CrimeNov 17, 2025
Police Searching for 2 Suspects in Murder of Father, Son Jewelers Faustino Alamo Dominguez and his son, 25-year-old Luis Angel Alamo, were gunned down following an armed robbery at their jewelry store.
SurveysJun 11, 2018
Platinum, Silver Jewelry Sales See Growth in U.S.
Platinum Guild International and the Silver Promotion Service both reported double-digit growth in the categories in 2017.
These Cartier platinum earrings from the brand’s high jewelry collection, featuring diamonds and spinels, recently made a red carpet appearance at the world premiere of “Ocean’s 8” on actress Helena Bonham Carter.
New York—Platinum and silver jewelry sales are both on the rise in the United States, according to two recent surveys.
Strong demand in both the bridal and self-purchasing markets contributed to platinum’s double-digit growth in 2017, Platinum Guild International indicated.
PGI’s annual market analysis, which polled more than 90 manufacturers and 1,400 retail companies that operate about 13,000 retail outlets, concluded that platinum jewelry sales in the U.S. increased 11 percent year-over-year, marking the fifth year in a row the sector grew.
They attributed it to a strong economy and positive consumer sentiment.
“We saw above-market growth for platinum jewelry in three out of four key markets in 2017, including the U.S.,” PGI CEO Huw Daniel said. “This trend is tied to a robust global economy and historically low platinum prices, together with an increasing preference for platinum among younger consumers, which indicates growth potential in the platinum jewelry sector in 2018.”
Bridal is the strongest driver of platinum jewelry sales, and PGI indicated it sees a new opportunity in that arena via platinum crowns, which it said holds diamonds more securely in rings, regardless of the metal used in the shank.
According to PGI, their platinum crown marketing in the U.S. increased its sales by 10 percent year-over-year and is expected to continue in 2018.
In addition to bridal, PGI is targeting the self-purchasing consumer, citing the 2017 De Beers Diamond Insight Report, which showed that women purchasing jewelry for themselves represents 33 percent of the non-bridal diamond jewelry market.
To access this demographic, PGI has introduced a platinum collection of chain necklaces called “Platinum Born.”
“We have felt for a long time that there was room in the marketplace for a beautifully designed, well made, price-friendly platinum collection,” PGI-USA President Jenny Luker said. “After concluding extensive focus groups and market research, Platinum Born fulfilled what the female self-purchasing consumer was looking for.”
The Silver Institute’s Silver Promotion Service, meanwhile, also reported growth for silver jewelry sales for the ninth consecutive year that it has commissioned a retailer survey, this year performed by InStore.
Retailers polled noted that on average, overall silver jewelry sales in 2017 increased 17 percent year-over-year and represented 36 percent of their unit volume and 29 percent of their dollar volume.
Approximately 57 percent of retailers said silver jewelry had the best inventory turnover rate, and 51 percent said the category had the best maintained margins during the 2017 holiday season.
The majority of retailers surveyed demonstrated confidence in silver jewelry sales in 2018, with 93 percent saying they are optimistic the category’s sales will continue to grow.
More on Surveys
The Latest
GradingNov 17, 2025
IGI Announces New President of North AmericaTiffany & Co. veteran Jeffrey Bennett has stepped into the role.
MajorsNov 17, 2025
Look Inside Robbins Brothers Fine Jewelers’ New Pasadena FlagshipThe showroom is located in a historic 1920s building in the Playhouse District.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Events & AwardsNov 14, 2025
JCK Names New Event DirectorJennifer Hopf, who has been with JCK since 2022, will lead the execution of the long-running jewelry trade show.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
