EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
MajorsFeb 09, 2018
Gold Jewelry Demand Rose 3% in the US Last Year
Improved consumer sentiment helped fourth quarter demand reach an eight-year high.
Gold jewelry demand in the United States recovered last year, increasing 3 percent to 122.1 tons. Seen here is the “Vega” ring by Ashley Childs in 18-karat yellow gold ($4,699).
London--Worldwide demand for gold jewelry saw its first annual increase since 2013 last year, the World Gold Council said.
In its Gold Demand Trends report for 2017, the WGC reported demand for gold jewelry was up 4 percent worldwide to 2,135.5 tons, though it added that demand is still weak “in a historical context.”
According to Kitco, the average price of gold in 2017 was $1,257.12 per ounce.
The United States, India and China were the main drivers of the increase, together accounting for 78 of the 82-ton increase in the worldwide demand.
The U.S. market returned to growth in 2017; annual gold jewelry demand in the U.S. was up 3 percent for the year to 122.1 tons, with fourth quarter demand reaching an eight-year high and annual demand reaching a level not seen since 2010.
An “encouraging economic environment” that buoyed consumer sentiment helped to drive demand for gold jewelry.
According to the World Gold Council, online sales accounted for an increasingly larger share of jewelry demand. This trend played to the strengths of the larger, higher-end retailers, it said, while lower-end mass-market retailers suffered.
Despite the recovery in the U.S. in 2017, the WGC noted it still is a “long way from previous levels.”
20180209_US-chart: Gold jewelry demand in the U.S. dating back to 2010
In other countries, Indian gold jewelry demand was up 12 percent in the full year, due in large part to a weak 2016, while China was up 3 percent.
Smaller Asian markets were weaker in demand in both the fourth quarter and the full year, with the exception of Indonesia and Vietnam, and annual demand in Turkey and the Middle East also were down.
Europe also saw its third consecutive decline in annual gold jewelry demand, attributed in large part to weakness in the U.K., where demand suffered due to Brexit concerns, the WGC’s report said.
Global gold demand across all categories (not just jewelry) was down by 7 percent to 4,071.1 tons.
Fourth quarter demand rallied to increase 6 percent year-over-year to 1,095.8 tons but the WGC said it was still “too little too late” to save the full-year performance.
Total gold supply in 2017 also was down, declining 4 percent.
This was led by a 10 percent decrease in recycling of the precious metal, due in large part to the unusually high levels reported in 2016, and
partially offset by a slight increase in mine production to 3,268.7 tons in 2018, the highest annual total in the WGC’s records.
More on Majors
The Latest
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
Weekly QuizNov 06, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
Policies & IssuesNov 04, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case WednesdayAhead of the hearing, two industry organizations co-signed an amicus brief urging the court to declare Trump’s tariffs unlawful.
ColumnistsNov 04, 2025
Peter Smith: What Do Birds Have to Do With the Price of Gold? Smith cautions retailers against expending too much energy on things they can’t control, like the rising price of gold.
TrendsNov 04, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Fall Colors for November BirthdaysCitrine and topaz are birthstones fit for fall as the leaves change color and the holiday season approaches.
IndependentsNov 04, 2025
Weston Jewelers Heads to Fort LauderdaleThe family-owned jeweler will open its fourth store in Florida in late 2027.
CrimeNov 03, 2025
Men Dressed as Construction Workers Burglarize Jeweler’s Home The NYPD is looking for three men who stole a safe and jewelry valued at $3.2 million from the home of a jeweler in Jamaica Hills, Queens.
CollectionsNov 03, 2025
Muse’s ‘Have a Heart’ Collab Returns, Now With DDGThe “Have a Heart x Diamonds Do Good” collection is championed by model and humanitarian Flaviana Matata and will benefit her foundation.
AuctionsNov 03, 2025
Kashmir Sapphire Ring Tops Christie's Online AuctionThe ring, set with a nearly 17-carat Kashmir cabochon sapphire, sold for $1 million.
TrendsOct 31, 2025
Piece of the Week: A Spinner Fit for ‘Frankenstein’This “Mother Father” spinner necklace from Heavenly Vices Fine Jewelry draws inspiration from Victorian Era jewelry.
CrimeOct 31, 2025
5 More Arrested in Louvre Heist, Jewelry Still Missing The suspects were rounded up in Paris and its suburbs on Wednesday night, but none of the stolen jewels were recovered with them.
Recorded WebinarsOct 31, 2025
Watch: How to Master Google Reviews for Your BusinessExperts share top tips on how to encourage positive reviews and handle negative feedback.
Supplier BulletinOct 30, 2025
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessSponsored by the Gemological Institute of America
CrimeOct 30, 2025
29-Year-Old Man Charged in Multiple Seattle-Area Smash and Grabs The suspect faces charges in the August robbery of Menashe & Sons Jewelers and is accused of committing smash and grabs at two pawn shops.
Lab-GrownOct 30, 2025
Alison Lou’s New Collection Uses Lab-Grown Diamonds and ResinThe “Lumière Fine” collection was born from designer Alison Chemla’s interest in the transformative power of light.
TrendsOct 30, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: A Haunted HalloweenShow off your spooky side with these 12 festive jewels.
