ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
OtherSep 25, 2014
More Americans than ever before have never married
According to a new study by the Pew Research Center, the number of American adults who have never been married currently is at a record high, a fact that is both good and bad news for jewelers.
New York--According to a new study by the Pew Research Center, the number of American adults who have never been married currently is at a record high, a fact that is both good and bad news for jewelers.
In 2012, one in five adults, or 20 percent, ages 25 and older had never been married, compared with only about one in 10 adults, or 10 percent, in that age range who had never been married in 1960. That is the negative news for jewelers, who depend on soon-to-be-wed couples buying engagement rings and wedding bands for a large percentage of their sales.
According to Pew, the dramatic rise in the share of never-married adults and the growing gap between the percentages of never-married men versus never-married women can be attributed to a number of factors.
For one, adults are marrying later in life--a factor that could benefit the jewelry industry given that an older marrying age likely means the ability to spend more on bridal jewelry. The median age at first marriage is now 27 for women and 29 for men, a dramatic climb from the 1960 averages of 20 and 23, respectively.
The second reason for more singles in America is that the number of adults who are cohabitating and raising children outside of marriage has increased significantly. About one-fourth of never-married young adults between the ages of 25 and 34 are living with a partner, according to the study.
Pew also said that shifting public attitudes about marriage in general, hard economic times and changing demographic patterns also might be contributing to the rising amount of never-married adults.
The study found that about half of all never-married adults (53 percent) said that they would like to marry eventually; this is down somewhat from 2010, when the share was at 61 percent. Meanwhile, 45 percent of today’s never-married adults say they aren’t sure if they’d like to get married (32 percent) or and flat-out do not want to get married (13 percent.)
Pew’s numbers also find that a rising share of today’s young adults might end up not getting married at all.
According to the data, when that generation reaches their mid-40s to mid-50s, a record amount (25 percent) is likely to have never been married. Pew said that since 1970, there has been a steady increase in the share of 25- to-34-year-olds that remain
never married when they reach ages 45 to 54.
Other notable findings from the study include the following.
--The American public is divided about the role that marriage plays in society. Forty-six percent of adults surveyed said that society is better off if people make marriage and having kids a priority while 50 percent said society is just as well off if people have priorities other than marriage and children.
--Despite these views, nearly 68 percent of Americans still believe that it’s important for couples to marry if they plan on spending the rest of their lives together.
--Among those that haven’t yet gotten married but say that they would like to, three in 10 say they haven’t gotten married because they haven’t found anyone who has what they’re looking for in a spouse, 27 percent said they aren’t financially prepared for marriage, and 22 percent said they’re too young or not ready to settle down.
More on Other
The Latest
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
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.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
Weekly QuizJul 23, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
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.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
IndependentsJul 23, 2026
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens Casino StoreThe jeweler’s newest store is inside Arkansas’ Saracen Casino Resort.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
Policies & IssuesJul 22, 2026
Trump to Put 50% Tariff on Canadian Goods The higher tax is set to go into effect in August and will apply to loose polished diamonds as well as precious and base metals jewelry.
CollectionsJul 22, 2026
Monica Rich Kosann’s High Jewelry Is FruitfulThe “Enchanted Garden” series features a cherry, lemon, and pear that each hold a little secret inside.
IndependentsJul 22, 2026
Liljenquist Beckstead Opens Rolex New BoutiqueIt’s located in Tysons Galleria, an upscale shopping center in the Washington, D.C., metro area.
Events & AwardsJul 22, 2026
NY Now Returns in August Under New OwnershipThe show, recently acquired by Rockview Management Group, will be held at New York City’s Javits Center from Aug. 2-4.
ColumnistsJul 21, 2026
Sherry Smith: Shattering the Illusion of the ‘Either/Or’ Diamond MarketSmith offers retailers guidance on creating an environment where natural and lab-grown diamonds can both thrive.
Events & AwardsJul 21, 2026
Apollo Funds Completes Emerald AcquisitionFormer Emerald President and CEO Hervé Sedky has transitioned to the role of senior advisor.
CollectionsJul 21, 2026
Graff’s New Butterfly High Jewelry Brooches MetamorphosizeThe 12-piece capsule collection transforms from brooches to pendants.
SourcingJul 21, 2026
Anglo Reportedly Selects Gareth Penny’s Consortium as Top Bidder for De BeersA Botswana government official told lawmakers Anglo has selected The Global Diamond Consortium, an entity chaired by Penny, to buy De Beers.
Policies & IssuesJul 20, 2026
Tariffs on Brazil to Increase But Rough Gemstones ExemptThe new tariff, imposed after a Trump administration study, is 25 percent and will stack on top of existing tariffs.
CollectionsJul 20, 2026
Vhernier Transforms ‘Freccia’ Collection Into High JewelryThe collection from 2014 has been reinterpreted into high jewelry with its signature triangular-shaped elements.
MajorsJul 20, 2026
Krista Collins Walters Promoted to Publisher of InstoreShe will also take on the role of vice president of jewelry for SmartWork Media, a newly created position.
