Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Tariffs Throw Diamond Trade Into DisarrayThe 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.
IndependentsOct 18, 2017
More than 40% of Americans’ Relationship Status? Single
This is especially the case among adults ages 35 and younger, according to census data recently examined by the Pew Research Center.
Washington--Bridget Jones was single, at one time.
At one point or another so were Dorothy, Sophia, Rose and Blanche; Carrie, Miranda, Charlotte and Samantha; and Hannah, Marnie, Jessa and Shoshanna.
All of these well-known women of the big and small screens had the same relationship status that 42 percent of U.S. adults have now, according to a recent examination of census data by the Pew Research Center.
What Pew discovered is that the number of Americans who are “unpartnered,” meaning those living without a partner, has increased from 39 percent to 42 percent between 2007 (the first year the U.S. Census Bureau began collecting cohabitation data) and 2017.
It is interesting news for an industry that banks so heavily on love and marriage, and is just now starting to wake up to the potential of marketing to women who buy jewelry for themselves.
The sharpest increase in being single was among young adults, those 35 years old and under. That figure rose from 56 percent in 2007 to 61 percent in 2017.
The rise in the number of--to quote Ms. Jones--“singletons” was less marked among other age groups.
It rose from 29 percent to 30 percent among those ages 35 to 54, and from 29 percent to 32 percent in the 55- to 64-year-old age bracket.
And the number of single Americans actually fell among those ages 65 and up, making it more likely for older Americans (55+) to have a spouse or partner than younger adults.
RELATED CONTENT: 10 Jewels for the Self-Purchasing Female ConsumerSo why are there more single people in the United States today?
The article doesn’t come to a solid sociological conclusion--are people having trouble finding a mate, or are they simply happily single?--but it does hint that economics has something to do with it.
According to the article, those without a bachelor’s degree are more likely to be unpartnered than those with one, 46 percent versus 31 percent, and the share of single adults has risen more sharply among those who are not employed over the past 10 years.
Pew also shared some interesting data about the living arrangements for, and past relationships of, those who are currently single.
Among partnered adults, 58 percent have never been married, while 21 percent are divorced, 14 percent are widowed and the remaining 7 percent are either separated or married without a spouse present in the household.
Thirty-five percent of single adults live alone, 22 percent
live with others in the home but are still head of the household (single parents are in this category), 28 percent live with a parent or grandparent (this would include many of the younger single adults mentioned above) and 16 percent live with a sibling or roommate.
More on Independents
The Latest
SourcingSep 24, 2025
De Beers Adopts New Strategies to Drive Natural Diamond Demand in IndiaDe Beers’ refreshed, multipronged approach, which includes generic promotions and retail partnerships, is delivering positive dividends.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
For Jewelry Manufacturers, Higher Tariffs Create Long-Term WorriesThey are trying to balance the need to sustain well-established relationships with the pressure higher tariffs have put on margins.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
A Helping Hand: An Effort to Boost Inclusivity in the IndustryJewelry manufacturer Jewelex has partnered with JOSH, an industry training center, on a program for people with disabilities.
Weekly QuizSep 19, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsSep 24, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Goes Back in Time With First Estate CollectionThe collection includes pieces dating back to the Victorian and Art Deco periods as well as mid-century and late 20th-century designs.
Policies & IssuesSep 24, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names Marcus ter Haar as President-ElectHe previously served as co-chair of the nonprofit’s beneficiary committee.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
CollectionsSep 24, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s New Jane Goodall Collection Calls for PeaceIts second collaboration with the conservationist features jewelry with dove and olive branch motifs.
SourcingSep 24, 2025
SRK Launches Kriam PharmaThe diamond manufacturer’s new company will provide accessible and affordable high-quality medicines across India.
ColumnistsSep 23, 2025
Quiet Luxury: What Fall’s Top Trend Means for JewelersEmmanuel Raheb shares tips on how a jeweler’s showcases, marketing, and social media presence can whisper, instead of shout.
MajorsSep 23, 2025
Ames Watson Completes $140M Acquisition of Claire’sThe private equity firm has a plan to revive the mall staple.
SourcingSep 23, 2025
Super Smalls’ New Book Introduces Kids to Gems, Fine JewelryThe “Super Book of Gems” dives into the Mohs Hardness Scale, the Four C’s, and designs from jewelers like Cartier and Bulgari.
MajorsSep 23, 2025
Mattioli Names Kering Exec as New CEOClaudio Pasta will take the lead at the Italian fine jewelry brand, succeeding company founder Licia Mattioli.
CollectionsSep 23, 2025
Monique Lhuillier Adds Fashion Jewelry to Kay Jewelers LineThe new lab-grown diamond jewelry offering is the latest expansion of the designer’s “Bliss” collection.
SourcingSep 22, 2025
Rio Tinto Announces Final ‘Beyond Rare’ TenderThe miner is honoring the end of an era with an offering of 52 lots from the now-closed Argyle and the soon-to-close Diavik mines.
MajorsSep 22, 2025
Jewelry Manufacturer Vibhor Acquires AlorThe California-based fine jewelry brand will retain its identity post-acquisition, with new collections launching next year.
CollectionsSep 22, 2025
Gurhan's Collection is an 'Untamed' ZooThe “Untamed” collection centers on carved gemstone jewelry depicting a range of animals embodying one of the four elemental forces.
Policies & IssuesSep 22, 2025
Ethical Metalsmiths Has a New Name Founded in 2004, the organization is now called the Community for Ethical Jewelry.
EditorsSep 19, 2025
These Female Athletes Had the Best Jewelry of the SummerFrom Coco Gauff’s hoops to Madison Keys’ diamond medallion, these are Senior Editor Lenore Fedow’s standout jewelry looks of the season.
CollectionsSep 19, 2025
Piece of the Week: Vanessa Fernández Studio’s ‘Curva’ Wrap HoopsThe trendy earrings feature asymmetrical drops, one with a grossular garnet and the other with a diamond.
Recorded WebinarsSep 19, 2025
Watch: A Step-by-Step Guide to Using TikTok and Instagram ReelsFour social media marketing experts discuss their go-to methods and favorite tools for making high-quality short-form video content.
Supplier BulletinSep 18, 2025
Will Your Design Define 2026? Enter The Spectrum & Cutting Edge AwardsSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
SurveysSep 18, 2025
Deloitte Thinks the Holidays Will Be Merry, PwC Isn’t So Sure In its holiday report, PwC said the season will be more like jazz—improvisational and less predictable—than an easy-to-follow melody.
MajorsSep 18, 2025
Pandora to Open New Distribution Center in MarylandThe jewelry giant will relocate its existing facility to a larger space in Anne Arundel.
CollectionsSep 18, 2025
Ashley Zhang Launches Garçon New YorkThe designer, who is the creative force behind her namesake brand, has now started a new mini line focusing on chains for fathers and sons.
SourcingSep 18, 2025
SSEF Opens Applications for 2 Gemology Education Scholarships The awards include tuition for a course at the Swiss lab, economy flights, and hotel accommodation.
