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.
EditorsJan 16, 2014
Love but not necessarily marriage
I don’t know why but I’ve always been fascinated with demographics and the differences among the generations: what were the cultural influences that shaped the ideals of those in their 60s versus those in their 20s and 30s.
As I learned in doing the story, researchers anticipate 2.2 million weddings this year, 2 percent more than there were in 2013.
The marriage rate, overall, declined immediately following the recession but now seems to be bouncing back to pre-recession levels, though it’s still not what it was in the late 1970s through the early aughts, when there were as many as 2.5 million marriages a year, U.S. Census Bureau data shows.
Certainly, many marriages during this time frame is attributable to the fact that this is when many of the baby boomers, the large post-World War II generation born between 1946 and 1964, would have been getting married.
But this begs the question, what happened to all of their kids, the generation known as the Millennials or the Echo Boomers? Following many of their parents’ marriages in the 1980s, many members of this generation are now their 20s and even early 30s. What’s keeping them from tying the knot?
Among the easy answers, as I am sure you have read before, are the recession, which caused people to delay marriage because of financial uncertainty, and the increase in co-habitation among young people, which has become more socially acceptable.
It’s almost interesting to note, however, that young people today--not just members of the Millennial Generation but of those above it, Generation X, of which I am a (very young) member--take marriage very seriously.
Last March, the National Marriage Project at the University of Virginia published a report called “Knot Yet” examining the benefits and the downsides to what they term “delayed” marriage in the United States. (In the interest of full disclosure, I will mention that this report was sponsored by The National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy and also explores the increasing number of children born out of wedlock.)
In the report, they got into the rising average marriage age in the United States, which now stands at about 28 for men and 25 for women, and the whys behind it, noting that, “Marriage has shifted from being the cornerstone to the capstone of adult life. No longer the foundation on which young adults build their prospects for future prosperity and happiness, marriage now comes only after they have
moved toward financial and psychological independence. It’s not hard to understand this mindset, especially given that many of today’s young adults are children of divorce and express worry about divorce themselves; they view marriage as something that should not be undertaken without a suitable exit strategy.”
They also view marriage as more than just: I’ve reached this age therefore I must now select a husband or wife and move on to the next phase of my life.
They want to get married--they don’t view the institution as outdated--but they are looking for that ideal person to marry, a soul mate if you will. If they haven’t found him or her yet, so be it.
As one 37-year-old male friend of mine, who falls squarely into Generation X, put it: “I want to make sure it’s right and not rush into anything and honestly don’t think I’ve even felt close (to finding the right person) ... Why rush into something [because] people think you should be married by a certain age ... And then get divorced or, like most of my friends, just [be unhappy].”
He said “no way” when I asked him if getting married is something he felt like he had to do. “Getting married to get married, that’s not fair to either person or the families.”
A woman 10 years his junior who lives in an entirely different part of the country expressed a similar sentiment. “I think a lot of my friends are making absolutely sure they are with the right person by spending more than a few years together before deciding to get married,” she said.
Retailers, I would be curious for some of your input on this, as I am wondering how much it varies by region.
Are the couples you are seeing today older in general? If so, how does that impact their ring choice? And, are they a different shopper with different expectations and attitudes about the entire ring buying/marriage process as a whole?
They also view marriage as more than just: I’ve reached this age therefore I must now select a husband or wife and move on to the next phase of my life.
They want to get married--they don’t view the institution as outdated--but they are looking for that ideal person to marry, a soul mate if you will. If they haven’t found him or her yet, so be it.
As one 37-year-old male friend of mine, who falls squarely into Generation X, put it: “I want to make sure it’s right and not rush into anything and honestly don’t think I’ve even felt close (to finding the right person) ... Why rush into something [because] people think you should be married by a certain age ... And then get divorced or, like most of my friends, just [be unhappy].”
He said “no way” when I asked him if getting married is something he felt like he had to do. “Getting married to get married, that’s not fair to either person or the families.”
A woman 10 years his junior who lives in an entirely different part of the country expressed a similar sentiment. “I think a lot of my friends are making absolutely sure they are with the right person by spending more than a few years together before deciding to get married,” she said.
