WatchesAug 07, 2025
Bulova’s New Collection Honors Tony BennettThe first watch in the series commemorates his participation in the Civil Rights movement, marching from Selma to Montgomery in 1965.
SurveysApr 20, 2016
Product Pulse: The Bridal Business
In this month’s survey, we asked jewelers about their bridal business. How do your store’s sales of engagement rings and wedding bands compare?
New York--Nearly half of jewelers polled recently by National Jeweler and Jewelers of America said their engagement ring and wedding band sales are on the rise, with custom pieces performing particularly well.
When asked about the trend of their engagement ring sales over the past 10 years, 46 percent of poll-takers said they have increased in that timeframe, while 31 percent said they’ve stayed the same.
Overall gross margin on engagement rings ranges from 31 to 50 percent for more than half (56 percent) of those surveyed, which could be attributed to the current volume of jewelers leaning more heavily on their custom business.
“For us, our custom-designed engagement rings can incorporate a customer’s loose stone diamonds or be built from scratch,” one jeweler wrote when asked an open-ended question about their store’s top sellers. “We are our best brand by a long shot!”
Another survey-taker noted: “Overall our custom work is always our bestseller, repurposing grandma’s or mom’s old stones or providing new stones, making something custom and not charging prices as high as large chains. The personal attention paid to our customers has been a benefit to us.”
When it comes to specific brands, many jewelers listed Gabriel & Co., Simon G and Tacori as among their best-sellers. The dominant style for engagement rings, meanwhile, appears still to be the halo. 
Wedding band sales have trended in a similar direction: increasing or staying the same over the past 10 years for 79 percent of retailers while decreasing for 22 percent.
Alternative metals such as tungsten, titanium and stainless steel remain popular, particularly for men’s bands, while Stuller and Lashbrook were among the brands listed as bestsellers.
One respondent noted that, “In men’s bands, alternative metals are always the bestsellers. That leaves more money to spend on the lady and, as we all know, that’s who the men have to keep happy.”
And even more margin is made on wedding bands than on engagement rings.
Seventy-four percent of respondents said that their overall gross margin on wedding bands is 41 to 50 percent (38 percent) or more than 50 percent (36 percent).
“In men’s bands, alternative metals are always the bestsellers. That leaves more money to spend on the lady and, as we all know, that’s who the men have to keep happy.”Bands, however, comprise a decidedly smaller percentage of a jeweler’s sales than
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
engagement rings, indicating that perhaps many retailers are missing an opportunity to make another sale.
Nearly 60 percent of survey-takers said engagement ring sales make up 21 percent or more of their overall sales while only 31 percent reported the same for bands.
National Jeweler and Jewelers of America conducted the Product Pulse survey between March 28 and April 13. Approximately 200 jewelers responded.
Nearly 60 percent of survey-takers said engagement ring sales make up 21 percent or more of their overall sales while only 31 percent reported the same for bands.
National Jeweler and Jewelers of America conducted the Product Pulse survey between March 28 and April 13. Approximately 200 jewelers responded.
More on Surveys
The Latest
Lab-GrownAug 07, 2025
Chatham Releases Catalog for Loose Lab-Grown GemstonesThe catalog contains a complete listing of all the loose gemstones in stock, as well as information about the properties of each stone.
TechnologyAug 07, 2025
Rembrandt Charms Debuts New Website, Bird CharmsThe company added a retailer dashboard to its site and three new birds to its charm collection, the cardinal, blue jay, and hummingbird.
Brought to you by
Taking the Moment Head On: How Rio Grande Champions the Present & Future of Fine JewelryAs a leading global jewelry supplier, Rio Grande is rapidly expanding and developing new solutions to meet the needs of jewelers worldwide.
Policies & IssuesAug 06, 2025
Tariff on India to Rise to 50%, Trump Says An additional 25 percent tariff has been added to the previously announced 25 percent.
Weekly QuizJul 31, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsAug 06, 2025
Claire’s Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy AgainThe jewelry and accessories retailer plans to close 18 stores as part of the proceedings.
