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 23, 2016
Pulse On: Succession Planning
In its Business Pulse survey for March, Jewelers of America surveyed jewelers about their plans for passing on the family business. How do our results compare with the situation at your store?
Of the family-owned jewelers who took JA’s survey in March, a total of 48 percent said they had no succession plan or planned to close or sell their business when they reach retirement age, while 40 percent said the next generation would take over.
New York--Jewelers of America’s Business Pulse survey shows that while a great number of jewelry stores are headed by individuals age 50 or older, many don’t have any type of succession plan in place.
Conducted in March, JA’s online poll was taken by a total of 204 retailers, and they were asked about succession planning as well as their sales for the month of January.
Of those 204 jewelers polled, 177, or 92 percent, reported that their jewelry store was a family-owned business.
The vast majority (83 percent) of those 177 family-owned operations said the owner of their business is over 50 years old.
Of that 83 percent, the greatest percentage of respondents--45 percent--said the owner is more than 60 years old while the remaining 38 percent reported that the owner is between 50 and 59.
A total of 14 percent of owners are reported to be between the ages of 40 and 49 while only 4 percent are 39 or younger.
The graying of the jewelry industry is not news.
RELATED CONTENT: Demographic drop-off
When the Jewelers Board of Trade released its final statistics for 2015, outgoing President Dione Kenyon cited the lack of a next generation waiting in the wings to take over the family business as the number one reason--albeit among many--that the number of jewelers closing their stores continues to rise.
RELATED CONTENT: The Generation Gap
And, getting younger professional interested in careers in jewelry is currently a focal point for a number of organizations. MJSA has it “Be a Jeweler” program, while the Independent Jewelers Organization has launched a Millennial Advisory Board and U.S. Antiques Shows has “Antique Young Guns,” to name just a few. 
Still, succession planning remains an issue for many family-owned stores.
Of the 177 survey respondents who said they were in a family-owned business, 26 percent said they have no succession plan in place, while 22 percent said their plan is to either sell (11 percent) or close (11 percent) their business.
A total of 40 percent, meanwhile, said they do plan for the next generation to take over the store.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
The remaining percentage marked “other” and wrote in reasons including selling to staff, changing the business into a custom design studio and undecided.
Jewelers, are these results representative of the situation in your store? Tell us in the comments section below or email us at michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com.
National Jeweler is a for-profit subsidiary of Jewelers of America, though the two organizations act independently of each other. JA acquired National Jeweler from Emerald Expositions in February 2015.
Jewelers, are these results representative of the situation in your store? Tell us in the comments section below or email us at michelle.graff@nationaljeweler.com.
National Jeweler is a for-profit subsidiary of Jewelers of America, though the two organizations act independently of each other. JA acquired National Jeweler from Emerald Expositions in February 2015.
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.
