CollectionsApr 30, 2024
12 Otherworldly Pieces From Tiffany & Co.’s 2024 Blue BookThe “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
SurveysDec 09, 2016
Estate Jewelry Sales are Climbing, Survey Finds
It’s not shocking, given the resurgence in appreciation for the past as well as millennials’ penchant for unique pieces.
This black enamel and platinum bangle by Fred Leighton is outfitted with a pair of Art Deco-era ruby and onyx dress clips. Multiple jewelers named Art Deco, along with Victorian, as the eras that are most popular among customers buying estate jewelry.
New York--Estate jewelry sales are climbing, National Jeweler/Jewelers of America’s latest Product Pulse poll found.
The survey was fielded between Nov. 16 and Dec. 2. A total of 244 people responded.
Among respondents, 193 identified themselves as retailers and, of those, 110, or 58 percent, said they sold estate jewelry in their stores. (Estate jewelry encompasses all previously owned jewelry, whether it is antique--meaning 100 years old or older--or vintage, meaning less than 100 years old.)
The 110 jewelers who said they sell estate jewelry were then asked a series of questions regarding sales trends, margin, sourcing and customer preferences regarding time periods.
What the survey found is that in addition to being an area of sales growth, estate jewelry brings strong margins for jewelers.
A total of 89 percent of respondents said that estate jewelry sales have increased as a percentage of overall sales (47 percent) or at least stayed the same (42 percent) in recent years.
And, overall gross margin on estate jewelry sales is 41 percent or higher for nearly 60 percent of jewelers surveyed.
RELATED CONTENT: The History Behind … Art Deco
When asked where they get their estate jewelry, the majority of survey-takers wrote in some variation of “over the counter,” either from existing customers or members of the public who walk into their stores. The buying was a mix of consignment and outright purchasing.
“People just walk in our store to sell their items,” one jeweler wrote. “Our website lets people know that we buy their jewelry, but we have been doing this for over 100 years so the public already knows and refers friends to our store.”
Very few reported that they get estate jewelry via auction.
When asked what particular era their customers favored most, a number of respondents said there is not one time period that outsells the others in their stores.
For those who did cite a specific era, Art Deco, which one respondent described as being “so wearable,” and Victorian, which the same jeweler described as “romantic and plentiful,” were the two of the most popular responses.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Surveys
The Latest
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Zales Celebrates 100 Years With New CampaignThe brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
MajorsApr 30, 2024
Platinum Guild International Appoints New CEOTim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
Brought to you by
Rio’s Reimagined Podcast: For the Love of JewelersMeet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Events & AwardsApr 30, 2024
Canadian Jewellers Association Brings Back the Summit It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Weekly QuizApr 26, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
Recorded WebinarsApr 29, 2024
Watch: Diamond Identification and Evaluation - How to Protect your BusinessSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
SourcingApr 29, 2024
De Beers to Move Auction HQ from Singapore to BotswanaSales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
CollectionsApr 29, 2024
Simone I. Smith Mixes Denim and Diamonds in New Collection“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
IndependentsApr 29, 2024
Venus Jewelers Relocating After 45 YearsThe retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
CollectionsApr 26, 2024
Piece of the Week: Jacquie Aiche’s Starry Galaxy NecklaceThe necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
Events & AwardsApr 26, 2024
AGS Conclave and GIA Symposium Are ConvergingThe two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
SourcingApr 26, 2024
Anglo American Reportedly Shopping De Beers as BHP Eyes Anglo Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Events & AwardsApr 25, 2024
Alexis Padis Takes Over as AGS Board President Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
EditorsApr 25, 2024
5 Tips for Creating Fans from the Top (Savannah) Banana Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
WatchesApr 25, 2024
Audemars Piguet and John Mayer Partner on Limited Edition WatchThe Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
SourcingApr 25, 2024
De Beers Lowers Production Guidance for 2024The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
MajorsApr 25, 2024
Detroit Lions’ QB Jared Goff Keeps Going to JaredThe three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
CrimeApr 24, 2024
Jewelry Crime Declines Significantly, But Dollar Losses Remain High A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
CollectionsApr 24, 2024
Pippa Small Announces ‘Venus’ CollectionInspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
FinancialsApr 24, 2024
Kering’s Jewelry Brands a Bright Spot in Tough Q1The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.
Events & AwardsApr 24, 2024
JCK Industry Fund Announces 2024 Grant RecipientsThe selected nine organizations have outlined their plans for the funds.
SourcingApr 24, 2024
Rio Tinto’s Q1 Production Drops Amid Pause to Honor Lost Colleagues The mining company’s Diavik Diamond Mine lost four employees in a plane crash in January.
WatchesApr 24, 2024
These Are Rolex’s New Watches for 2024 The crown introduced a dozen timepieces in Geneva, including a heavy metal version of its deep-sea divers’ watch.
ColumnistsApr 23, 2024
The Smart Lab: Advanced Email Marketing Strategies for Mother’s DayEmmanuel Raheb recommends digging into demographic data, customizing your store’s communications, and retargeting ahead of May 12.
IndependentsApr 23, 2024
Hannoush Jewelers Opens New Store in New York Located in the town of Queensbury, it features a dedicated bridal section and a Gabriel & Co. store-in-store.
SourcingApr 23, 2024
Lucapa Sells 3 Diamonds for $10.5M in First Lulo Tender of 2024A 203-carat diamond from the alluvial mine in Angola achieved the highest price.
