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.
SurveysMar 25, 2015
SPS reveals results of annual retailer survey
The Silver Promotion Service polled jewelers across the country to gauge how sales in the category fared in 2014. Here’s what the organization discovered.
In addition to releasing the results of its annual survey, the SPS also revealed a re-vamped website this month, a screenshot from which is shown here.
New York--The vast majority of silver sales are $500 and under--mainly self-purchases by women or gifts--and the most popular silver pieces are those set with colored gemstones.
These are among the findings from the Silver Promotion Service’s annual retailer survey, conducted earlier this year.
According to the results of the survey, released this week by the SPS, 67 percent of jewelers said their silver jewelry sales increased year-over-year in 2014, while 16 percent said sales remained the same and 17 percent saw a decline.
The average increase in silver sales among those polled was 17 percent. Nearly half said sales rose between 11 and 25 percent, and 13 percent saw an increase of more than 25 percent.
Respondents also said their silver jewelry sales, as a percentage of overall sales, were, on average, 34 percent of their unit volume and 30 percent of their dollar volume.
When it comes to how much customers are spending and what they are buying, survey-takers said $100 to $500 (41 percent) and less than $100 (53 percent) were their “sweet spot” price points.
Respondents identified female self-purchasers as their best selling opportunity (49 percent), followed by those purchasing gifts (30 percent) and the “youth market” (19 percent).
Style-wise, 39 percent said the top-selling silver pieces last year where those set with colored gemstones, followed by plain silver pieces (21 percent), textured finishes (20 percent), silver and diamond jewelry (15 percent), and color-treated silver (5 percent).
Other findings from the survey include:
--A total of 43 respondents named silver jewelry as the “best” in maintained margins, followed by diamond jewelry (31 percent), bridal jewelry (19 percent) and gold jewelry (7 percent); and
-- During the 2014 holiday season, 61 percent of jewelers said silver sales increased year-over-year, while 22 percent said sales remained steady and 17 percent reported a drop in silver sales.
The SPS conducted its Silver Jewelry Sales Results survey online from Feb. 13 to March 2 and calculated responses from 291 retailers.
Of those surveyed, 83 percent were independent retailers, 4 percent were from jewelry chain stores and 13 percent were categorized as “other.”
A total of 68 percent of retailers said they operate one physical store, 20 percent said they operate two or more stores and 12 percent were online-only. The SPS said the annual per-store sales of survey-takers was $1.6 million.
Respondents were pretty well spread
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
out around the country: Mid-Atlantic (22 percent), North Central (21 percent), the South Atlantic (16 percent), South Central (12 percent), the West (8 percent), New England (7 percent) and the Mountain region (4 percent).
A total of 10 percent of respondents marked their location as “other.”
Also this month, the SPS announced the re-launch of its website, SavorSilver.com.
The newly reconfigured, mobile-responsive site showcases a growing number of silver jewelry designers and their pieces, with an interactive catalog and other relevant silver-related content.
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.
