ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
TechnologyJun 13, 2016
Business Pulse: Are You Selling Online?
According to our latest Business Pulse survey, the answer for many jewelers is no, for now.
A total of 24 percent of those who took National Jeweler/Jewelers of America’s latest Business Pulse survey said they have e-commerce enabled website but, as the chart at right shows, online sales still account for a very small percentage of their overall business.
New York--National Jeweler/Jewelers of America’s latest Business Pulse poll found that many jewelers still aren’t selling jewelry on their websites, though some seem to be warming up to the idea.
When asked to describe their company’s web presence, the highest percentage of respondents (69 percent) said they have a website but it’s not e-commerce enabled.
About a quarter of survey-takers do have e-commerce on their sites while only 6 percent reported having no website at all.
Of the 24 percent of respondents with e-commerce-enabled websites, 75 percent are making less than 1 percent of their overall sales online, while 11 percent are making between 1 and 1.9 percent of sales there.
Only 8 percent of respondents reported that online sales accounted for more than 4 percent of their store’s total sales. As one survey-taker noted, “The majority of my peers (small stores doing $800K to $1.2 million) find that it (online sales) is not significant.”
While it might not seem “significant” now, many digital experts argue that having e-commerce is a must in retail today.
Even if a lot of sales aren’t made on a store’s website, they argue, it at least gives customers the option to make a purchase should they change their mind about a piece of jewelry after leaving the store or need time to contemplate a purchase.
It also gives jewelers the chance to reach customers outside their immediate area.
So, will more independent jewelers come around to the idea of e-commerce in the future? The survey seems to point to yes.
The 2 percent of respondents who marked “other” when asked to describe their company’s web presence said they are in the process of building a website that will include e-commerce, and four more jewelers said the same in the comments sections of the survey--that online sales are part of their website redevelopment plans.
Lamb and lion
National Jeweler/Jewelers of America’s Business Pulse poll for April also asked jewelers about their store’s sales in the month of March as compared with March 2015.
The greatest percentage of respondents, 29 percent, reported a drop in business of less than 25 percent while nearly the same percentage (28 percent) reported business was up less than 25 percent.
Twenty-two percent recorded flat sales in March.
Very few jewelers found themselves at extreme ends of the spectrum, with only 15 percent up more than 25 percent and 6 percent down that same amount.
National Jeweler
and Jewelers of America conducted their joint Business and Product Pulse poll between April 25 and May 6. A total of 118 jewelers completed the Business Pulse section of the poll.
The Product Pulse portion of the survey questioned jewelers about their gold jewelry sales. National Jeweler published those results last month.
The Product Pulse portion of the survey questioned jewelers about their gold jewelry sales. National Jeweler published those results last month.
More on Technology
The Latest
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
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.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
