in January and February?
Sherry Smith breaks down the results so far this year, including which categories are the sales standouts and which are struggling.

The same article went on to state, “similarly large gains like the one [in January] are unlikely to be a regular staple this year.”
This prediction came to pass for independent retailers in February. While January sales showed a slight year-over-year increase, with a 1 percent gain, February’s sales declined 5 percent.
Unit sales were down in the second half of 2022, so it was a bit of a surprise to see an 8 percent increase in units for January. February units were less robust, but it is hard to be to upset with a decline of only 1.5 percent for the month.
Both months, however, showed a decline in average retail sale, down 6 percent in January and down 3 percent in February.
Year-to-date numbers for the independents show a slight decline of 3 percent in overall gross sales, and a decline of only 2 percent in units sold, which should be a source of relief given the record years we just experienced.
There were a few standout categories.
Watches continue to show growth in our year-to-date numbers, with a 6.78 percent increase in gross sales, 2 percent increase in units sold, and 5 percent increase in average retail sale. We did, however, see a small decline in units sold in February, 2 percent, when compared with February 2022.
Both repair and custom services performed well in January and February. In February, custom showed increases in gross sales, units sold, and average retail sale; 9 percent, 2 percent, and 7 percent, respectively.
While repairs showed a 3 percent decline in units sold this February, the category showed a double-digit increase of 25 percent in gross sales, and a 29 percent increase in average retail sale.
The precious metal categories showed a small decline of 4 percent in gross sales, 3 percent decrease in units sold, and a 7 percent decline in average retail sale.
Sterling silver declined 5 percent in gross sales, 5 percent in units sold, and was flat in average retail sale year-to-date.
Sales of colored stones, which are often overlooked, is flat in gross sales year-to-date. Units sold are up 1 percent, and the average retail sale is down 2 percent this year.
Pearls declined 3 percent in gross sales, 5 percent in units sold, but was up 2 percent in average retail sale year-to-date.
The diamond categories, which historically have been strong performers, are showing declines in the major key performance indicators (KPIs) so far in 2023.
Gross sales are down 11 percent, units sold are down 9 percent, and average retail sale is down 3 percent.
Almost every diamond category in February showed declines, with some of the biggest declines coming in the bridal segment.
After consistent declines in the fourth quarter, loose diamonds have now shown declines for five consecutive months. They were down across all KPIs in the month of January, and in February, gross sales of loose diamonds fell 26 percent, while units sold slipped 8 percent and the average retail sale was down 19 percent.
Diamond engagement rings specifically declined by 20 percent in gross sales, 12 percent in units, and 9 percent in average retail sale in February.
Diamond semi-mounts were 4 percent in terms of gross sales and 6 percent in units sold but showed an increase of 3 percent in average retail sale for the month.
The best performing diamond category for the month of February was diamond necklaces, showing an 11 percent increase in gross sales, a 6 percent decline in units sold but a whopping 19 percent increase in average retail sale.
Lab-grown diamonds, which continue to be a heated topic of conversation, showed a 76 percent increase in gross sales, a 120 percent increase in units sold, and a 14 percent decline in average retail sale this January when compared to January 2022.
January lab-grown sales made up 9 percent of all loose diamond sales for the month.
All in all, the year-to-date results are showing small declines. It’s important to make sure that talk of rising costs, inflation, and a potential recession don’t stop you from executing the very things that will help you drive revenue.
Here are a few things you can do to stay proactive.
Make sure you have top talent in front of your customers to ensure the best possible outcome for both your customer and your business.
Pay attention to your marketing plan. Don’t make knee-jerk reactions. Be strategic. Research shows that businesses who continue marketing through economic downturns fare much better than those who completely eliminate spending on marketing.
Keep implementing best practices around inventory management to include consistent replenishment of your bestsellers, and an aggressive exit strategy for non-performing products.
I read an article, “Recession or Not, Retail is Ready,” in Forbes back in December, and this one paragraph is worth sharing.
“McKinsey reminds our industry as a whole that the time for contingency planning is: all the time. They observe that ‘retail resilience not only survived the Great Recession but also came out of it stronger. We believe that how retailers perform in the next downturn will be determined, in large part, by how well they prepare now, and then how decisively they act.’”
The Latest

Annie Doresca and Michelle Graff welcome Reggie Johnson and Sheryl Jones for a frank conversation on the state of DEI in fine jewelry.

Jeff Gennette will step down in February 2024, passing the torch to the CEO of another notable retailer.

Artisan Martin Roberts fashioned lunar meteorites into 48 beads to create this out-of-this-world necklace.

Distinguishing natural diamonds from laboratory-grown stones – now more available than ever – has been difficult for jewelers. Until now.

As for new members, the organization welcomed Jewelers of America’s Annie Doresca and Parag Jain of Parag Diamonds.


Jacob & Co.’s new “Billionaire” timepiece features more than 200 carats of yellow diamonds.

Heidi Horten, wife of department store magnate Helmut Horten, collected jewelry from Bulgari, Cartier, Harry Winston and Van Cleef & Arpels.

De Beers Institute of Diamonds provides the very best in diamond verification, education and diamond services.

The jewelry industry insurer and solutions provider is celebrating 110 years in business this month.

The statement came as the National Retail Federation released its retail sales forecast for 2023.

Sotheby’s will auction the diamond, which it says is “arguably the most significant pink diamond to ever appear at auction,” in June.

The retailer, recently acquired by Signet Jewelers, will lay off 119 employees in July.

The Swiss watchmaker introduced 17 new models at Watches & Wonders Geneva.

As part of the promotion, Smith will share his sales expertise during a 90-minute training session.

At Watches & Wonders, the Swiss brand unveiled a follow-up to last year’s Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante.

The “rêve” collection’s engagement rings and wedding bands are geared toward “sustainability minded customers.”

A new word appears on the dial each day of the week.

Bensons Jewelers closed for good Feb. 24, impacted in part by the decline in foot traffic downtown since the onset of the pandemic.

Kolja Kiofsky has been with the crystal and jewelry company since 2010.

The Kruse GWS Auctions sale will include the replica “Taj Mahal” necklace Elizabeth Taylor made with Avon as well as a costume piece Marilyn Monroe wore.

Massimo Basei is moving up, while Chief Commercial Officer Martino Pessina is stepping down.

AGTA GemFair and the Denver Gem & Mineral Show also will have a presence on the show floor.

Sold by Christie’s Hong Kong, this masterwork of complications now holds the record for most expensive watch ever auctioned online.

The watch company expects first-quarter sales to fall as much as 15 percent due to inflation and tough comps.

Adam O’Grady, general manager of the Lightbox Lab, has taken on the new role and will report directly to Lightbox CEO Antoine Borde.

The watch marketplace gathered data from 1.3 million collectors, highlighting the most popular timepieces and exploring value appreciation.

Burgundy has opted not to exercise its option to buy the mining claims Gibb River Diamonds currently owns.