EditorsNov 06, 2026
The Spectrum Pieces I Can’t Stop Thinking AboutFrom a Betta fish brooch to a “dragon’s trove” of zircon eggs, here are seven pieces that’ve stuck with Associate Editor Lauren McLemore.
TechnologyJul 12, 2017
Amazon’s 2017 Prime Day Was Its Biggest Sales Day Yet
The 30-hour-long event broke records again, surpassing both Black Friday and Cyber Monday for the e-tailer.
Seattle--Sales on Amazon Prime Day 2017, which officially kicked off Monday evening, surpassed Black Friday and Cyber Monday to make it the biggest sales day in company history, the e-tailer said Wednesday morning.
This year, Amazon made Prime Day bigger and broader in an effort to pull more consumers into its Prime membership.
It was 30 hours long, versus 24 last year, and offered in three additional countries--China, India and Mexico--bringing the total reach of the sales event to 13 nations worldwide.
It seems like the move was the right one, as sales this year were up by more than 60 percent when compared with the same 30-hour period last year, Amazon reported.
The company said year-over-year sales growth for small businesses and entrepreneurs who sell on the e-commerce site was even more than that.
While Amazon hasn’t provided specific sales figures for the day, Business Insider reported last week that JP Morgan analysts were estimating Amazon could rake in $1 billion on Prime Day, representing a 55 percent increase over last year.
What Amazon did report is that “tens of millions of Prime members made a purchase on Prime Day 2017,” representing more than a 50 percent increase on the prior year. Additionally, more new members joined Prime than on any other single day in the e-tailer’s history (again, exact numbers weren’t revealed.)
Overall, the most popular purchase was the Echo Dot, Amazon’s audio-enabled speaker that can act as a personal home assistant (its price dropped $15 on Prime Day to $34.99.) In fact, Prime members purchased seven times more Amazon Echo devices globally than on Prime Day 2016.
Excluding Amazon devices, the top sellers in the U.S. were a multi-use programmable pressure cooker and a DNA test.
Interestingly, the pressure cooker also was a top seller in Canada, along with an eight-pack of rechargeable AA batteries.
Meanwhile, in the U.K. the best-selling products were a smart plug that works with Alexa and the Sony Playstation 4, and in France and Belgium they bought up PlayStation Plus memberships and the complete set of “Game of Thrones,” seasons 1 through 6, on Blu-Ray.
In the U.S., the most popular themes to shop by were Home Chefs, Techies and For the Home.
Amazon started Prime Day, a day of deep website-wide discounts open only to those who sign for the e-tailer’s Prime membership, in 2015.
The day has grown in sales every year
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
but also has evolved in terms of quality of experience for shoppers.
The first year brought so many complaints from consumers that the hashtag #PrimeDayFail was popping up everywhere. Last year, there were some complaints about issues with adding items to carts.
This year, though, things appeared to go more smoothly, with fewer complaints circulating the Twittersphere.
The first year brought so many complaints from consumers that the hashtag #PrimeDayFail was popping up everywhere. Last year, there were some complaints about issues with adding items to carts.
This year, though, things appeared to go more smoothly, with fewer complaints circulating the Twittersphere.
More on Technology
The Latest
TrendsNov 06, 2026
Pat Pruitt’s DragonFly Earrings Take Flight on Election NightGroundbreaking New Mexico Governor-elect Deb Haaland wore the earrings, our Piece of the Week, when she declared victory on Tuesday.
MajorsNov 06, 2026
SNL’s Colin Jost Finds the Perfect Gift in Kay Jewelers’ Holiday AdJost goes on an epic journey, traversing rough seas and encountering a cyclops, to discover the perfect holiday gift.
Brought to you by
How Overnight Mountings’ Bridal Builder Makes Custom Engagement Ring Design Easier to SellWith customization becoming more expected in engagement ring shopping, the Bridal Builder makes the process tangible.
Supplier BulletinNov 05, 2026
Winning With GCAL 8X®: What’s Working at the CounterSponsored by GCAL by Sarine
Weekly QuizNov 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysNov 05, 2026
What Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearFrom shrinking budgets to AI elves, here are five takeaways from holiday reports by Bain, Adobe, Mastercard, NRF, and insights from YouGov.
CollectionsNov 05, 2026
Judi Powers, Russell Jones Unleash Joy With New CollaborationThe designers combined their talents for Little Pet Portraits, hand-painted miniatures of our best friends set in a piece of jewelry.
