TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
SourcingSep 18, 2017
7 Facts from De Beers’s 2017 Report on Diamonds
It provides insights into who is buying diamond jewelry, what they are buying and why.
These 18-karat yellow gold “Rae” studs from Jade Trau feature two oval-cut diamonds weighing 0.30 carats ($1,900). De Beers’s study shows that in the United States, earrings are second only to rings in terms of the type of jewelry women buy for themselves.
New York--Much of what’s contained in De Beers’s 2017 Diamond Insight Report was foreshadowed by company executives at the annual Forevermark breakfast held during the Las Vegas jewelry shows back in June.
There, Forevermark U.S. President Charles Stanley and Stephen Lussier, Forevermark’s London-based global CEO, shared some details about Forevermark’s plans for the fourth quarter, announcing that this year, the diamond brand’s major marketing push for the year will be women-centric.
Why? Because women today are buying more diamond jewelry for themselves as they gain power, position and money in the workforce, and they also are exerting greater influence over those pieces bought as gifts for them.
Here are seven insights from De Beers’s research about their rising purchasing power in the fine jewelry segment, who’s buying, where they’re buying and more.
1. The U.S. was the main growth market for diamond jewelry sales in 2016 and accounts for nearly half of all demand worldwide.
De Beers said consumers spent $41 billion on diamond jewelry in the U.S. last year, up from $39 billion in 2015, a 4 percent year-over-year increase. Stable macro-economics, wage growth, a strong stock market and improved consumer confidence were the reasons for the increase in demand.
Globally, demand was essentially flat in 2016, totaling $80 billion, compared with $79 billion in 2015.
2. The amount of diamond jewelry women buy for themselves is on the rise.
In 2005, self-purchased diamond jewelry (excluding any bridal jewelry) represented 23 percent of all diamond jewelry bought in the U.S. market. That number rose to 24 percent in 2011, 27 percent in 2013 and 33 percent in 2015, according to De Beers’s research.
Women’s spending power has increased, and they are buying more diamond jewelry for themselves.
3. Even when they’re not buying, they have input.
In the U.S., women influence the purchasing decision behind gifts of diamond jewelry in 42 percent of the cases.
A number of jewelers interviewed for National Jeweler’s 50 Jewelers/50 States series have made a similar observation about the bridal-buying process today, remarking on the number of couples who now come in together to pick out engagement rings.
4. Married women buy more diamond jewelry for themselves than single women.
The most popular type of jewelry they purchase is the ring, followed by earrings.
The average price of what they buy is $1,300. That is slightly less than the average price of all diamond jewelry acquired for women, including gifts, which is $1,400.
5. The factor
that most often gets U.S. women buying is price.
Finding something on sale at a “very good” price motivates women in the U.S. to buy diamond jewelry more than anything else.
After price, the top motivators among U.S. women are: to treat themselves, to acquire a design that’s unique or unusual, to celebrate personal milestones and to celebrate relationship milestones, like engagements and wedding anniversaries.
6. Most of these purchases are made on impulse.
But among those for which prior research was done. 72 percent of that research took place online. Stores visits (23 percent) and magazines/advertising/celebrity endorsements (31 percent) were other avenues used for pre-purchase research.
7. The jewelry buying experience is too “serious.”
The report used information gleaned from “Female Tribes,” a rolling study conducted by J. Walter Thompson Planning Head Rachel Pashley. (JWT is the same firm that used to handle De Beers’s U.S. marketing and advertising, including the iconic “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign.)
Among Pashley’s observations: the jewelry buying experience is too “serious;” retailers need to find a way to make it fun and self-gratifying, and they should learn from the experiential approach taken by skincare companies.
“Give women permission to reward themselves,” she says. “Above all, ensure your communications embrace the possibilities, not the responsibilities, of being a woman.”
Finding something on sale at a “very good” price motivates women in the U.S. to buy diamond jewelry more than anything else.
After price, the top motivators among U.S. women are: to treat themselves, to acquire a design that’s unique or unusual, to celebrate personal milestones and to celebrate relationship milestones, like engagements and wedding anniversaries.
