MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
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
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
AuctionsDec 19, 2025
Jean Schlumberger’s ‘African Cat’ Is Purr-Fection Need a gift for the cat lover who has everything? Look no further than our latest Piece of the Week.
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.
AuctionsDec 18, 2025
Audemars Piguet Reclaims Historic Pocket Watch at AuctionIt purchased the “Grosse Pièce,” an ultra-complicated Audemars Piguet pocket watch from the ‘20s, for a record-breaking price at Sotheby’s.
Weekly QuizDec 18, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownDec 18, 2025
Kira Jewels Debuts Custom Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry ServiceThe lab-grown diamond grower now offers custom engagement and fashion jewelry through its Kira Custom Lab Jewelry service.
WatchesDec 18, 2025
Bob’s Watches to Open Store in New York’s JFK AirportThe boutique is slated to open this week inside Terminal 8, offering pre-owned Rolex watches and more to international travelers.
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.
Supplier BulletinDec 18, 2025
Cell Jammers Are Targeting Your Business. Here's How to Beat ThemSponsored by Digital Monitoring Products
CrimeDec 17, 2025
Man Pleads Not Guilty to Swallowing Fabergé PendantThe special-edition egg pendant ingested in a New Zealand jewelry store was recovered after a six-day wait.
EditorsDec 17, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: The Best Piece of the Week PicksAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco plays favorites with Piece of the Week, selecting a standout piece of jewelry from each month of 2025.
CollectionsDec 17, 2025
Lucy Hale Stars in Jacquie Aiche’s Holiday CampaignThe “Love and Desire” campaign is inspired by the magic that follows when one’s heart leads the way, said the brand.
GradingDec 17, 2025
SSEF Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersTwo awardees will receive free tuition for an educational course at the Swiss lab, with flights and lodging included.
MajorsDec 16, 2025
Pandora’s New CEO Will Step Up EarlyBerta de Pablos-Barbier will replace Alexander Lacik at the start of January, two months earlier than expected.
AuctionsDec 16, 2025
Suzanne Belperron, JAR Shine in Sotheby’s First Auctions at New HQSotheby’s held its first two jewelry sales at the Breuer building last week, and they totaled nearly $44 million.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
TJS Now Accepting Scholarship Applications for 2026Winners will receive free registration and lodging for its fourth annual event in Detroit.
ColumnistsDec 16, 2025
Beyond Unboxing: Creative Reveals to Drive Reach and EngagementHere are six ideas for making more engaging content for Instagram Reels and TikTok, courtesy of Duvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams.
Events & AwardsDec 16, 2025
Diamonds Do Good Names 2026 Award RecipientsThe honorees include a notable jewelry brand, an industry veteran, and an independent retailer.
CrimeDec 15, 2025
Men Receive Life Sentences in Home Invasion Murder of Jeweler Carlos Jose Hernandez and Joshua Zuazo were sentenced to life without the possibility of parole in the 2024 murder of Hussein “Sam” Murray.
Policies & IssuesDec 15, 2025
Sara Yood Named Co-Chair of RJC Standards CommitteeYood will serve alongside Eduard Stefanescu, the sustainability manager for C.Hafner, a precious metals refiner in Germany.
IndependentsDec 15, 2025
M.S. Rau to Open Store in AspenThe New Orleans jeweler is also hosting pop-up jewelry boutiques in New York City and Dallas.
AuctionsDec 12, 2025
13.54-Carat Paraíba Tourmaline Sets Records at Christie’sSet in a Tiffany & Co. necklace, it sold for $4.2 million, the highest price and price per carat paid for a Paraíba tourmaline at auction.
MajorsDec 12, 2025
David Webb Reveals Ice-Cold Holiday Window DisplayThe jeweler’s “Deep Freeze” display showcases its iconic jewelry designs frozen in a vintage icebox.
CollectionsDec 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Oscar Heyman’s Sphene RingTake luxury gifting to new heights this holiday season with the jeweler’s showstopping 12-carat sphene ring.
Events & AwardsDec 12, 2025
IGI Jewelry Design Contest Now Accepting SubmissionsThis year's theme is “Unveiling the Depths of the Ocean.”
TrendsDec 11, 2025
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.
GradingDec 11, 2025
GIA to Offer Origin Determination for 3 More GemstonesStarting Jan. 1, customers can request the service for opal, peridot, and demantoid garnet.
