IndependentsSep 04, 2026
Orloff Jewelers Will Soon Unveil a Bigger, Better LocationThe California jeweler is renovating its store in Fresno, with plans to show off the new space in December.
TechnologyJul 12, 2017
Amazon’s 2017 Prime Day Was Its Biggest Sales Day Yet
The 30-hour-long event broke records again, surpassing both Black Friday and Cyber Monday for the e-tailer.
Seattle--Sales on Amazon Prime Day 2017, which officially kicked off Monday evening, surpassed Black Friday and Cyber Monday to make it the biggest sales day in company history, the e-tailer said Wednesday morning.
This year, Amazon made Prime Day bigger and broader in an effort to pull more consumers into its Prime membership.
It was 30 hours long, versus 24 last year, and offered in three additional countries--China, India and Mexico--bringing the total reach of the sales event to 13 nations worldwide.
It seems like the move was the right one, as sales this year were up by more than 60 percent when compared with the same 30-hour period last year, Amazon reported.
The company said year-over-year sales growth for small businesses and entrepreneurs who sell on the e-commerce site was even more than that.
While Amazon hasn’t provided specific sales figures for the day, Business Insider reported last week that JP Morgan analysts were estimating Amazon could rake in $1 billion on Prime Day, representing a 55 percent increase over last year.
What Amazon did report is that “tens of millions of Prime members made a purchase on Prime Day 2017,” representing more than a 50 percent increase on the prior year. Additionally, more new members joined Prime than on any other single day in the e-tailer’s history (again, exact numbers weren’t revealed.)
Overall, the most popular purchase was the Echo Dot, Amazon’s audio-enabled speaker that can act as a personal home assistant (its price dropped $15 on Prime Day to $34.99.) In fact, Prime members purchased seven times more Amazon Echo devices globally than on Prime Day 2016.
Excluding Amazon devices, the top sellers in the U.S. were a multi-use programmable pressure cooker and a DNA test.
Interestingly, the pressure cooker also was a top seller in Canada, along with an eight-pack of rechargeable AA batteries.
Meanwhile, in the U.K. the best-selling products were a smart plug that works with Alexa and the Sony Playstation 4, and in France and Belgium they bought up PlayStation Plus memberships and the complete set of “Game of Thrones,” seasons 1 through 6, on Blu-Ray.
In the U.S., the most popular themes to shop by were Home Chefs, Techies and For the Home.
Amazon started Prime Day, a day of deep website-wide discounts open only to those who sign for the e-tailer’s Prime membership, in 2015.
The day has grown in sales every year
but also has evolved in terms of quality of experience for shoppers.
The first year brought so many complaints from consumers that the hashtag #PrimeDayFail was popping up everywhere. Last year, there were some complaints about issues with adding items to carts.
This year, though, things appeared to go more smoothly, with fewer complaints circulating the Twittersphere.
The first year brought so many complaints from consumers that the hashtag #PrimeDayFail was popping up everywhere. Last year, there were some complaints about issues with adding items to carts.
This year, though, things appeared to go more smoothly, with fewer complaints circulating the Twittersphere.
More on Technology
The Latest
CollectionsSep 04, 2026
Chelsea Gabrielle Transforms Pilates Reformer Springs Into Ring A lifelong practitioner of Pilates, Gabrielle looked to the springs’ tension and suspension when creating this ring, our Piece of the Week.
Events & AwardsSep 04, 2026
JCK Industry Fund Accepting 2027 ApplicationsThe deadline to apply is Nov. 13.
Brought to you by
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSubmit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.
AuctionsSep 04, 2026
Christie's Names New Global Head of WatchesThe auction house has promoted Remi Guillemin, formerly its head of watches for the Americas and EMEA, to the role.
Weekly QuizSep 03, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 03, 2026
Q&A: Simon G.’s CEO on Why He Won’t Use AI for Jewelry DesignZaven Ghanimian discussed the value of human craftsmanship and where the implementation of artificial intelligence does work.
Events & AwardsSep 03, 2026
Here Are the First Recipients of Nina Pugliese Memorial Scholarship Jewelers of America also revealed the recipients of the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship and its own scholarship programs.