IndependentsAug 06, 2025
Smith & Son Jewelers to Close 107-Year-Old Location Its Springfield, Massachusetts, store is set to close as owner Andrew Smith heads into retirement.
Brought to you by
Investing in the Next Generation of Bench JewelersThe Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.
CollectionsAug 06, 2025
Zahn-Z Swims With Whales in ‘Beluga’ CollectionDesigner Hiba Husayni looked to the whale’s melon shaped-head, blowhole, and fluke for her new chunky gold offerings.
TrendsAug 06, 2025
Paola De Luca to Release Trendbook 2027+She will present the 23rd edition of the trend forecasting book at Vicenzaoro on Sept. 7.
CrimeAug 05, 2025
Report: Suspect Arrested in 1992 Murder of Miami JewelerOmar Roy, 72, was arrested in connection with the murder of jeweler Dionisio Carlos Valladares.
CollectionsAug 05, 2025
Mignon Faget Commemorates 20th Anniversary of Hurricane KatrinaThe New Orleans-based brand’s “Beyond Katrina” jewels honor the communities affected by the storm.
ColumnistsAug 05, 2025
The PR Adviser: Affiliate Marketing Is the Cost of CoverageLilian Raji explains why joining an affiliate network is essential for brands seeking placements in U.S. consumer publications.
Events & AwardsAug 05, 2025
JA Announces Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship WinnersThe organization has awarded a total of $42,000 through its scholarship programs this year.
Events & AwardsAug 04, 2025
Gem Awards, David Yurman Introduce $50K Grant for Emerging DesignersThe winner of the inaugural David Yurman Gem Awards Grant will be announced live at the 2026 Gem Awards gala.
TrendsAug 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: August’s Bright BaublesAs summer winds down, celebrate the sunny disposition of the month’s birthstones: peridot and spinel.
CrimeAug 04, 2025
‘The Watch King’ Assaulted, Robbed in QueensMoshe Haimoff, a social media personality and 47th Street retailer, was robbed of $559,000 worth of jewelry by men in construction outfits.
MajorsAug 04, 2025
Borsheims Welcomes New Assistant Facilities ManagerXavier Dibbrell brings more than a decade of experience to the role.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Helzberg President Julie Yoakum Moves Over to Signet JewelersThe addition of Yoakum, who will lead Kay and Peoples, was one of three executive appointments Signet announced Thursday.
MajorsAug 01, 2025
Jewelers Mutual Names Mike Alexander as President The insurance company’s previous president and CEO, Scott Murphy, has split his role and will continue as CEO.
SourcingAug 01, 2025
Gemfields’ Auction Revenue Drops 50% in H1The nearly six-month pause of operations at its Kagem emerald mine earlier this year impacted the miner’s first-half results.
CollectionsAug 01, 2025
Piece of the Week: Hernsdorf’s ‘Tears of Aphrodite’ NecklaceThe necklace uses spinel drops to immortalize the moment Aphrodite’s tears mixed with her lover Adonis’ blood after he was fatally wounded.
SourcingJul 31, 2025
De Beers Records $189M First-Half Loss The diamond miner and marketer warned last week that it expected to be in the red after significantly cutting prices in Q2.
Events & AwardsJul 31, 2025
These Are the 2025 CASE Award WinnersJewelers of America’s 35th annual design contest recognized creativity, artistry, style, and excellence.
IndependentsJul 31, 2025
Matthew Tratner Takes Over as CBG President Tratner succeeds Andie Weinman, who will begin stepping back from the buying group’s day-to-day operations.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2025
Tariff on India Will Be 25%, Trump Says The president made the announcement via Truth Social Wednesday, adding that India also will face a penalty for its dealings with Russia.
FinancialsJul 30, 2025
Kering's Jewelry Brands Resilient As H1 Sales Slide 16%The luxury titan’s star brand Gucci continued to struggle amid a "tough" environment.
