EditorsJun 24, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 2Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 additional pieces that stood out to her at the Couture show.
SurveysAug 10, 2018
Study: 51 Percent of Millennial Women Buy Jewelry for Themselves
Some of their favorite brands include Tiffany, Pandora and Swarovski.
New York—Millennial women who purchase jewelry for themselves present a unique opportunity for luxury brands looking to reach Generation Y, a recent survey conducted by MVI Marketing shows.
A total of 1,001 women between the ages of 25 and 40 located in the United States and with a household income of $75,000 or higher completed the survey, which was conducted online between July 15-20. It focused on three product segments: jewelry, shoes and hotels.
MVI said the results of its study “reinforce reasons for optimism for luxury brands seeking an entry- level point with millennial consumers.”
In fact, MVI has named the consumer segment of the millennial female who purchases jewelry for herself “The Luxury Growth Demographic of Opportunity,” because they have a 30-year-plus spending cycle that’s just beginning, their brand attachments still are in the formative stage and their brand loyalty can be attained by factors like content engagement, style and adornment.
“You can see all the signs of a demographic segment that will be spending for themselves, and for gifts, in increasing numbers and escalating price points,” MVI President Liz Chatelain said.
More than 51 percent of respondents said they purchase jewelry for themselves.
Another 14 percent said they purchase it as a gift for their spouse/partner, 17 percent said they make jewelry purchases together, and 18 percent said their spouse or partner purchase jewelry for them.
When respondents were asked about their motivations for buying jewelry for themselves, the top reasons included being able to get exactly what they want; rewarding themselves for a milestone; “just because;” and commemorating a special memory or trip, among others.
The survey also asked what specific brands respondents owned or were most likely to purchase, and Tiffany & Co., Pandora and Swarovski came out on top. The list also included Alex and Ani, Gucci, Cartier and Tory Burch.
According to the study, nearly 91 percent of survey takers indicated they research a brand before buying it.
Though MVI has done a few other studies about female consumers who buy jewelry for themselves, this was the first time they asked respondents how likely they were to buy a lab-grown diamond.
Forty-three percent indicated they would maybe purchase a lab-grown diamond but don’t know much about them; 21 percent said they would probably purchase a lab-grown diamond as they learn more about them; and 13 percent indicated they were very
likely to buy a lab-grown diamond.
MVI also asked survey-takers about their preferred metal for jewelry, and the results were led by white metals: 35 percent said white gold, 17 percent said silver and 15 percent said platinum.
Thirteen percent of respondents indicated they preferred rose gold and 11 percent said yellow.
The remainder said they didn’t know or didn’t have a preference (6 percent) or preferred mixed-metal pieces (3 percent).
The survey also questioned respondents about preferred jewelry designs, and topping the list was diamond jewelry, followed by gemstone jewelry and platinum with diamonds.
MVI also asked survey-takers about their preferred metal for jewelry, and the results were led by white metals: 35 percent said white gold, 17 percent said silver and 15 percent said platinum.
Thirteen percent of respondents indicated they preferred rose gold and 11 percent said yellow.
The remainder said they didn’t know or didn’t have a preference (6 percent) or preferred mixed-metal pieces (3 percent).
The survey also questioned respondents about preferred jewelry designs, and topping the list was diamond jewelry, followed by gemstone jewelry and platinum with diamonds.
More on Surveys
The Latest
IndependentsJun 24, 2025
Colorado Bench Jeweler Celebrates 50 Years With Local RetailerLori Tucker started at Williams Jewelers when she was 18 years old.
WatchesJun 24, 2025
Citizen’s New ‘Fantastic Four’ Watch Is Literally Super The “Marvel | Citizen Zenshin” watch is crafted in Super Titanium and has subtle nods to all four “Fantastic Four” superheroes on the dial.
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.
MajorsJun 24, 2025
Tacori, QVC to Launch Exclusive Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CollectionThe “XO Tacori” collection was designed to blend luxury and accessible pricing.
Weekly QuizJun 20, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
GradingJun 23, 2025
GIA Names New President and CEO Pritesh Patel, the lab’s chief operating officer, will take over as president and CEO of GIA.
