SurveysNov 01, 2021
Why the NRF Believes It’ll Be a Record-Setting Holiday SeasonSurveysNov 29, 2021
Survey: Jewelry, Watch Purchases Are Up in 2021
Here’s what else Provoke Insights found in its latest consumer study.
The Boheme Confetti Lune Noire chain from Delphine Leymarie Fine Jewelry’s new Confetti Lune collection, featuring onyx inlay and 18-karat yellow gold ($2,460)
New York—Consumer behavior has changed since the start of the pandemic, and it’s an area that continues to transform.
To help brands keep up with these shifting behaviors and the trends that are popping up, market research firm Provoke Insights launched a biannual study gauging consumer thoughts.
This fall, it conducted a 15-minute survey from Sept. 22-28 among 1,504 Americans between the ages of 21 and 65.
When it comes to luxury accessories, the study found that more than 10 percent of consumers are buying jewelry and watches, up slightly from earlier this year.
According to the survey results, 6 percent indicated they had purchased fine jewelry in the past month, a 1 percent increase from January 2021.
For watches, meanwhile, 7 percent of survey takers said they had purchased a watch in the past month, which is a 3 percent uptick over January.
Interestingly, these purchases are being made by younger, more affluent consumers living in urban areas, Provoke Insights found.
Related stories will be right here …
To help brands keep up with these shifting behaviors and the trends that are popping up, market research firm Provoke Insights launched a biannual study gauging consumer thoughts.
This fall, it conducted a 15-minute survey from Sept. 22-28 among 1,504 Americans between the ages of 21 and 65.
When it comes to luxury accessories, the study found that more than 10 percent of consumers are buying jewelry and watches, up slightly from earlier this year.
According to the survey results, 6 percent indicated they had purchased fine jewelry in the past month, a 1 percent increase from January 2021.
For watches, meanwhile, 7 percent of survey takers said they had purchased a watch in the past month, which is a 3 percent uptick over January.
Interestingly, these purchases are being made by younger, more affluent consumers living in urban areas, Provoke Insights found.
Luxury purchasers are more likely to want to take their time picking items—61 percent of those who said they had purchased jewelry or watches in the past month said they enjoy spending time to pick items.
And 49 percent of those who had bought jewelry or watches recently said they are more likely to stick with brands they know.
More of the luxury purchasers are willing to pay a premium for a sustainably sourced item, and they prefer to shop online—41 percent of luxury shoppers said this is their preference.
And though they might prefer e-commerce shopping, when they are in store, luxury consumers indicated they feel the experience has improved compared with shopping pre-pandemic, especially when it comes to store cleanliness and customer service.
Provoke also asked respondents about attire and fashion trends.
It found that Americans are still dressing “dressing down” compared to what they wore pre-COVID, with more than three-fourths saying their attire is more casual.
This includes jewelry, with women saying overall they’re wearing less jewelry than they were before, though that number appears to be decreasing. More women are back to wearing jewelry than at the start of the pandemic, Provoke Insights said.
To view the full Fall 2021 Trends study, visit ProvokeInsights.com.
More on Surveys
The Latest
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
7.52-Carat Unheated Paraíba Tourmaline Sells for $1.3M at Sotheby’s The top lot of the auction house’s Hong Kong jewelry sale was an Art Deco Mauboussin necklace with ruby beads, which sold for $2 million.
Policies & IssuesSep 18, 2026
Tariffs, Retail Crime Top of Mind at JA’s Annual Fly-In Retailers and manufacturers headed to the Capitol this week to discuss tariff exemptions for diamonds and gemstones, among other issues.
CollectionsSep 18, 2026
Nanis Transforms Its ‘Boule’ Into a Mirror Our Piece of the Week is a pair of drop earrings from the “Sway” collection featuring Nanis’ first use of mirror-polished gold.
Brought to you by
Meet Gemology’s Next Generation Microscope: GIA® Gemolite® NXT Professional EditionExperience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.
GradingSep 18, 2026
De Beers Introduces Faster Version of Diamond Screening Machine SynthDetect 2 can scan a full tray in less than five minutes, De Beers said, making it six times faster than its predecessors.
