IndependentsApr 01, 2025
Bergman Jewelers in Omaha Closing After 137 YearsThe independent jeweler first opened its doors in 1888.
SurveysApr 20, 2016
Product Pulse: The Bridal Business
In this month’s survey, we asked jewelers about their bridal business. How do your store’s sales of engagement rings and wedding bands compare?
New York--Nearly half of jewelers polled recently by National Jeweler and Jewelers of America said their engagement ring and wedding band sales are on the rise, with custom pieces performing particularly well.
When asked about the trend of their engagement ring sales over the past 10 years, 46 percent of poll-takers said they have increased in that timeframe, while 31 percent said they’ve stayed the same.
Overall gross margin on engagement rings ranges from 31 to 50 percent for more than half (56 percent) of those surveyed, which could be attributed to the current volume of jewelers leaning more heavily on their custom business.
“For us, our custom-designed engagement rings can incorporate a customer’s loose stone diamonds or be built from scratch,” one jeweler wrote when asked an open-ended question about their store’s top sellers. “We are our best brand by a long shot!”
Another survey-taker noted: “Overall our custom work is always our bestseller, repurposing grandma’s or mom’s old stones or providing new stones, making something custom and not charging prices as high as large chains. The personal attention paid to our customers has been a benefit to us.”
When it comes to specific brands, many jewelers listed Gabriel & Co., Simon G and Tacori as among their best-sellers. The dominant style for engagement rings, meanwhile, appears still to be the halo. 
Wedding band sales have trended in a similar direction: increasing or staying the same over the past 10 years for 79 percent of retailers while decreasing for 22 percent.
Alternative metals such as tungsten, titanium and stainless steel remain popular, particularly for men’s bands, while Stuller and Lashbrook were among the brands listed as bestsellers.
One respondent noted that, “In men’s bands, alternative metals are always the bestsellers. That leaves more money to spend on the lady and, as we all know, that’s who the men have to keep happy.”
And even more margin is made on wedding bands than on engagement rings.
Seventy-four percent of respondents said that their overall gross margin on wedding bands is 41 to 50 percent (38 percent) or more than 50 percent (36 percent).
“In men’s bands, alternative metals are always the bestsellers. That leaves more money to spend on the lady and, as we all know, that’s who the men have to keep happy.”Bands, however, comprise a decidedly smaller percentage of a jeweler’s sales than
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
engagement rings, indicating that perhaps many retailers are missing an opportunity to make another sale.
Nearly 60 percent of survey-takers said engagement ring sales make up 21 percent or more of their overall sales while only 31 percent reported the same for bands.
National Jeweler and Jewelers of America conducted the Product Pulse survey between March 28 and April 13. Approximately 200 jewelers responded.
Nearly 60 percent of survey-takers said engagement ring sales make up 21 percent or more of their overall sales while only 31 percent reported the same for bands.
National Jeweler and Jewelers of America conducted the Product Pulse survey between March 28 and April 13. Approximately 200 jewelers responded.
More on Surveys
The Latest
MajorsApr 01, 2025
QVC Group to Cut 900 Jobs in the U.S.The layoffs come amid the TV shopping channel’s efforts to restructure and focus on live shopping through social media.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
U.S. Antique Shows Adds Fall Show in FloridaThe debut event will take place in Miami’s Coconut Grove neighborhood this fall.
Brought to you by
The Heart of the Industry: Giving Bench Jewelers the Recognition They DeserveBench jewelers spend years honing their skills, Jewelers of America’s Certification validates their talents.
Events & AwardsApr 01, 2025
TJS to Host Discussion on Jewelry Industry’s Labor ShortageThe roundtable will take place May 17 ahead of the trade show’s welcome dinner.
Weekly QuizMar 27, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsApr 01, 2025
Monica Rich Kosann Says ‘Good Grief’ in Peanuts Jewelry CollectionThe “Peanuts x Monica Rich Kosann” collection features the comic strip’s classic vocabulary across 10 bracelet designs.
Recorded WebinarsMar 31, 2025
Watch: What Do We Mean When We Say ‘Recycled’ Gold?Three industry experts dive into the complexities of the material often marketed as an “ethical” alternative for metal in jewelry.
