MajorsJan 09, 2026
Kendra Scott Taps Activewear Exec as CEO Chris Blakeslee has experience at Athleta and Alo Yoga. Kendra Scott will remain on board as executive chair and chief visionary officer.
EditorsMay 08, 2015
Drilling down on data
It always stresses me out when we run a story about a survey or data and a few days later I see another article pop up with data that directly conflicts with what we just published.
You will understand why, then, my blood pressure rose last week when we printed this report on jewelry sales being “weak” based on the latest U.S. government data and then, a few days later, reports emerged from the Global Retailing Conference in Tucson citing MasterCard data that claimed 25 straight months of year-over-year growth for jewelry sales.
This contradicts with what the U.S. Commerce Department has been saying for the past five months: that jewelry sales are down compared with a year ago.
So, what’s the real story?
To begin with, I think we need to look at the well from which each source is drawing its data.
The government uses data derived from samples and it’s measuring sales of jewelry at tens of thousands stores nationwide, including specialty jewelry retailers (stores that sell jewelry and little or nothing else) as well as at multi-line retailers (places like Walmart, J.C. Penney, Kohl’s, etc.) and online-only retailers (Blue Nile, etc.).
Ken Gassman, a longtime source of mine who follows and tracks data on the jewelry industry more closely than anyone else I know of, said he considers this data from the government to be the most reliable, as it tracks very closely to proprietary numbers he sees from independents jewelers as well as the numbers from the big public companies.
MasterCard’s data, meanwhile, is a combination of MasterCard transactions and other payment forms that the company puts together and, like the government data, is intended to paint a picture of total retail spend in specific categories.
Or, as MasterCard explains it, “MasterCard SpendingPulse deploys a proprietary methodology that takes our aggregated and anonymous transaction data and uses additional data and algorithms to deliver total retail spend—across credit and debit cards, cash and check, both online and offline.”
Now, one of the reasons for the discrepancies in the data that Gassman suggested was that today’s jewelers, specifically independents, don’t offer store credit as widely as their predecessors did, so more consumers are financing their purchases using other means, including MasterCard.
In addition, there are also fewer independents out there today and the Commerce Department data shows us
that those that are in business are losing market share to other retailers. Perhaps shoppers today are just less loyal overall, and prefer just to use MasterCard or Visa to shop wherever they like. Maybe they buy their towels and sheets from Macy’s, but turn Anthropologie for their clothing, DSW for their shoes, and buy some jewelry online and some from their neighborhood retailer, all the while making their shopping a mix of online and in-store browsing and buying.
In an effort to test Gassman’s theory, I asked MasterCard if they could give me their data related to MasterCard spending alone, without the “additional data and algorithms” used to deliver total retail spend, so we could see just how much of the spending on jewelry relates to more use of MasterCards vs. more spending on jewelry as a whole. But a spokeswoman for the company—which, after having my request all week, got back to me at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, just under the buzzer!—said they don’t release that data.
So, in conclusion, I am not saying that there necessarily is anything wrong with the MasterCard data.
I am just pointing out that it is not necessarily painting an accurate picture of U.S. jewelry sales but could, in fact, be telling us something different: What we may well be seeing is not an increase in jewelry sales but a shift in how consumers are paying when they do buy jewelry.
In an effort to test Gassman’s theory, I asked MasterCard if they could give me their data related to MasterCard spending alone, without the “additional data and algorithms” used to deliver total retail spend, so we could see just how much of the spending on jewelry relates to more use of MasterCards vs. more spending on jewelry as a whole. But a spokeswoman for the company—which, after having my request all week, got back to me at 4:45 p.m. on Thursday, just under the buzzer!—said they don’t release that data.
So, in conclusion, I am not saying that there necessarily is anything wrong with the MasterCard data.
I am just pointing out that it is not necessarily painting an accurate picture of U.S. jewelry sales but could, in fact, be telling us something different: What we may well be seeing is not an increase in jewelry sales but a shift in how consumers are paying when they do buy jewelry.
More on Editors
The Latest
SurveysJan 09, 2026
U.S. Holiday Retail Sales Up 4%, Visa, Mastercard SayThe credit card companies’ surveys examined where consumers shopped, what they bought, and what they valued this holiday season.
