Supplier BulletinAug 13, 2026
Your Piece Could Be the One Editors Talk AboutSponsored by American Gem Trade Association
SurveysApr 11, 2016
Platinum, Silver Both See Strong Growth in 2015
According to two recent surveys, platinum jewelry sales rose 10 percent and silver sales were up 15 percent last year, with both expected to continue their climb in 2016.
Both platinum and silver sales were up last year, with analysts and retailers predicting their strong performances would continue in 2016. Pictured here is a floral sterling silver bracelet with diamond accents from Ariva ($800).
New York--Last year proved to be a positive one for platinum and silver jewelry, with surveys on both reporting strong retail sales growth and increased demand.
According to the Platinum Guild International’s annual Retail Barometer study, which is conducted by independent platinum market experts and industry analysts, platinum jewelry sales rose 10 percent (in ounces) in the United States when compared with 2014.
It marked the third consecutive year platinum sales have increased in the U.S., following an 8 percent increase in 2014 and an 11 percent increase in 2013, PGI said.
There were a number of factors contributing to the growth of platinum last year.
The lower price of platinum and its relationship to the price of gold stimulated growth. The average price of platinum, at $1,053 per ounce, was 10 percent lower than the average price of gold, which was $1,160, closing the gap between gold and platinum finished jewelry pieces at retail.
The metal prices situation also encouraged both manufacturers and retailers to increase their platinum offerings both online and in store, including an increased visibility of platinum pieces at major chains, where just a few years ago platinum was “practically non-existent,” PGI said. Now, there are more than 300 major jewelry chain stores that offer platinum in their bridal jewelry selection.
Finished platinum jewelry imports also were up by approximately 50 percent in 2015, indicating a consistent increase in demand for platinum at retail across multiple distribution channels.
PGI said that sales of platinum jewelry in the U.S. market are expected to grow between 5 and 7 percent in unit/volume terms in 2016. Demand for platinum jewelry is expected to remain “robust,” growing more than projected growth rate of overall jewelry demand.
RELATED CONTENT: Gold, Platinum and Silver Price Predictions for 2016
Meanwhile, silver sales in the United States also were strong in 2015, with average silver jewelry sales growth of 15 percent, according to a survey conducted by Jewelers of America and National Jeweler on behalf of the Silver Institute’s Silver Promotion Service.
The survey also showed that 60 percent of jewelry retailers reported increased silver sales last year. As a percentage of their overall jewelry sales, silver pieces made up, on average, 35 percent of their unit volume and 27 percent of their dollar volume.
Forty-five percent of retailers surveyed also said that silver saw the best turnover rate in 2015,
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
with another 22 percent saying diamond jewelry had the best turnover, 17 percent said bridal and 4 percent said gold and platinum.
Silver’s strong performance last year can be attributed to a number of factors, including the fact that more than half of retailers said they had increased their silver inventory an average of 21 percent.
Most retailers surveyed, 87 percent, indicated that they feel the silver surge will continue.
Silver’s strong performance last year can be attributed to a number of factors, including the fact that more than half of retailers said they had increased their silver inventory an average of 21 percent.
Most retailers surveyed, 87 percent, indicated that they feel the silver surge will continue.
More on Surveys
The Latest
FinancialsAug 13, 2026
Pandora’s ‘Talisman’ Collection Shines, Lab-Grown Diamond Sales FallIn the United States, second-quarter sales were flat amid soft consumer sentiment and lower in-store traffic.
AuctionsAug 13, 2026
This Gold Cadbury ‘Conundrum’ Egg Set a World Auction RecordThe 22-karat gold egg, sold at Batemans Auctioneers in the U.K., was part of a 1980s treasure hunt ad campaign for Cadbury Creme Eggs.
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.
SourcingAug 13, 2026
2,488-Carat Diamond, Largest Found in Botswana, Has a New Owner Lucara Diamond Corp., which recovered the “Motswedi” diamond from the Karowe mine, sold the stone for an undisclosed amount.
