MajorsJul 18, 2025
Lewis Heyman on Sourcing Gemstones, Post-Retirement PlansHe retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.
IndependentsDec 01, 2016
More Than 300 Jewelers Went Out Of Business in Q3
Year-to-date, nearly 900 retailers in the U.S. and Canada have closed up shop, along with 178 wholesalers and 104 manufacturers.
New York--The trend of jewelry businesses shutting down continued in the third quarter, with the total number of closures pacing well ahead of last year.
The Jewelers Board of Trade’s vital statistic and trend data report for the third quarter shows that a total of 400 U.S. and Canadian jewelry businesses called it quits in the third quarter: 318 retail jewelers/repairers, 57 wholesalers and 25 manufacturers.
That is up 42 percent from the third quarter 2015, when 282 jewelry businesses closed, including 240 retail jewelers/repairers, 34 wholesalers and eight manufacturers.
Year-to-date, a total of 1,177 jewelry business owners ceased operations: 895 retail jewelers/repairers, 178 wholesalers and 104 manufacturers.
That is a 57 percent increase over last year.
“The trend is not reversing itself. There’s a downward trend in the number of retailers,” JBT President and CEO Anthony Capuano said in an interview Wednesday.
The reasons for the closures have been well documented.
Baby boomer store owners are reaching retirement age and many don’t have children who are interested in staying in the family business.
RELATED CONTENT: Column--What it Feels Like to Close My Store
At the same time, baby boomer consumers are entering a phase in their life in which they are looking to downsize and are not buying as much, for lack of a better word, stuff, choosing instead to spend their money on experiences.
Their children, the millennials, also value spending money on experiences over physical possessions, and many don’t enjoy the same level of middle-class security as the generations before them.
Further complicating the picture for brick-and-mortar retailers is increased competition, not just in terms of what consumers can and want to buy--experiences over physical possessions--but from online sellers of jewelry.
“Retailers are really fighting for those dollars because they are fighting a whole pattern of purchasing,” Capuano said. “You just have to be really good to survive and prosper.”
While the continually climbing number of closures among independent retailers is making news in the jewelry industry, it’s an old story for those who operated family-owned furniture and hardware stores and saw their industries taken over by large chains years ago.
RELATED CONTENT: Analysis--State of the Majors
“I think this is sort of catch up right now,” Capuano said, though he noted that the personal nature of jewelry means that the independents in his industry are better positioned for survival than those in other fields.
As he put it, “Buying a screw is not a personal experience.”
Capuano
also pointed to custom jewelry as an area that can offer the independent jeweler differentiation, and it seems that retailers of all sizes already are taking advantage of their ability to create made-to-order rings.
In a recent National Jeweler/Jewelers of America survey, more than half of jewelers said their custom jewelry sales have increased over the past three years, and Signet Jewelers is emphasizing custom in its advertising campaign for Jared the Galleria of Jewelry this holiday season.
In a recent National Jeweler/Jewelers of America survey, more than half of jewelers said their custom jewelry sales have increased over the past three years, and Signet Jewelers is emphasizing custom in its advertising campaign for Jared the Galleria of Jewelry this holiday season.
More on Independents
The Latest
TrendsJul 18, 2025
Piece of the Week: CCWW Designs’ Shell Charm NecklaceThe charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.
MajorsJul 18, 2025
Plumb Club Elects New Board MembersThe organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.
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.
TechnologyJul 18, 2025
Brad Campbell, John Liebler Join Clientbook’s Executive Team Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.
Weekly QuizJul 17, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJul 17, 2025
2026 Winter Olympic Medal Design Symbolizes UnityThe medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.
Supplier BulletinJul 17, 2025
The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025: Your Holiday Preparations, All Wrapped Up! Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025
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.
SurveysJul 17, 2025
The Most Recommended Brands in the World, According to YouGovGlobally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.
SourcingJul 17, 2025
Rio Tinto Names New CEO, Production Rises at DiavikProduction at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.
Events & AwardsJul 17, 2025
JA to Hold Learning Workshops This FallA new slate of Learning Workshops will take place in Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Georgia.
SurveysJul 16, 2025
Signet Jewelers Falls Lower on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListThe middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.
FinancialsJul 16, 2025
Richemont’s Jewelry Sales Up 7% in Q1It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.
WatchesJul 16, 2025
The Top-Selling Rolex Models of the Last 15 Years, According to Bob’s Watches The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.
AuctionsJul 16, 2025
Christie’s To Honor Dinh Van With ExhibitionThe auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Calls Attention to Nature’s ImpermanenceThe “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
James Avery Expands to 2 More StatesThe Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.
Events & AwardsJul 15, 2025
Neiman Marcus Vet Joins Couture as Brand Director Eric Ford will step into the role, bringing with him decades of experience.
MajorsJul 15, 2025
Ben Bridge Jeweler Acquires Olympic ManufacturingIn addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.
CollectionsJul 15, 2025
Guzema Debuts First Colored Gemstone JewelryThe “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.
MajorsJul 14, 2025
Nanis Opens First StoreThe seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.
IndependentsJul 14, 2025
It’s the Summer of Love at Long’s JewelersThe New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.
SourcingJul 14, 2025
Ethical Gem Fair Heads to SeattleThe trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.
Events & AwardsJul 11, 2025
The Edge’s Annual Conference Returns in SeptemberIts sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.
CollectionsJul 11, 2025
Piece of the Week: Miseno’s ‘Arco’ EarringsFor its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.
Policies & IssuesJul 11, 2025
James Avery to Donate $1M to Texas Hill Country Relief EffortsThe jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.
TrendsJul 11, 2025
Kelly Osbourne’s Engagement Ring Is Sweet as HoneyInspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.
