SurveysJun 22, 2021
Diamond Jewelry Sales Strong, Says NDCMajorsAug 16, 2021
After a Turbulent Year, Here’s Where the Gold Price Is Now
National Jeweler examines the average price of the metal in H1 and the U.S. market’s “considerable growth” in gold jewelry demand.
Hi June Parker’s engravable ID bracelet with diamonds in 14-karat yellow gold ($750 for a 6-inch or 6.5-inch bracelet)
London—The past year-and-a-half has been, unsurprisingly, something of a roller-coaster ride for the price of gold.
The precious metal started 2020 averaging $1,560.67 an ounce, according to Kitco, then rose until mid-March, when it fell to a low of $1,474.25 as governments worldwide began enacting stay-at-home orders because of COVID-19.
From there, the price of gold started climbing, rising every month until it passed the $2,000-per-ounce mark in August—its highest point in eight years.
It didn’t stay there long, dropping back down and finishing the year with a cumulative average of $1,769.64 an ounce.
This year hasn’t quite seen the peaks and dips experienced in 2020, but notable swings in 2021 include a high of $1,902.75 in June and a low of $1,683.95 in March, Kitco charts show.
According to Kitco, the gold price has averaged $1,803.57 per ounce so far this year.
The World Gold Council said the price of gold averaged $1,816.50 per ounce in the second quarter, only slightly higher than the first quarter and up 6 percent year-over-year.
Meanwhile, gold jewelry demand is working its way back up in some markets after being dealt a huge blow last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, WGC’s latest “Gold Demand Trends” report shows.
Global gold jewelry demand in Q2 was 60 percent higher year-over-year at 390.7 tons, but that’s compared with Q2 2020, when demand was “slashed” by the pandemic.
WGC noted the strong second quarter in 2021 was bolstered by global economic recovery and improving consumer sentiment.
While gold jewelry demand is improving, it still has a way to go before it reaches pre-pandemic levels, WGC added.
When compared with 2019, demand remains “significantly weaker”—second quarter demand is 26 percent lower than Q2 2019, and H1 demand is down 18 percent.
H1 demand of 873.7 tons was 17 percent lower than its 2015-2019 average in the six-month period, WGC reported.
On a positive note, the United States was one of the markets generating “considerable growth” in gold jewelry demand so far in 2021, proving to be more resilient this year.
Related stories will be right here …
The precious metal started 2020 averaging $1,560.67 an ounce, according to Kitco, then rose until mid-March, when it fell to a low of $1,474.25 as governments worldwide began enacting stay-at-home orders because of COVID-19.
From there, the price of gold started climbing, rising every month until it passed the $2,000-per-ounce mark in August—its highest point in eight years.
It didn’t stay there long, dropping back down and finishing the year with a cumulative average of $1,769.64 an ounce.
This year hasn’t quite seen the peaks and dips experienced in 2020, but notable swings in 2021 include a high of $1,902.75 in June and a low of $1,683.95 in March, Kitco charts show.
According to Kitco, the gold price has averaged $1,803.57 per ounce so far this year.
The World Gold Council said the price of gold averaged $1,816.50 per ounce in the second quarter, only slightly higher than the first quarter and up 6 percent year-over-year.
Meanwhile, gold jewelry demand is working its way back up in some markets after being dealt a huge blow last year during the COVID-19 pandemic, WGC’s latest “Gold Demand Trends” report shows.
Global gold jewelry demand in Q2 was 60 percent higher year-over-year at 390.7 tons, but that’s compared with Q2 2020, when demand was “slashed” by the pandemic.
WGC noted the strong second quarter in 2021 was bolstered by global economic recovery and improving consumer sentiment.
While gold jewelry demand is improving, it still has a way to go before it reaches pre-pandemic levels, WGC added.
When compared with 2019, demand remains “significantly weaker”—second quarter demand is 26 percent lower than Q2 2019, and H1 demand is down 18 percent.
H1 demand of 873.7 tons was 17 percent lower than its 2015-2019 average in the six-month period, WGC reported.
On a positive note, the United States was one of the markets generating “considerable growth” in gold jewelry demand so far in 2021, proving to be more resilient this year.
The market’s gold jewelry demand in Q2 was $22.8 billion, taking H1 total spending to $50.7 billion, which is 18 percent higher than the 2015-2019 H1 average and the highest H1 total since 2014.
(WGC noted that continued travel restrictions and varying degrees of market lockdowns across the globe continue to disrupt data collection, so some markets “may be more susceptible than usual to future revisions once normal fieldwork can resume.”)
The WGC attributed Q2 demand for gold jewelry in the U.S. to the same factors that supported the market in Q1—improved consumer sentiment due to the vaccination program, federal income support measures, and economic growth.
U.S. consumers also remain somewhat limited in their ability to travel, thereby diverting disposable incomes to other areas, including gold jewelry.
China also has experienced strong demand for gold jewelry so far this year, with gold jewelry demand in the first half of the year the highest it’s been since 2015.
H1 jewelry demand was 338 tons, a 122 percent increase year-over-year and 6 percent increase over H1 2019, amid a strengthening Chinese economy and increasing disposable incomes.
Meanwhile, struggles in the Indian market—a huge player when it comes to gold jewelry—greatly impacted the overall numbers.
India was one of the hardest hit markets in 2020 and experienced a devastating second wave of COVID-19 in Q2 2021.
After starting the second quarter on a strong note, demand weakened toward the end of April before coming to a near-standstill in May, WGC said, as the second wave swept across India and resulted in regional lockdowns and fears of economic shutdown.
H1 gold jewelry demand in India totaled 157.6 tons, which is 46 percent below H1 2019 and 39 percent lower than the H1 average from 2015-2019.
WGC said it is optimistic about the rest of the year for the Chinese market but noted the outlook for the remainder of 2021 in India was “mixed,” especially with the possible threat of a third wave of COVID-19 and more lockdowns.
For the overall gold jewelry market, WGC said demand could be in the range of 1,600-1,800 tons for the year, which would be well above 2020 levels but below the five-year average.
It added that while another variant-driven COVID-19 wave would create challenges for the sector, it still believes that “a repeat of last year’s low jewelry demand levels [is] highly unlikely.”
More on Majors
The Latest
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
AuctionsMar 09, 2026
Joanna Carson’s Jewels Lead White-Glove SaleThe top jewelry lot of the late model’s estate sale, hosted by John Moran Auctioneers, was an Oscar Heyman & Brothers for Cartier necklace.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