Recorded WebinarsJun 23, 2025
Watch: Top Trends at Couture, JCK Las Vegas 2025National Jeweler and Jewelers of America discuss the standout jewelry trends and biggest news to emerge from the shows this year.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America is Headed to Las Vegas for JCK 2025The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.
SourcingJun 23, 2025
Diamond Producers, Organizations to Kick in Money to Promote Natural DiamondsSignatories to the “Luanda Accord” committed to allocating 1 percent of annual diamond revenue to the Natural Diamond Council.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Jose Hess Design Awards Celebrate 6 Jewelry DesignersThe winning designs captured the “Radiance” theme.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2025
Gem Awards Now Accepting Nominations for 2026Nominations in the categories of Jewelry Design, Media Excellence, and Retail Innovation will be accepted through July 30.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Dua Lipa Stays On-Trend With Chunky Engagement RingThe singer’s ring ticks off many bridal trends, with a thick band, half-bezel setting, and solitaire diamond.
TrendsJun 20, 2025
Piece of the Week: Yvonne Léon’s ‘Python Gold’ BraceletThe bracelet references vintage high jewelry and snake symbolism as a playful piece where a python’s head becomes a working belt buckle.
CrimeJun 18, 2025
7 Men Indicted in $100M Brinks Jewelry HeistThe heist happened in Lebec, California, in 2022 when a Brinks truck was transporting goods from one show in California to another.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
Historic ‘Marie-Thérèse Pink’ Diamond Fetches $14M at Christie’sThe 10-carat fancy purple-pink diamond with potential links to Marie Antoinette headlined the white-glove jewelry auction this week.
EditorsJun 18, 2025
Q&A: Caryl Capeci Dives Into Cruise Jewelry ShoppingThe Starboard Cruises SVP discusses who is shopping for jewelry on ships, how much they’re spending, and why brands should get on board.
AuctionsJun 18, 2025
16th-Century ‘Gresham Grasshopper’ Ring Sells for $56KThe historic signet ring exceeded its estimate at Noonans Mayfair’s jewelry auction this week.
CollectionsJun 18, 2025
Kirk Kara Celebrates 135 Years With New JewelsTo mark the milestone, the brand is introducing new non-bridal fine jewelry designs for the first time in two decades.
SourcingJun 18, 2025
Gemfields Sells 36-Carat Rough RubyThe gemstone is the third most valuable ruby to come out of the Montepuez mine, Gemfields said.
TechnologyJun 18, 2025
Alex Brown Named President of Smithee GroupFounder and longtime CEO Ben Smithee will stay with the agency, transitioning into the role of founding partner and strategic advisor.
EditorsJun 17, 2025
The Best New Jewelry from Couture 2025, Part 1Associate Editor Natalie Francisco shares 20 of her favorite pieces from the jewelry collections that debuted at Couture.
ColumnistsJun 17, 2025
Peter Smith: Is Your Comp Plan a Hiring Hindrance?If you want to attract good salespeople and generate a stream of “sleeping money” for your jewelry store, then you are going to have to pay.
AuctionsJun 17, 2025
Colored Gemstones, Signed Jewels Shine in Sotheby’s High Jewelry SaleThe top lot was a colorless Graff diamond, followed by a Burmese ruby necklace by Marcus & Co.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Amanda Gizzi Gets a Promotion at JAGizzi, who has been in the industry since 2001, is now Jewelers of America’s senior vice president of corporate affairs.
MajorsJun 17, 2025
Kering Names Automotive Exec as Its New CEOLuca de Meo, a 30-year veteran of the auto industry, will succeed longtime CEO François-Henri Pinault.
EditorsJun 16, 2025
Q&A: Bogolo Joy Kenewendo on Mining, Tariffs, and the Energy of Las VegasFollowing visits to Vegas and New York, Botswana’s minerals minister sat down with Michelle Graff to discuss the state of the diamond market.
IndependentsJun 16, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Launches Commitment Campaign Celebrating LGBTQ+ CouplesThe “Your Love Has the Perfect Ring” campaign showcases the strength of love and need for inclusivity and representation, the jeweler said.
