MajorsSep 08, 2026
Former Tiffany & Co. Exec Joins Exemplar Luxury GroupGretchen Koback Pursel is the new chief people officer at the company formerly known as Saks Global.
SurveysMar 10, 2014
Jewelry ranks as top luxury item among wealthy
Jewelry is the most widely collected luxury item in the world among the wealthy, although in North America it ranks third behind art and watches, according to The Wealth Report 2014.
The Patiño emerald and diamond necklace sold at Christie's Geneva for $9.9 million in November 2013, one of the auction house's top jewelry lots for the year. Jewelry is the most widely collected luxury item in the world, according to The W
London--Jewelry is the most widely collected luxury item in the world among the wealthy, although in North America it ranks third behind art and watches, according to The Wealth Report 2014.
The Wealth Report is conducted annually by London-based independent property consultancy company Knight Frank, and is a commentary on global prime property markets, wealth distribution and investment sentiment.
This year’s survey is more comprehensive than ever, Knight Frank said, reflecting the attitudes of more than 23,000 UHNWIs (ultra-high net worth individuals) with an average worth of $68 million each, and a combined wealth of more than $1.5 trillion.
Jewelry ranked as the top “investment of passion” for the wealthy in Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Middle East and Russia. It was the third most widespread investment of passion in Australia and North America, and the fourth in Europe.
Watches as an investment of passion ranked third globally and fell in second or third in every region except Australia, where it ranked sixth.
Diamonds ranked as the third greatest investment of passion in Asia, and fell into fourth, fifth or sixth place in every other region. The stones ranked fifth globally.
While personal pleasure is cited by 61 percent of the world’s wealthy as the main reason why they collect so-called investments of passion, they are also hopeful those investments will not lose value and consider it an investment for capital growth (16 percent).
Another 15 percent say these investments are for status (15 percent), are a “safe haven” (6 percent) or are purchased merely for the sake of fashion (1 percent).
As wealth increases worldwide, so do levels of spending on luxury goods.
A total of 36 percent of respondents from the Wealth Report’s Attitudes Survey, conducted among UHNWI’s advisors and private bankers, said their clients will continue to spend more in 2014, with the sentiment most bullish in Africa (46 percent) and most cautious in Europe (30 percent), the report stated.
When asked how their clients’ net worth had changed on average in 2013, 75 percent of the advisors and bankers said it had increased while only 4 percent reported that it had dropped.
In North America, 81 percent of respondents reported an increase in net worth among their clients.
Almost two-thirds of advisors and bankers said their clients are positive about wealth creation prospects in 2014. Only 4 percent said their clients were
“downbeat,” and 34 percent said their clients expect the status quo to be maintained.
The report states that the wealth creation outlook for 2014 is greatest in the Middle East and Europe at an increase of 70 percent for both, followed by Africa (69 percent) and North America (67 percent).
“This more cautious view probably reflects ongoing concerns about the robustness of the economic recovery and whether last year’s equities bounce can be sustained, as well as other factors, such as reduction in the U.S. Federal Reserve’s quantitative easing program,” Knight Frank said.
More on Surveys
The Latest
IndependentsSep 08, 2026
Ricky Bromberg, Longtime President of Bromberg & Co., Dies at 67 Bromberg is remembered as a Southern gentleman who always wore a suit and tie and treated others with kindness.
TrendsSep 08, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: A Hot Take on September’s Birthstone With high durability and a wide range of colors to choose from, sapphires may be the ultimate birthstone, Gizzi claims.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
ColumnistsSep 08, 2026
Peter Smith: Humor Is No Laughing MatterLaughter is often considered a distraction in the workplace, but it has benefits for both staff and management, Peter Smith writes.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