Weekly QuizSep 17, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsSep 18, 2026
Noonans To Auction Medieval Gold Seal Ring Recovered By 2 FriendsTwo metal detectorists discovered the ring, which may have belonged to English noblewoman Matilda of Lancaster, in Suffolk.
Policies & IssuesSep 17, 2026
Tariffs on India Could Increase as Russian Sanctions Bill Heads to Trump’s DeskThe bill has a provision that allows the president to raise tariffs on countries that import Russian oil and gas to as much as 100 percent.
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.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
This Is the Winner of the 2026 Robert M. Shipley AwardThe American Gem Society presented the annual award to a former president of its board.
CollectionsSep 17, 2026
Cynthia Erivo, Zoë Chicco’s Jewelry Collab Is an Ode to TransformationThe “Chrysalis” capsule centers butterfly motifs representing growth, transformation, and the unfolding of who you are.
Events & AwardsSep 17, 2026
Louisiana Retailer Kevin Patton Wins Lifetime Achievement AwardJewelers of Louisiana presented Patton, the third-generation president of Pattons Fine Jewelry, with the award at its annual convention.
PodcastsSep 16, 2026
Episode 9: Remembering Cindy EdelsteinTwo special guests join the podcast to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the designer advocate, mentor, and author’s untimely passing.
CollectionsSep 16, 2026
Jessica McCormack, L’Objet Collab on Homewares CollectionMcCormack brings sea-inspired motifs from her “Beaches” collection to L’Objet’s tableware, vanity pieces, and first-ever cutlery set.
CrimeSep 16, 2026
JSA Issues Warning to NJ Jewelers After Rash of Smash and GrabsNine New Jersey jewelers have been victims of smash-and-grab robberies this year, prompting JSA to circulate a list of recommendations.
IndependentsSep 16, 2026
Bromberg & Co. Names New PresidentMarlin “Brian” Hood, who has been with the store for 20 years, will succeed Ricky Bromberg, who died earlier this month.
MajorsSep 16, 2026
Midas Chain Releases ‘House of Midas’ Bridal CatalogThe new bridal catalog features the latest jewelry collections and designs from timeless classics to modern silhouettes.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
2026 Emmys Jewelry: An Either/Or Proposition Stars wore either a necklace or earrings at 78th Primetime Emmy Awards but rarely both, Natalie Francisco notes.
ColumnistsSep 15, 2026
The Levels Your Website Must Clear Before AI Recommends YouJennifer Shaheen compares this new era of AI-powered SEO to a video game: your website must clear one level before advancing to the next.
IndependentsSep 15, 2026
Armadani Launches Retail Support Program for Holiday SeasonThe program highlights “Made in Italy” fine jewelry with digital merchandising, sales education, and local marketing support.
EditorsSep 15, 2026
Q&A: Signet Jewelers’ Joan Hilson on Diamond Demand, the HolidaysHilson, Signet’s chief operating and financial officer, discussed Q2, resurgent natural diamond demand, and why Blue Nile is a standout.
ColumnistsSep 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: Stop Waiting for December to Save Your ChristmasThe stores that have a great December are the ones that made good decisions in August, September, and October, Sherry Smith writes.
AuctionsSep 14, 2026
22 Carats of ‘Sunshine’ Are Up for AuctionThe 22.09-carat fancy yellow “Pragnell Kimberley Sunshine Diamond” is part of the fall jewelry sale at Heritage Auctions.
IndependentsSep 14, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers to Unveil Photography Exhibition“Adornos: Jewelry, Memory & What We Pass Down” honors the jewelry’s importance to New York City’s Latine communities.
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Gemfields Sells All Lots at First Emerald Auction in 9 MonthsThe company’s managing director of sales said the results demonstrate “continued strong demand for commercial-quality emeralds.”
SourcingSep 14, 2026
Diamonds Do Good Pledges Support for Eye Care ProgramThe nonprofit awarded a grant to the Gift of Sight initiative spearheaded by South African musician Black Coffee.
CollectionsSep 11, 2026
A Sapphire ‘Stardust’ Ring From Greenwich St. Jewelers The Latine-owned New York jeweler is marking two milestones this year: its 50th anniversary and the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.
MajorsSep 11, 2026
The Wishing Place by JTV OpensThe jewelry retail broadcast network has sponsored a new space for Make-A-Wish East Tennessee on its campus in Knoxville.