AuctionsJan 09, 2026
Christie’s Names New Global Managing Director for LuxuryKimberly Miller has been promoted to the role.
Brought to you by
Impacting Tomorrow TodayHow Jewelers of America’s 20 Under 40 are leading to ensure a brighter future for the jewelry industry.
CollectionsJan 09, 2026
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s ‘Serenity’ Opal CharmThe “Serenity” charm set with 13 opals is a modern amulet offering protection, guidance, and intention, the brand said.
Weekly QuizJan 08, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Pandora’s New ‘Bridgerton’ Jewels Celebrate Bees, Bows, and Blooms“Bridgerton” actresses Hannah Dodd and Claudia Jessie star in the brand’s “Rules to Love By” campaign.
Events & AwardsJan 08, 2026
Ana Khouri To Receive 2026 Gem Award for High Jewelry ExcellenceFounded by jeweler and sculptor Ana Khouri, the brand is “expanding the boundaries of what high jewelry can be.”
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.
TrendsJan 08, 2026
Stuller’s Color of the Year Is a Stark Contrast to Pantone’s WhiteThe jewelry manufacturer and supplier is going with a fiery shade it says symbolizes power and transformation.
CollectionsJan 08, 2026
Gracie Abrams To Front New Chanel Jewelry CampaignThe singer-songwriter will make her debut as the French luxury brand’s new ambassador in a campaign for its “Coco Crush” jewelry line.
MajorsJan 08, 2026
Diamond Council of America Names New Board DirectorsThe nonprofit’s new president and CEO, Annie Doresca, also began her role this month.
ColumnistsJan 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Physical Retail—The Beginning or the End?As the shopping mall model evolves and online retail grows, Smith shares his predictions for the future of physical stores.
Events & AwardsJan 07, 2026
Melee Adds 13 New Designers to NYC ShowThe trade show is slated for Jan. 31-Feb. 2 at The Lighthouse in New York City's Chelsea neighborhood.
TrendsJan 07, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Go for GarnetJanuary’s birthstone comes in a rainbow of colors, from the traditional red to orange, purple, and green.
SourcingJan 07, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Releases 2025 Impact ReportThe annual report highlights how it supported communities in areas where natural diamonds are mined, crafted, and sold.
CrimeJan 06, 2026
2 Jewelers Arrested After TraxNYC Diamond District BrawlFootage of a fight breaking out in the NYC Diamond District was viewed millions of times on Instagram and Facebook.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Rio Grande Says These Are the Top Personalization Tools for 2026The supplier has a curated list of must-have tools for jewelers doing in-house custom work this year.
MajorsJan 06, 2026
Zales Tests Out A New LookThe Signet Jewelers-owned store, which turned 100 last year, calls its new concept stores “The Edit.”
MajorsJan 06, 2026
LeachGarner Appoints New Director of SalesLinda Coutu is rejoining the precious metals provider as its director of sales.
SourcingJan 06, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 BoardThe governing board welcomed two new members, Claire Scragg and Susan Eisen.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: New Year’s EditionSparkle with festive diamond jewelry as we celebrate the beginning of 2026.
IndependentsJan 05, 2026
Jeweler Ben Nighthorse Campbell Dies at 92The master jeweler, Olympian, former senator, and Korean War veteran founded the brand Nighthorse Jewelry.
TrendsJan 05, 2026
Pinterest 2026 Trend Report: Brooches, Bold Gold, Cool BlueIn its annual report, Pinterest noted an increase in searches for brooches, heirloom jewelry, and ‘80s luxury.
MajorsJan 02, 2026
Marc Metrick Out as CEO of Saks Global Executive Chairman Richard Baker will take over the role as rumors swirl that a bankruptcy filing is imminent for the troubled retailer.
Events & AwardsJan 02, 2026
Jan Mohr, Couture’s ‘North Star,’ Dies at 71Mohr had just retired in June after more than two decades as Couture’s retailer liaison.
SourcingJan 02, 2026
IDCA Elects New President, Board of DirectorsShekhar Shah of Real Gems Inc. will serve as president of the Indian Diamond & Colorstone Association in 2026.
CollectionsJan 02, 2026
Lalaounis’ 2026 Good Luck Charm Speaks to ResilienceThis year’s good luck charm features the mythical horse Pegasus, and is our first Piece of the Week of the new year.
