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Plumb Club Jewellery Survey: Birthstones are popular, personalization matters

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Just in time for buying season, The Plumb Club is sharing consumer research findings from its Industry and Market Insights 2025, that give retailers the inside scoop on the products, categories and services customers are looking for when they purchase jewelry.

US consumers are buying gemstone jewelry, with 65% seeking out designs containing birthstones, a Plumb Club survey showed. Some 39%, a 7% increase from the previous survey in 2023, were interested in bright-colored gemstones. Meanwhile the interest in neutral tones dropped 12% compared to the prior study to 34%, The Plumb Club said last week, releasing further results from its 2025 Industry and Market Insights report. The company conducted the survey, which analyzes consumer preferences, in collaboration with Paola De Luca and research firm Qualtrics. 

  • Birthstones Are Popular:
    65% of US consumers look for jewelry featuring birthstones when shopping for gemstone pieces.
  • Rising Interest in Color:
    39% of consumers prefer bright-colored gemstones, up 7% from 2023.
    Interest in neutral-tone gemstones fell to 34%, a 12% drop from last year.
  • Pearls Remain a Favorite:
    81% of consumers like pearls, especially as gifts.
    For personal use, 52% choose white pearls, and 25% prefer colored pearls.
    50% favor classic pearl strands, while 32% like modern pearl styles.
  • Metal Preferences:
    26% prefer yellow gold, 24% white gold, and 23% platinum.
    Despite higher gold prices, half of consumers still choose gold (any color) as their favorite.
  • Top Jewelry Categories:
    28% prefer rings, 24% earrings (down 9% from last year), and 23% necklaces (up 3%).
  • Style Choices:
    For rings:
  • 46% want diamond/gemstone accents
  • 30% want diamond/gemstone-heavy styles
  • 24% choose plain bands
    For earrings:
  • 51% prefer studs
  • 37% like drops
  • 32% choose chandelier styles

  • Personalization Matters:
  • 69% say personalized jewelry is important or extremely important.
    64% want jewelry personalized with messages, initials, names, or special dates.
  • Survey Details:
    Surveyed 2,000 US consumers, ages 25–60, with household incomes over $75,000.

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Education

The New-Age Jewellery Professional: Why Tech Education for Jewellery Industry is the Biggest Growth Driver

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The jewellery industry is no longer defined by craftsmanship alone. Today, it sits at the intersection of design, technology, sustainability, finance, branding, and global trade. As consumer expectations evolve and competition intensifies, structured education and continuous skill development are emerging as the most powerful growth catalysts for the sector.

For a dynamic industry like India’s jewellery market, education is not optional — it is strategic.

From Karigar to Knowledge Professional

For decades, the backbone of the industry has been generational craftsmanship. While this legacy remains invaluable, modern jewellery businesses now demand professionals who understand:

  • Gemology and diamond grading
  • CAD and 3D jewellery design
  • Retail management and consumer psychology
  • Digital marketing and brand storytelling
  • International trade compliance and tariffs
  • ESG and sustainability frameworks

Institutions such as the Gemological Institute of America and the Indian Institute of Gems and Jewellery have played a key role in formalising education pathways, helping transform traditional artisans and retailers into globally competitive professionals.

Trend Watch: Rise of Tech-Integrated Learning

One of the strongest education trends shaping the industry is technology integration.

  • CAD & CAM Training: Digital prototyping reduces costs and speeds up product development cycles.
  • AI in Retail Forecasting: Data-driven inventory planning is replacing intuition-based buying.
  • Blockchain Awareness: Traceability in diamonds and coloured gemstones is becoming a compliance requirement rather than a luxury.
  • Lab-Grown Diamond Expertise: As lab-grown diamonds gain market share, understanding grading, pricing dynamics, and consumer positioning has become critical.

Educational programs now increasingly blend online modules with hands-on workshops, enabling faster upskilling for working professionals.

The Bridal Economy & Consumer Education

India’s bridal jewellery segment continues to drive demand, but the modern bride is informed and research-oriented. She compares:

  • Natural vs lab-grown diamonds
  • Hallmarking standards
  • Ethical sourcing claims
  • Design originality

Retailers who invest in staff education see higher trust conversion rates. Well-trained sales professionals are no longer “salespeople” — they are consultants guiding life-defining purchases.

Financial Literacy in Jewellery

Another emerging area is financial education within the industry itself. With gold functioning as both adornment and asset, professionals must understand:

  • Gold monetisation frameworks
  • Hedging strategies
  • Commodity price cycles
  • Working capital management

Structured knowledge helps businesses move from being inventory-heavy traders to strategically managed enterprises.

Sustainability & Responsible Sourcing

Global buyers increasingly demand proof of ethical sourcing and environmental compliance. Education around responsible mining practices, supply-chain transparency, and ESG reporting is becoming central to export competitiveness.

Industry bodies such as the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council regularly conduct seminars and workshops to align Indian exporters with evolving global standards.

The Future: Hybrid Skills Will Win

The next generation jewellery professional will not be defined by a single skill. The future belongs to those who combine:

  • Design sensibility
  • Technical expertise
  • Business acumen
  • Digital fluency
  • Ethical awareness

For a sector contributing significantly to India’s exports and employment, education is the bridge between heritage and high growth.

Knowledge is the new luxury. As the jewellery industry transitions into a more organised, tech-enabled, and globally integrated ecosystem, continuous learning will determine who leads and who lags. The sparkle of the future will not just come from diamonds — it will come from informed minds shaping the industry.

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JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.

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