Brought to you by
A Diamond Is Forever Launches 2026 Holiday Campaign Championing Natural DiamondsA Diamond Is Forever's holiday campaign reimagines natural diamond icons for a new generation celebrating individuality.
FinancialsNov 05, 2026
Brilliant Earth Continued to Resonate With High-Income Shoppers in Q3Its non-bridal fine jewelry remains the star of the show, recently launching new collections inspired by Elizabeth Taylor and Jane Goodall.
MajorsNov 05, 2026
Ariana Grande Stars In Swarovski’s Holiday Campaign“Joy: The Swarovski Musical” features Ariana Grande as the leading lady in scenes inspired by classic musical montages.
GradingNov 05, 2026
GIA to Offer Next-Day Holiday ServicesThe lab will bring back its complimentary next-day service for some reports starting next week.
CrimeNov 04, 2026
$250K+ in Undeclared Cartier Jewelry Seized at Philadelphia AirportA Pennsylvania woman failed to declare a ring and a bracelet, discarding the boxes and receipts to conceal the purchases, officials said.
FinancialsNov 04, 2026
Pandora’s Q3 Sales Up 7% Amid Focus on DesignNew collections and relevant marketing pushed the company forward, while Pandora’s lab-grown diamond sales continue to lag.
Events & AwardsNov 04, 2026
NYC Jewelry Week 2026 Is the Largest Edition YetThe citywide celebration, slated for Nov. 16-22, is set to host more than 175 events, including live jewelry-making demos.
MajorsNov 04, 2026
Bergdorf Goodman Names New PresidentLanessa Elrod, former president and CEO of Louis Vuitton Americas, has stepped into the role as the retailer celebrates 125 years.
AuctionsNov 03, 2026
Infinity Gauntlet Set With 170+ Carats of Colored Gemstones Up for AuctionA replica of one of the most powerful objects in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, the glove is heading to auction next month in Abu Dhabi.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Longtime Jewelry Marketer Arthur Klein Dies at 89Klein, who had his own marketing agency and worked for Gabriel & Co. and Trans American Diamond, is remembered as a kind man.
IndependentsNov 03, 2026
Zadok Jewelers Toasts To 50 Years With Diamond Bracelet GiveawayTo enter the giveaway, locals can purchase a featured beverage from one of eight participating restaurants in Houston and Austin, Texas.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
David Yurman Gem Awards Grant Opens 2027 ApplicationsThe grant recipient will be awarded $50,000 as well as mentoring meetings with executives at David Yurman and other industry executives.
Events & AwardsNov 03, 2026
NAJA, Instappraise Name 2026 Scholarship WinnersThe winners include a non-NAJA member seeking training, a member beginning NAJA courses, and a member becoming a Certified Master Appraiser.
AuctionsNov 02, 2026
197-Carat ‘Romanov Sapphire’ Heads to Sotheby’s GenevaThe rare jewel, which has links to Russia’s Romanov dynasty, is estimated to fetch up to $2 million.
CrimeNov 02, 2026
Customs Seizes More Than 400 Fake Audemars Piguet WatchesIt is one of several seizures of counterfeit jewelry and watches by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials in Louisville this year.
MajorsNov 02, 2026
Lawrence Bock, Caryl Capeci, Amanda Coleman-Phelps Join JA Board Jewelers of America announced the additions to its board of directors following its annual general meeting, held last week.
CollectionsNov 02, 2026
Olympian Kristi Yamaguchi, Heller Jewelers Expand ‘Always Dream’ CollectionThe jewelry collection supports Yamaguchi’s Always Dream foundation, which provides reading and educational resources to families in need.
Events & AwardsOct 30, 2026
Illuminating Carved Paraiba Pendant, Suite of Moonstones Wow at Spectrum AwardsSpectrum’s “Best of Show” honors went to a 101-carat Paraiba carved to look like Medusa that has a magnet-activated LED light.
TrendsOct 30, 2026
Edina Kiss’ Pendants Say ‘Eye’m Watching You’Our Halloween Pieces of the Week are four “Eye” pendants, each set with colorful gemstones.
MajorsOct 30, 2026
The RealReal Hires Former eBay Exec as New Chief Merchandising OfficerAlexis Hoopes expanded eBay’s “Authenticity Guarantee” program during her tenure.
