IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
SurveysAug 07, 2018
Gold Jewelry Demand Hits a 10-Year High in US
The World Gold Council said the market is benefitting from rising wages and increased consumer confidence.
Demand for gold jewelry in United States hit a 10-year high in the second quarter. This K. Mita Chevron heart ring in 18-karat yellow gold and 18-karat palladium white gold is set with 0.44 carats of kite shape rose-cut champagne diamonds and 0.165 carats of white diamonds ($5,520).
London—Gold jewelry demand in the United States reached 28.3 tons in the second quarter, marking a 10-year high for the period, the World Gold Council said.
Year-over-year, Q2 demand was up 5 percent, continuing the upward trend in the market.
The half-year number for the United States also hit a 10-year high; at 51.9 tons, demand reached a level not seen since 2008.
The market benefitted from a positive domestic economic environment that included rising wages, lower taxes that boosted household incomes, unemployment hitting historic lows and heightened consumer confidence, the WGC said.
The council also said department stores have reported strong jewelry sales—with some even reallocating store space to gold after replacing it with silver during the downturn—and a solid performance from the high end of the market.
Globally, though, gold jewelry demand dropped 2 percent in the second quarter to 510.3 tons.
The WGC noted that while it may seem surprising that gold jewelry demand didn’t pick up during the quarter given the relatively sharp decline in the per-ounce price of gold, it noted that currency weaknesses in many markets meant that local consumers weren’t seeing lower prices. Instead, they were seeing steady, or even higher, prices.
(The average LBMA gold price was $1,305.99 per ounce in Q2 and $1,317.73 per ounce in H1, according to Bloomberg and ICE Benchmark Administration).
Looking at worldwide jewelry demand by region, the Indian and Middle Eastern markets were the main drivers behind the Q2 decline, WGC said.
In India, consumers faced a high local gold price and seasonal challenges, causing demand to drop 8 percent year-over-year to 147.9 tons.
Meanwhile, economic factors and a new value added tax (VAT) introduced in some Middle Eastern markets impacted jewelry demand.
Iran posted the region’s biggest Q2 decline, 35 percent to 6.6 tons, as the country faced renewed economic sanctions and a collapsing currency.
The United Arab Emirates (-24 percent) and Saudi Arabia (-10 percent) also were down due to the impact of the VAT, while Turkey posted a 10 percent decline as political tensions pushed the local gold price higher.
Egypt was the only country in the region to see improvement, with gold jewelry demand up 10 percent to 5.1 tons, though the year-over-year comparison is against a record-low quarter in 2017.
In addition to the United States, growth in China helped offset the poor demand in India and the Middle East. Gold jewelry
demand in China continued its recent recovery, rising 5 percent to 144.9 tons in the second quarter.
Consumers there increasingly are preferring innovative, creative pieces over traditional jewelry, and a greater emphasis is being put on innovative marketing and customer service as well, the WGC said.
Europe also saw a marginal uptick in second quarter demand from 14.4 tons to 14.5 tons, supported by a stable euro gold price, while growth in Indonesia and Vietnam helped offset weakness elsewhere in Asia.
Gold jewelry demand for the first half of the year worldwide remained virtually unchanged year-over-year at 1,031.2 tons.
The market for recycling gold was up 4 percent compared with the prior-year period, driven largely by Turkey and Iran.
Consumers there increasingly are preferring innovative, creative pieces over traditional jewelry, and a greater emphasis is being put on innovative marketing and customer service as well, the WGC said.
Europe also saw a marginal uptick in second quarter demand from 14.4 tons to 14.5 tons, supported by a stable euro gold price, while growth in Indonesia and Vietnam helped offset weakness elsewhere in Asia.
Gold jewelry demand for the first half of the year worldwide remained virtually unchanged year-over-year at 1,031.2 tons.
The market for recycling gold was up 4 percent compared with the prior-year period, driven largely by Turkey and Iran.
More on Surveys
The Latest
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
