EditorsMar 16, 2026
2026 Oscars Jewelry: One Necklace After AnotherNatalie Francisco rounds up the top Oscars jewels, including Rose Byrne’s Taffin necklace with a more than 20-carat yellow-brown diamond.
MajorsAug 04, 2017
US Gold Jewelry Demand Up 4% in Q2
Global demand also was up on the back of a 41 percent increase in India.
Demand for gold jewelry in the U.S. was up 4 percent in the second quarter. Pictured here is Gurhan’s “Pointelle” cuff with scattered diamonds set in 22-karat yellow gold ($14,500).
London--Gold jewelry demand was on the rise in the second quarter of 2017, posting increases in both the U.S. market and worldwide.
In its latest Gold Demand Trends Report, the World Gold Council said Q2 demand in the United States rose 4 percent to 26.9 tons in the second quarter, falling just under the five-year quarterly average of 28.9 tons.
Demand in the first half of the year also rose 4 percent to reach 49.9 tons, due to improving consumer sentiment, the WGC said. This marks the highest first-half total since 2009.
The average gold price was $1,256.60 per ounce in the second quarter, about flat when compared with the same period last year.
Global demand for gold jewelry was up as well in Q2, rising 8 percent year-over-year to 480.8 tons, though this is compared to a very weak Q2 2016, the WGC said. It also remained well below the five-year quarterly average of 586.2 tons.
India drove global Q2 jewelry demand growth almost singlehandedly, the WGC said, with demand there rising from 89.8 tons last year to 126.7 tons this year.
This strong recovery was expected after exceptional import figures were reported and hit an all-time high in May as the market stockpiled gold ahead of the June Goods and Services Tax rate announcement.
Second quarter demand in Europe was weak, falling 4 percent.
Demand was particularly weak in the U.K., where uncertainty over Brexit deterred consumers from spending money. Q2 jewelry demand there was down 3 percent, hitting a three-year low of 3.8 tons.
Italian demand stablished at 4 tons, and the market is expected to manage some growth in the second half of 2017.
In China, jewelry demand weakened again but the pace of the decrease slowed. Demand decreased 5 percent year-over-year to 137.7 tons, the lowest second quarter for the country in five years. In the market, younger consumers are pulling away from the 24-karat gold tradition and pieces with lower gold content are being produced to fill that void.
In the Middle East, regional jewelry demand was flat but, on a country-by-country basis, there were marked differences, the WGC said.
In Egypt, demand was down 20 percent to hit a new low at 4.7 tons, while demand in Iran was up 15 percent to 10.2 tons. A dip in the local price of the metal in Turkey, meanwhile, triggered a
20 percent year-over-year increase in demand.
More on Majors
The Latest
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
SourcingMar 12, 2026
Grandview Klein Opens New Factory in South Africa The 10,000-square-foot diamond manufacturing facility officially opened in late February and employs 50 people.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
MJSA ‘Future of Jewelry Making’ Scholarship Applications OpenThe MJSA Education Foundation’s scholarships support students pursuing jewelry careers.
AuctionsMar 11, 2026
‘Spectacular’ 26-Carat Diamond Going Up for Auction in London The largest white diamond to come to market in the U.K. in more than a decade, the VVS1, I-color stone is expected to top $1 million.
TechnologyMar 11, 2026
Cast Jewelry’s Rachel Skelly on Coming Back Online Only Skelly shares her plans for reimagining the fine jewelry retailer she re-acquired after it faltered last year.
CollectionsMar 11, 2026
Pyrrha Highlights ‘The Space Between’ In New CollectionThe collection takes inspiration from the emotional space between people, moments, and experiences.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
From the Jazz Age to the Information Age: London Jewelers Turns 100In 2026, the jewelry retailer is celebrating a milestone only a small percentage of family-owned businesses survive to see.
IndependentsMar 11, 2026
Virginia Jewelers Raise Nearly $30K for Children’s HospitalThe group of jewelers held a jewelry raffle in support of the Children’s Hospital of Richmond at VCU.
FinancialsMar 10, 2026
Signet Jewelers’ Q4 Sales Fall Flat The jewelry giant released preliminary results for the fourth quarter and full year on Monday, with final results slated to come next week.
TrendsMar 10, 2026
Messika Names Julianne Moore as AmbassadorThe award-winning actress is the “epitome of modern allure,” the brand said.
CollectionsMar 10, 2026
Gemstones ‘Bloom’ in Sorellina’s New CollectionThe “Bloom” collection draws from the flower power movement of the 1960s and ‘70s with inlay pendants offered in eight colorways.
Events & AwardsMar 10, 2026
Diamond-Studded Painting Shines at RJO Foundation AuctionThe unique piece was one of the custom works offered at the foundation's recent silent art auction, which garnered nearly $15,000 in total.
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