Retailers, I would be curious for some of your input on this, as I am wondering how much it varies by region.
Are the couples you are seeing today older in general? If so, how does that impact their ring choice? And, are they a different shopper with different expectations and attitudes about the entire ring buying/marriage process as a whole?
More on Editors
The Latest
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.
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 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.
Weekly QuizDec 23, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
MajorsDec 30, 2025
Becka Johnson Kibby to Lead Edge Retail AcademyAs part of the leadership transition, Sherry Smith will take on the role of vice president of coaching strategy and development.
SourcingDec 30, 2025
India Chosen as KP Chair for 2026It marks the third time the country has headed the Kimberley Process. Ghana will serve as vice chair.
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.
WatchesDec 30, 2025
Bulova, Stetson Collab on Watches With Western FlairThe new Bulova x Stetson designs highlight two animals often associated with the American West—the bison and the Texas Longhorn.
CollectionsDec 30, 2025
Rahaminov Diamonds Pops Up in FloridaIts residency at Yamron Jewelers will run through May 2026.
IndependentsDec 29, 2025
In Memoriam: Industry Friends We Lost in 2025From influential executives to innovative designers, we pay tribute to the people we said goodbye to this year.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Tanishq Opens New Stores in Florida, VirginiaThe retailer is expanding into areas with large Indian and South Asian populations.
MajorsDec 29, 2025
Nanis Opens First Flagship Store The Italian brand has opened its first flagship amid the peaks of the Dolomites in Madonna di Campiglio, Italy.
SourcingDec 29, 2025
‘Unearthed: Raw Beauty’ Exhibition Opens at LA MuseumThe new curation at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County showcases rare gem and mineral specimens in their uncut, natural state.
CrimeDec 24, 2025
LA Jewelry District Couple Pleads Guilty to Hiding Millions from IRSThe couple pleaded guilty to concealing at least $127 million in cash transactions at its precious metals businesses.
SurveysDec 24, 2025
Consumer Confidence Falls Again in DecemberConsumers shared concerns about prices, inflation, tariffs, trade, and politics in the survey’s write-in response section.
AuctionsDec 24, 2025
Bonhams to Open New U.S. Flagship in NYCIn February 2026, the auction house will move its headquarters to the former Steinway Hall, a neoclassical landmark on Billionaires’ Row.
Events & AwardsDec 24, 2025
NYC Jewelry, Antique, & Object Show Announces Winter EventThe new show will take place Jan. 23-25, 2026.
SourcingDec 23, 2025
Mining Titan Brian Gilbertson Dies at 82The former BHP Billiton leader and Gemfields chairman is remembered for his influential leadership throughout his 50-year mining career.
Events & AwardsDec 23, 2025
Bulgari Reimagines Costume Designers Guild AwardThe LVMH-owned brand has partnered with the costume design union to revamp its award for 2026.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
Kering to Acquire Stake in Raselli Franco GroupThe luxury titan inked a deal to acquire an initial minority stake in the jewelry manufacturer with a pathway to full ownership by 2032.
MajorsDec 23, 2025
For Future Reference Vintage Enters Bloomingdale’sThe company’s curation of unsigned vintage and estate jewelry debuted at the Bloomingdale’s in Costa Mesa, California.
CrimeDec 22, 2025
Customs Seizes Hundreds of Fake Rolex, Cartier WatchesIn the recent multi-shipment seizure, CBP also found counterfeit Audemars Piguet, Moncler, and Chrome Hearts items.
Recorded WebinarsDec 22, 2025
2025 Jewelry Rewind: Looking Back on an Eventful Year Jewelers of America execs and National Jeweler editors discuss tariffs, the sky-high gold price, and the engagement that broke the internet.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
MadaLuxe Group Acquires Ippolita The luxury goods company said founder Ippolita Rostagno will remain at the brand’s helm.
MajorsDec 19, 2025
LVMH Names New Bulgari CEOLaura Burdese, who joined the Italian luxury brand in 2022, will take on the role in July.
EditorsDec 19, 2025
2025 Jewelry Superlatives: A Yearbook-Style Year in Review The National Jeweler editors revisit the most noteworthy industry happenings and design trends from 2025.
