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.
SurveysJun 22, 2016
Business Pulse: Top Diamond Shapes, Sizes and Settings
National Jeweler/Jewelers of America’s latest Business Pulse survey show that rounds and halos still reign supreme.
While halo settings reigned supreme among survey-takers, 9 percent did mention a few random styles that we classified under miscellaneous, including Art Deco, a center with two side stones, micro-pave, “rustic handmade,” and straight line.
New York--National Jeweler/Jewelers of America’s latest Business Pulse survey results confirm much of what is already known about the engagement ring market in the United States.
Round remains the most popular shape by a wide margin, the average center stone is about 1 carat in size and halo settings are still a favorite.
Conducted in mid- to late May, the Business Pulse asked jewelers to break down their engagement ring sales over the past year, with a total of about 150 retailers responding.
When asked what the most popular center stone shape was in their stores, the vast majority of respondents (94 percent) said round. Princess (3 percent) and cushion (2 percent) were the only other two shapes mentioned. (Numbers may not add up to 100 percent due to rounding.)
Gold, particularly white gold, was the most popular metal in respondents’ stores, and the halo was the most popular setting style, with 59 percent reporting it was the top pick among their customers.
Other styles that received a fair amount of mentions were vintage or vintage-inspired looks (12 percent) and solitaires (11 percent).
When it comes to how much their customers spend on engagement rings on average, the median figure was $5,000. The average was about $6,400, though the one survey-taker who reported an average spend of $90,000 in their store certainly helped lift that figure.
Both the median ($5,000) and the average ($6,391) recorded in the National Jeweler/JA survey are not far off the average U.S. engagement ring spend reported in The Knot’s latest Real Weddings Study, which was $5,871.
April flowers
When asked to compare their store’s year-over-year sales performance for the month of April, 69 percent of survey-takers reported that business was either steady or improved when compared to the prior-year period, with the highest percentage (32 percent) reporting a sales increase of 1 to 25 percent.
Of the 31 percent who reported a drop in sales, 21 percent said they saw sales decline less than 25 percent year-over-year while 10 percent said they dropped more than 25 percent.
A total of 268 jewelers completed the business comparison portion of the survey.
National Jeweler/Jewelers of America conducted its Business Pulse survey from May 20 to 28, in conjunction with the Product Pulse survey, which asked jewelers about platinum sales.
More on Surveys
The Latest
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
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.
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.
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.
Weekly QuizApr 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
GradingApr 23, 2024
GIA Has a New Book About William RuserRuser was known for his figural jewelry with freshwater pearls and for his celebrity clientele.
CollectionsApr 22, 2024
Jacquie Aiche’s New Campaign Stars Adam Levine, Behati PrinslooThe “Rebel Heart” campaign embodies rebellion, romance, and sensuality, the brand said.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers of America Represents Your BusinessFor over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
EditorsApr 22, 2024
The 22 Best Quotes from AGS Conclave 2024 Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff shares the standout moments from the education sessions she attended in Austin last week.
SourcingApr 22, 2024
Virtual Diamond Boutique Rebrands as ‘VDB’The overhaul includes a new logo and enhanced digital marketplace.
MajorsApr 22, 2024
Signet Raises Nearly $9M for St. Jude Children’s Research HospitalThe money will go toward supporting ongoing research and aftercare programs for childhood cancer survivors.
CollectionsApr 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Treasure NecklaceA new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
CrimeApr 19, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
MajorsApr 19, 2024
Unique Designs Acquires China PearlThe move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
GradingApr 19, 2024
AGS Ideal Report Now Available in Printed FormFrom now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
SourcingApr 18, 2024
Diamond Trade Remains Cautious Amid Economic UncertaintyDe Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Supplier BulletinApr 18, 2024
Discover History’s Hidden Gems at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
WatchesApr 18, 2024
Watch E-tailer Collectability Hires Kelly YochThe Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
WatchesApr 18, 2024
TAG Heuer Opens Its Largest Standalone Boutique at SeaThe 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2024
NDC Prevails in U.K. Case Over Lab-Grown Diamond AdvertisingNDC filed a complaint against Skydiamond for use of phrases like “diamonds made entirely from the sky.”
Events & AwardsApr 17, 2024
And the 2024 Winner of the Shipley Award Is … John Carter received the AGS’s highest honor Tuesday afternoon at Conclave in Austin, Texas.
FinancialsApr 17, 2024
LVMH’s Q1 Jewelry Sales Fall 5%LVMH said the company performed well despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
MajorsApr 17, 2024
Stuller’s B&D Opens New HeadquartersB&D Sales and Service held a ribbon-cutting event for its new location in Cranston, Rhode Island.
CollectionsApr 16, 2024
Akaila Reid Launches ‘Eat Cake’ CollectionIt’s ultra-feminine and filled with gold, pearls, and soft pastels.
MajorsApr 16, 2024
Loudr Adds 2 DirectorsEmily Highet Morgan and Emily Bennett have joined the agency’s team.
MajorsApr 16, 2024
Stuller Releases First Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CatalogIts updated book for mountings is also now available.
SourcingApr 16, 2024
Karen Rentmeesters Takes Over as Interim CEO of AWDCShe has been with the organization since 2010, most recently serving as its chief officer of PR and industry relations.