6. Most of these purchases are made on impulse.
But among those for which prior research was done. 72 percent of that research took place online. Stores visits (23 percent) and magazines/advertising/celebrity endorsements (31 percent) were other avenues used for pre-purchase research.
7. The jewelry buying experience is too “serious.”
The report used information gleaned from “Female Tribes,” a rolling study conducted by J. Walter Thompson Planning Head Rachel Pashley. (JWT is the same firm that used to handle De Beers’s U.S. marketing and advertising, including the iconic “A Diamond Is Forever” campaign.)
Among Pashley’s observations: the jewelry buying experience is too “serious;” retailers need to find a way to make it fun and self-gratifying, and they should learn from the experiential approach taken by skincare companies.
“Give women permission to reward themselves,” she says. “Above all, ensure your communications embrace the possibilities, not the responsibilities, of being a woman.”
More on Sourcing
The Latest
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
CrimeAug 06, 2026
Lalique Museum to Remain Closed Following $5M HeistMuseum officials are looking to the public to help cover the “exceptional” costs involved in recovering from the July 5 smash-and-grab.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
Claire’s Revamps Piercing Services for Second Time in Three Years The overhaul includes enhanced employee safety training and trendy earring styles, including lab-grown diamond studs.
FinancialsAug 06, 2026
Brilliant Earth’s Q2 Sales Up 6%, Driven by High-Income ShoppersThe retailer said it had its biggest Mother’s Day ever, with strong demand for higher-priced jewelry.
TrendsAug 06, 2026
New Book on Handcrafted American Objects Highlights Jewelry“Handwork: Handcrafted Objects that Made America” features historic and contemporary works, including a Diné squash blossom necklace.
MajorsAug 06, 2026
AJA East Coast Names Ani Khachian as First Female President-ElectThe Armenian Jewelers Association’s East Coast chapter has also elected its 2026–2027 board of directors.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Private Equity Firm Wants to Buy 100+ JCPenney StoresOnyx Partners has submitted a second offer to buy the department stores after its first offer fell through last year.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Atlanta Jeweler Introduces $10K MartiniSolomon Brothers Jewelers has partnered with local cocktail bar Roaring Social on a new martini garnished with a tennis necklace.
IndependentsAug 05, 2026
Another Member of the Siegel Family Joins Hamilton Jewelers Benjamin Siegel, son of President and CEO Hank Siegel, started working for the family business this week.
MajorsAug 05, 2026
Bulgari Opens Store in San DiegoThe new space features a modern design that blends Bulgari’s Roman heritage with San Diego’s coastal spirit.
CrimeAug 04, 2026
Crew of Thieves Break Into Indiana Jeweler’s HomeFour men were charged in connection with the break-in and accused of stealing $365,000 in cash, jewelry, and designer goods.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Pandora Hires Former Signet Board Member to Lead North American MarketAndré Branch has more than 25 years of experience with various brands, most recently serving as CEO of Ariana Grande’s cosmetics company.
MajorsAug 04, 2026
Sasha Primak Acquires GemlokNew York-based atelier Gemlok is best known for creating the innovative “bridge” setting that became popular in the bridal market.
CollectionsAug 04, 2026
Musician Carlos Santana Launches Jewelry BrandSantana Now's debut collection, “Unidad,” features symbolic motifs as well as pieces of wood from the Woodstock stage.
CrimeAug 03, 2026
Florida Man Gets 15 Years in Trio of Jewelry Store RobberiesThe 50-year-old man pleaded guilty earlier this year to robbing two jewelry stores and a pawn shop of more than $700,000 in merchandise.
WatchesAug 03, 2026
Citizen's New Spider-Man Watch Is a Collector’s DreamThe watch’s dial features an original design by Marvel comics illustrator Adam Kubert.
Lab-GrownAug 03, 2026
Chatham Releases First Men’s CollectionThe new collection of lab-grown diamond and colored gemstone jewelry provides a “fresh perspective” on the category, Chatham said.