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.
WatchesSep 03, 2026
Robert Pattinson Joins Jaeger-LeCoultre as Brand AmbassadorThe British actor, known for his roles in “Twilight” and “The Odyssey,” will star in a campaign for the Master Control Chronometre.
CollectionsSep 03, 2026
Sydney Evan Celebrates 25 Years With 4 New CollectionsThe “Confetti Disco,” “Champagne Cheers,” “Tuxedo,” and “Classic Punk” jewelry collections each capture a distinct spirit of celebration.
CrimeSep 02, 2026
CA Jeweler Gets 5 Years in ‘Phantom Rolex’ Ponzi SchemeNelson Holdo of Newport Beach pleaded guilty to multiple counts of felony grand theft and writing bad checks and was sentenced Monday.
AuctionsSep 02, 2026
If You Love Cats, This Jewelry Auction Is for YouCat ladies of the jewelry world, unite. Sandy Lerner’s “significant” collection of cat jewelry and other objects is going up for auction.
MajorsSep 02, 2026
Messika Names Former Omega Exec as New President, CEO of AmericasArnaud Michon, the former Omega USA President, will now lead Messika’s Americas region during its international development.
Events & AwardsSep 02, 2026
Emerald’s New Owner Introduces ‘Glitter in the Grove’The branding references the back-to-back jewelry shows that new parent company Forge will host in Miami's Coconut Grove this November.
AuctionsSep 01, 2026
UK Woman Uncovers Rare Patek Philippe Watch in Mom’s Jewelry BoxThe stainless steel Patek Philippe “Calatrava” watch from the 1930s sold for nearly $80,000 at a recent Hansons Cornwall auction.
ColumnistsSep 01, 2026
Your Jewelry Marketing Has a Bridal ProblemEngagement rings are important but don’t ignore the customers who are buying jewelry “just because,” Emmanuel Raheb writes.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Kering Names New Pomellato, DoDo CEOsFormer Pomellato CEO Sabina Belli has been named president of Kering Italia amid a shakeup of Kering's new Jewelry division.
MajorsSep 01, 2026
Anne Marie Shulman Joins GPA GlobalThe veteran luxury packaging executive was appointed to help the company grow its North American business.
CrimeAug 31, 2026
$4M Van Cleef & Arpels Diamond Necklace Snatched From Vienna Museum Once the property of an Egyptian queen, the necklace was part of a larger exhibition of VCA jewelry at the Museum of Applied Arts (MAK).
GradingAug 31, 2026
GIA, Gübelin Gem Lab Confirm New Paraíba Tourmaline Deposit in EthiopiaThe labs’ separate investigations each determined that the East African country is producing copper-bearing tourmaline.
Events & AwardsAug 31, 2026
Wisconsin Museum to Host Jewelry Exhibition“Chicago Collects: Jewelry in Perspective” at the Oshkosh Public Museum will feature works by Fabergé, Lalique, and Louis Comfort Tiffany.
CollectionsAug 31, 2026
Catbird Launches First Men’s Jewelry CollectionThe “Worn Well” collection is Catbird's take on classic men's jewelry.
CollectionsAug 28, 2026
Dolly Parton Would Have Loved This Butterfly Necklace This Buddha Mama butterfly is our Piece of the Week honoring the legend, who embraced the beautiful insect as her symbol.
SourcingAug 28, 2026
Gareth Penny to Give Opening Speech at CIBJO Centenary CongressThe former De Beers CEO, and perhaps its next owner, will be a featured speaker at the event, slated for Sept. 4-7 in Italy.
IndependentsAug 28, 2026
Day’s Jewelers Honored With 3 Workplace AwardsThe employee-owned jeweler was named a “Best Place to Work” in Maine, New Hampshire, and for women.
CollectionsAug 27, 2026
Pandora Expands ‘Talisman’ Collection as Lawsuit Continues The second iteration of the jewelry collection was inspired by the zodiac and the four elements: earth, water, air and fire.
SourcingAug 27, 2026
OFAC Renews License Allowing Import of ‘Grandfathered’ Russian Diamonds General License 104B supersedes General License 104A, which was set to expire on Sept. 1.