Brought to you by
Natural Diamonds Should Mean MoreNatural diamonds mean more than lab-grown, but when every cut is ideal, they all look the same. Customers want more—Facets of Fire delivers.
TrendsMar 31, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Dripping in DiamondsDiamonds are not only one of the most prominent gemstones, but the birthstone for those born in April.
MajorsMar 31, 2025
Lashbrook Expands Into Luxury Golf Gifts With AcquisitionThe Utah-based company known for making wedding bands has acquired Doubloon Golf.
WatchesMar 31, 2025
Bulgari CEO Jean-Christophe Babin Will Also Head LVMH WatchesThe longtime luxury executive led one of LVMH’s watch brands, TAG Heuer, for 12 years before taking over Bulgari in 2013.
CrimeMar 28, 2025
2 Suspects Arrested in $1.7M Smash-and-Grab Robbery of NY Jewelry StoreAuthorities said the robbers fled with jewelry and 70 Rolex watches, later taking pictures of themselves posing with big stacks of cash.
SourcingMar 28, 2025
19th-Century Jade Book Now Available in EnglishLotus Gemology founder Richard W. Hughes has translated Heinrich Fischer’s 1880 book “Nephrit und Jadeit” from its original German.
CollectionsMar 28, 2025
Piece of the Week: Löf’s ‘The Valentine’ RingThe ring's design features contrasting lines influenced by work from architecture-inspired photographer Nikola Olic.
AuctionsMar 27, 2025
300-Year-Old Ring Linked to Witch Trial Judge Goes Unsold at Auction However, two medieval jewels surpassed estimates at Noonans Mayfair’s recent jewelry auction in London.
WatchesMar 27, 2025
Austin Butler Joins Breitling as Brand AmbassadorThe Oscar-nominated actor debuted in the campaign for the new “Top Time B31” collection, which introduced Breitling’s Caliber B31.
SourcingMar 27, 2025
Susan Jacques, Gaetano Cavalieri to Headline 2025 ICA Congress The Congress is scheduled to take place May 19-22 in Brasilia, Brazil.
IndependentsMar 26, 2025
Bailey’s Fine Jewelry Acquires Fellow NC Independent JewelerThe family-owned retailer is the new owner of Morrison Smith Jewelers in Charlotte, North Carolina.
WatchesMar 26, 2025
Bulova Celebrates 150th Anniversary With Art Deco WatchesThe “150 Art Deco” collection features a Miss America timepiece and a pocket watch from the brand’s Archive Series.
MajorsMar 26, 2025
QVC Group Appoints New PresidentAlex Wellen, formerly CEO and president of MotorTrend Group, has taken on the role.
Events & AwardsMar 26, 2025
Jewelers of America Announces New Funding Initiative The Impact Initiative is part of the nonprofit association’s new three-year strategic plan.
AuctionsMar 25, 2025
Christie’s To Auction 35-Carat Sapphire, 13-Carat RubyThe ruby and the sapphire, which Christie’s calls a “once-in-a-generation masterpiece,” are part of the upcoming Hong Kong jewelry auction.
CrimeMar 25, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Earrings Swallowed Following Grab-and-Run Theft RecoveredThe two pairs of earrings, snatched from a Tiffany & Co. store in Orlando, Florida, are valued at a combined $769,500.
ColumnistsMar 25, 2025
The Smart Lab: Using Short-Form Videos to Sell More JewelryThe time to start experimenting with video content is now, writes columnist Emmanuel Raheb.
CollectionsMar 24, 2025
Pomellato’s Latest ‘Nudo’ Collections Revamp its Classic DesignFrom striking high jewelry to miniature fine jewelry, the new chapter continues to highlight gemstones featuring its signature 57-facet cut.
MajorsMar 24, 2025
4 Top Executives to Depart Signet Jewelers Amid TurnaroundThe jewelry giant is reducing its senior leadership by 30 percent as part of its new turnaround strategy.
WatchesMar 24, 2025
Sotheby's Now Offers Watch Repair ServicesThe auction house's partnership with online watch servicing platform WatchCheck makes repairs convenient and accessible, it said.
