EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
SurveysMay 20, 2015
Data revision paints grim picture for jewelers
Jewelry sales are down for the sixth consecutive month and revised data from the U.S. Commerce Dept. shows a smaller and less lucrative jewelry market overall.
Glen Allen, Va.--This past March marked the sixth consecutive month of weak consumer demand for fine jewelry and watches in the United States, and revised government data for specialty jewelers shows that their market share has slipped below 40 percent.
According to the latest data from the U.S. Commerce Department, sales totaled $5.2 billion for the month, a nearly 2 percent drop when compared with jewelry and watch sales figures from March 2014.
“In part, shoppers are purchasing less expensive fashion jewelry, rather than big-ticket gemstone jewelry,” industry analyst Ken Gassman said. “Further, research shows that younger shoppers are opting to spend money on ‘experiences’ rather than ‘stuff.’”
For specialty jewelers, meaning retailers who generate most of their revenue from the sale of jewelry, the year-over-year decline in sales was greater, sliding nearly 6 percent to an estimated $2 billion.
Gassman said these retailers reported a “double-whammy” trend in March: fewer shoppers, and a lower average ticket.
“Despite an ongoing plethora of price-based promotions, specialty jewelers lost market share as consumer demand for jewelry shifted to discounters and department stores,” he said, noting that new data shows specialty jewelers now hold less than 40 percent of the market, down from nearly 75 percent four decades ago.
While the U.S. is the largest jewelry-consuming market globally, Gassman said the size of the market is almost 10 percent smaller than previously reported following a major revision on 2008-20014 data performed by the U.S. Department of Commerce.
The revision shows that the market generated about $30.5 billion in sales last year, down from the $33.6 billion originally reported.
This new data also indicates that the specialty jewelry industry in the U.S. has not recovered to pre-recession sales levels, which peaked in 2007 at $30.8 billion, and that jewelry sales during the holiday selling season (November and December) were down in both 2013 (2 percent) and 2014 (4 percent), as opposed to previous reports that said sales only declined in the 2014 holiday season.
More so, the new data shows that specialty jewelers now hold only a 39 percent market share of the estimated $78.1 billion total market for jewelry in the U.S., down from the previously stated 43 percent.
“Based on the government’s newly revised data … we believe that jewelry sales in 2015 will be flat, at best, and could show a very modest decline from 2014 levels,”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
Gassman said. “Specialty jewelers’ 2015 sales will likely continue to lag, and are expect(ed) to be below last year’s levels again.”
Gassman said this means suppliers, especially diamond merchants, will have little or no pricing power and that other jewelry suppliers will need to hold prices at 2014 levels.
More on Surveys
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
WatchesOct 29, 2026
Bucherer Opens Rolex Boutique in Washington StateThe Rolex-owned retailer’s new 4,700-square-foot store’s façade honors the Pacific Northwest’s evergreen forests.
