DiamondBuzz
US Jewelry Sales Decline as Affluent Consumers Shift Spending
Signet Jewelers reports a revenue drop, while luxury brands like Richemont see growth, as jewelry preferences shift toward experiences and sustainability.
Signet Jewelers, the world’s largest diamond jewelry retailer, has reported a 7% revenue decline for fiscal 2025, with sales dropping to $6.7 billion from $7.1 billion, following a 12% decline the previous year. This downward trend is expected to continue, with the company forecasting sales between $6.53 billion and $6.8 billion for 2026, a further 13-16% decrease over three years. CEO J.K. Symancyk, “Growth has been elusive.”
While the overall U.S. jewelry market grew by 5% in 2024 to $85.4 billion, affluent consumers are beginning to pull back on their spending. The report also points to mass-market success stories like Pandora, which saw a 14% growth in the U.S., and luxury brands such as Richemont’s Cartier, which saw a 15% rise to $4.3 billion. However, LVMH’s jewelry division (Tiffany) grew only 1%, and independent jewelers reported a modest 1% sales increase.
According to Chandler Mount of Affluent Consumer Research Company, the luxury market is expected to shift in 2025, as high-net-worth individuals prioritize experiences, sustainability, and economic caution. ACRC data revealed that jewelry purchase intent among consumers earning $200k+ fell from 28% in 2022 to 22% this year, reflecting a loss of 1.5 million potential buyers every quarter.
A reputed magazine as per the report also highlights the growing popularity of lab-grown diamonds (LGDs), which saw a 43% increase in unit sales due to lower prices, putting pressure on natural diamond sales. Mount noted that affluent consumers are increasingly favoring experiences, such as travel, over physical goods, signaling a potential contraction in the jewelry market if economic optimism does not recover.
DiamondBuzz
41st World Diamond Congress To Tackle Geopolitics and Shifting Consumer Tides
Industry To Discuss Russian Sanctions, African Supply Dominance, and A Looming Generational Handover.
The World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and the International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) announced Friday that the 41st World Diamond Congress will convene in Singapore from July 12–15, 2026. The four-day summit arrives at a pivotal moment for the $100 billion jewelry market, which is currently wrestling with the rise of lab-grown alternatives and tightening transparency requirements.
Five Pillars of the 2026 Agenda
The Congress has structured its programming around five core challenges that are expected to define the industry’s trajectory through the end of the decade:
- African Supply Leadership: A deep dive into the continent’s evolving role from a raw material source to a strategic power player.
- The Asian Pivot: Executives will explore untapped potential in the ASEAN bloc, specifically targeting emerging middle-class wealth in Indonesia, Vietnam, and Malaysia.
- Geopolitics and Sanctions: Critical sessions will address the ongoing trade-related restrictions that have reshaped global supply chains since 2022.
- The Demand Deficit: Stakeholders will brainstorm strategies to revitalize the global desire for natural diamonds over synthetic competitors.
- Generational Transition: A focus on integrating the “next gen” of leadership into the traditionally conservative diamond pipeline.
A Strategic Crossroads
The Congress will host an international mix of government representatives, manufacturers, and trade bodies. It noted that the ASEAN region represents a vital frontier for trade as traditional Western markets mature.
The timing of the event is strategic; it will run concurrently with the Singapore International Jewelry Expo (SIJE), bridging the gap between raw supply discussions and the high-end retail sector.
Market Outlook
For many in attendance, the primary concern remains the “natural vs. lab” debate. As Gen Z and Millennial buyers prioritize ethical sourcing and price transparency, the industry is under pressure to refine its narrative. The Congress is expected to serve as the primary forum for establishing a unified marketing front to bolster natural diamond demand.
Registration for the event remains open, with the industry’s top brass expected to finalize the roster of panel participants in the coming weeks.
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