Weekly QuizAug 07, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsAug 13, 2026
John Hardy Infuses ‘Icon,’ ‘Heishi’ Collections with ColorThe expanded collections now feature hand-cut gemstones like topaz, tanzanite, chrysoprase, chalcedony, smoky quartz, and fire opal.
Lab-GrownAug 13, 2026
Jean Dousset Opens Third StoreThe lab-grown diamond jewelry brand’s newest boutique is in Westfield Valley Fair in Santa Clara, California.
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.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Eshed-Gemstar on the Painstaking Process of Cutting ‘The Legacy Emerald’The gemstone supplier and manufacturer acquired the remarkable 104-gram Zambian emerald at Gemfields’ auction in May.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Elderly NYC Woman Targeted in Jewelry Swap SchemeTwo suspects offered to trade the woman a “winning” lottery ticket for her jewelry.
SourcingAug 12, 2026
Another Diamond Mine Poised to CloseFinsch has been in business rescue since May, and owner Petra Diamonds said it sees no viable path forward for the mine.
CrimeAug 12, 2026
Jewelry Store Employee Gets 20 Years to Life in Choking Death of BossMichel Patrick DeSalles was sentenced after pleading guilty to the 2017 murder of Omid Gholian, who owned a jewelry store in Manhattan.
MajorsAug 12, 2026
Frederick Goldman Names New SVP of SalesLongtime industry executive Beth Miller has taken on the role.
AuctionsAug 11, 2026
Verdura Unicorn Brooch With Royal Connection Up for Auction The brooch was owned by Virginia Fortune Ryan Ogilvy, who served as a lady of the bedchamber to Queen Elizabeth II for nearly 50 years.
MajorsAug 11, 2026
Signet Jewelers Selects Mattel Exec to Lead Zales, BanterJamie Cygielman will take on the role on Aug. 24.
IndependentsAug 11, 2026
Polly’s Fine Jewelry Co-Owner Richard Moore Dies at 69Moore, Polly’s husband, is remembered as a family man with an easygoing spirit and a love for sports and the outdoors.
ColumnistsAug 11, 2026
Creative Connecting: How to Sell Colored Gemstones to Gen ZDuvall O’Steen and Jen Cullen Williams share the best ways to display, present, and explain colored gemstones to younger customers.
Events & AwardsAug 11, 2026
NAJA Announces Lineup For 2026 Fall Virtual ConferenceThe mid-year conference for jewelry and watch appraisers will take place Sept. 5-6 on Zoom.
TechnologyAug 10, 2026
Colorado Jeweler Launches Customization Tool He Built HimselfHonest Hands Ring Co. Founder Benjamin Bosworth shared his thoughts on jewelry technology and why AI can never replace the human element.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
QVC Exits Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, Names New Interim CEOQVC Group President and CEO David Rawlinson is temporarily being replaced by a familiar face, former QVC CEO Mike George.
CollectionsAug 10, 2026
State Property Puts a Ripple in the ‘The Voyager’ CollectionThe brand also added two one-of-a-kind brown diamond pieces to the “Sanssouci” series of its “Gardens” collection.
MajorsAug 10, 2026
And IJO’s 2026 Vendor of the Year Is … Ostbye took home top vendor honors at the Independent Jewelers Organization’s show, held last month in Kentucky.
Supplier BulletinAug 07, 2026
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsSponsored by Stratus Estate Buyers
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Retail Veteran Pam Cloud Appointed President of Blue NileCloud, who will officially join Blue Nile on Monday, spent 26 years at Tiffany & Co. and founded jewelry brand Roseate.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Pandora Appoints Paulo Garcia as New CFO Garcia will take over from the company’s current CFO, Anders Boyer, who is retiring at the end of November.
MajorsAug 07, 2026
Etsy to Lay Off 12% of WorkforceEtsy CEO Kruti Patel Goyal explained why the company is letting go more than 200 employees as its performance improves.
TrendsAug 07, 2026
Look Ahead with Syna’s Binoculars PendantThe “Star Gazer” pendant, our Piece of the Week, is Syna’s tribute to curiosity and the discovery of something new.
