Events & AwardsJun 06, 2025
Here Are the 2025 Retailer Hall of Fame InducteesThis year’s honorees include a Midwest retailer and two multi-store independents, one in New York and the other in New England.
MajorsMay 08, 2017
US Gold Jewelry Demand Up 3% in Q1
A post-election lift in consumer sentiment buoyed demand in the market while global demand was basically flat.
U.S. gold jewelry demand just recorded its strongest first quarter since 2010, the World Gold Council said. Pictured here are Sandy Leong’s Thin Canyon bangles in 18-karat recycled yellow, white and “champagne” gold ($20,500 as shown).
London--Despite a tepid performance globally, gold jewelry demand in the United States continued to grow in the first quarter, leading to the strongest Q1 since 2010, according to the World Gold Council.
In its latest Gold Demand Trends Report, the WGC said a post-election lift in U.S. consumer sentiment buoyed demand, which increased 3 percent to 22.9 tons during the period.
It also reported that yellow gold was more popular in the U.S. than in European markets, and that high-end and online retailers performed strongly.
The online segment also, unsurprisingly, continues to gain strength in the country, particularly with continued growth in “clicks-and-bricks” retailing and omnichannel shopping, the council said.
Globally, gold jewelry demand was basically flat in Q1, increasing just 1 percent to 480.9 tons.
The metal’s rising price contributed to softness in demand during the quarter; its 9 percent increase in the U.S. between end-December and end-March played a major part in that, though consumers in many markets were slightly protected by the weakness of the U.S. dollar.
The price of gold in the first quarter averaged $1,219.50 per ounce.
India, Iran and the U.S. all recorded increases in demand for gold jewelry, the WGC said, which just outweighed the modest declines elsewhere.
Indian jewelry demand jumped 16 percent from last year’s “exceptionally low level” as market conditions improved after a tough year and the “gradual remonetization of the economy” is supporting the market.
In China, meanwhile, demand for gold jewelry softened slightly with a 2 percent decline year-over-year as a seasonal uplift offset the impact of higher prices. Even as the market is affected by a slowing economic environment and changing consumer tastes, retailers and manufacturers in the country are attempting to introduce trends that appeal to younger consumers and innovate.
Europe’s performance was negatively affected by a weakness in France, impacted by pre-election uncertainty and the rise in terrorist activity impacting tourism, and the U.K.
Total global gold demand--counting jewelry as well as investment and other uses--in the first quarter was down 18 percent year-on-year to 1,034.5 tons.
The first quarter 2017 numbers suffered from a comparison with Q1 2016, WGC said, as it was the strongest first quarter ever at 1,261.8 tons.
More on Majors
The Latest
CollectionsJun 06, 2025
Piece of the Week: Harwell Godfrey’s ‘Granny Squares Eleanor’ Necklace As an homage to iconic crochet blankets, the necklace features the nostalgic motif through a kaleidoscope of cabochon-cut stones.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
The 12 Fresh Faces in Couture’s Design AtelierDiscover the dozen up-and-coming brands exhibiting in the Design Atelier for the first time.
Brought to you by
The True Power Behind the Counter: Why Sales Associates Are the Heart of the Jewelry BusinessWhen investing in your jewelry business, it's important not to overlook the most crucial element of success: the sales associates.
SourcingJun 05, 2025
A Rare Suite of Rubies Has Arrived in Las VegasThe “Royal Ruby” Collection is a quintet of untreated rubies curated by collector Jack Abraham.
Weekly QuizJun 05, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Daymond John to Give Keynote at JCK Las VegasThe entrepreneur and “Shark Tank” star will share his top tips for success.
Events & AwardsJun 05, 2025
Zillion Announces 'Women in STEM' Scholarship RecipientMeredith Tiderington, an electrical engineering student, was selected for the award.
Brought to you by
Clienteling Isn’t a Buzzword. It’s an Essential Business Model.More shoppers are walking out without buying. Here’s how smart jewelers can bring them back—and the tool they need to do it right.
Lab-GrownJun 04, 2025
GIA Reverting to More General Terminology for Lab-Grown DiamondsIt will quit assigning the stones specific color and clarity grades in favor of applying “new descriptive terminology.”
Events & AwardsJun 04, 2025
As JCK Talks Returns, Don’t Miss These 12 SessionsFrom design trends to sustainability, here’s a roundup of can’t-miss education sessions at JCK Las Vegas.
CrimeJun 04, 2025
10 Safety Tips for the Las Vegas Shows The Jewelers’ Security Alliance offers advice for those attending the annual trade shows.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
In Her Latest Collection, Viviana Langhoff Is Leaning Into GoldThe designer is embracing bold pieces with weight to them in “AU79,” a collection she celebrated with a creative launch party.
FinancialsJun 03, 2025
Signet Jewelers Sees Turnaround in Q1 With Sales Ticking Up 2%On an earnings call, CEO J.K. Symancyk discussed what’s working for the company and how it’s preparing for the potential impact of tariffs.
SurveysJun 03, 2025
Consumer Confidence Improves in May The index partially rebounded after months of decline, due in part to the U.S.-China deal to temporarily reduce import tariffs.
CollectionsJun 03, 2025
Dakota Johnson Is Roberto Coin’s New Brand AmbassadorThe actress stars in the latest campaign set in Venice, Italy, and is set to participate in other creative initiatives for the jeweler.
GradingJun 03, 2025
Mason-Kay Jade Adds ‘Fei Cui’ to Jade ReportsThe company has joined other labs, including GIA and Lotus Gemology, in adopting the Chinese term for "jadeite jade."
SourcingJun 02, 2025
Gemfields’ June Auction to Include 36-Carat RubyThe large stone will be offered at its June sale along with a selection of secondary-type rubies from a new area of the Montepuez mine.
GradingJun 02, 2025
GSI Opens New Lab in Thailand Located in Bangkok, the laboratory is Gemological Science International’s 14th location worldwide.
TrendsJun 02, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Three Gems for June Those born in June have a myriad of options for their birthstone jewelry.
SourcingJun 02, 2025
David Allouche Joins Grandview Klein DiamondsThe diamond industry veteran has been named its senior sales executive.
FinancialsMay 30, 2025
Movado’s Q1 Sales Slip Amid ‘Challenging’ Retail Environment The company plans to raise the prices of select watches to offset the impact of tariffs.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Tariffs & Designers: Navigating Pricing in an Unstable EnvironmentBetween tariffs and the sky-high cost of gold, designers enter this year’s Las Vegas shows with a lot of questions and few answers.
CollectionsMay 30, 2025
Piece of the Week: Renato Cipullo’s ‘Hematite Blaze’ NecklaceDesigned by founder Renato and his daughter Serena Cipullo, it showcases a flame motif representing unity and the power of gathering.
Policies & IssuesMay 30, 2025
Trade Court Declares Trump’s Tariffs InvalidHowever, the tariffs remain in effect in the short term, as an appeals court has stayed the U.S. Court of International Trade’s decision.
CollectionsMay 29, 2025
Britney Spears Files Trademark for New Jewelry LineThe pop icon is one step closer to launching her “B Tiny” jewelry collection, a collection she first began posting about last fall.
Supplier BulletinMay 29, 2025
Inoveo Platinum Grain, Exclusively Distributed by StullerSponsored by Stuller
SourcingMay 29, 2025
Grizzly Auctions 6,620-Carat EmeraldIt was featured in the miner’s latest sale, which brought in $24.8 million.
