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.
MajorsAug 06, 2019
US Gold Jewelry Demand Hits 10-Year High in H1
The second quarter also was the market’s 10th consecutive quarter of growth, the World Gold Council said.
In Q2, the U.S. market recorded its 10th consecutive quarter of growth in gold jewelry demand. Pictured here are a pair of gold and diamond earrings from Lalaounis.
London—Gold jewelry demand was up slightly in the second quarter, aided by the United States and Middle East while the June price increase curtailed demand elsewhere, the World Gold Council said.
According to its latest Gold Demand Trends report, the global appetite for gold jewelry reached 531.7 tons in Q2, a 2 percent year-over-year increase.
In the first half of the year, it totaled 1,061.9 tons, a four-year high and a 1 percent increase on last year’s 1,048.2 tons.
The U.S. recorded its 10th consecutive quarter of growth in gold jewelry demand in Q2, lifting first-half demand to a 10-year high of 53.4 tons.
The market recovered from the effect of the late 2018/early 2019 government shutdown, the World Gold Council said, and consumer confidence rose again in the first two months of the quarter before slipping in June as concerns grew over the country’s trade war with China.
In India, meanwhile, gold jewelry demand had its best quarter of year-over-year growth since Q2 2017. Demand was up 12 percent to 168.6 tons, compared with 149.9 tons in the same period in 2018.
WGC attributed the growth to two factors: a higher number of auspicious wedding days when compared with Q2 2018 (37 versus 21) and local gold prices decreasing from the levels seen in February and March.
China’s gold jewelry market, meanwhile, saw its third consecutive quarter of year-over-year decline.
Demand in the second quarter dropped 4 percent to 137.8 tons, which, when combined with Q1’s relatively soft number, resulted in a 3 percent decline in H1 demand to 321.4 tons.
In other Asian markets, Q2 brought a mixed bag.
Relatively weak economic growth, political instability and stricter controls on high-value transactions contributed to jewelry demand in Thailand declining 12 percent to just 2.2 tons, its lowest for almost six years.
Meanwhile, despite a sharp rise in gold price, consumers in Indonesia bought 11.8 tons of jewelry in the second quarter, its highest quarterly rate since Q1 2015.
Europe saw “marginal” losses in Q2, with demand declining to 14.3 tons.
Modest improvements in France and Germany failed to match losses in the U.K. and Italy as Brexit concerns in the former and a slumping consumer confidence in the latter dragged the markets down.
Middle Eastern demand grew “fractionally,” with several markets across the region improving. Egypt led the region with an 8 percent uptick, its sixth consecutive quarter of
year-over-year growth amid continued improvement in its economy.
Overall demand for gold, for jewelry as well as other uses, totaled 1,123 tons in the second quarter, an 8 percent increase year-over-year.
Demand in the first half jumped to a three-year high of 2,181.7 tons, according to the World Gold Council, due largely to record-breaking central bank purchases.
Global mine production grew 2 percent year-over-year in Q2, reaching 882.6 tons. This is a record level of global output for a second quarter, WGC said, and follows a Q1 record of 847.5 tons.
Total H1 mine production now stands at 1,730.2 tons, 1 percent higher than the prior-year period.
Recycled gold supply totaled 314.6 tons in Q2, a 9 percent year-over-year increase; higher gold prices encouraged a “wave of selling,” according to the WGC.
In H1, recycled gold totaled 602 tons, 7 percent higher than the same period in 2018 and the highest first half since 2016.
Overall demand for gold, for jewelry as well as other uses, totaled 1,123 tons in the second quarter, an 8 percent increase year-over-year.
Demand in the first half jumped to a three-year high of 2,181.7 tons, according to the World Gold Council, due largely to record-breaking central bank purchases.
Global mine production grew 2 percent year-over-year in Q2, reaching 882.6 tons. This is a record level of global output for a second quarter, WGC said, and follows a Q1 record of 847.5 tons.
Total H1 mine production now stands at 1,730.2 tons, 1 percent higher than the prior-year period.
Recycled gold supply totaled 314.6 tons in Q2, a 9 percent year-over-year increase; higher gold prices encouraged a “wave of selling,” according to the WGC.
In H1, recycled gold totaled 602 tons, 7 percent higher than the same period in 2018 and the highest first half since 2016.
More on Majors
The Latest
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizMar 12, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
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.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
