Jewelry web blog

“This is the year that they might decide to select a significant piece of diamond jewelry, rather than multiple smaller pieces,” says Alycia Alves, Hamilton Jewelers, Lawrenceville, N.J. * “Diamonds are selling better now than at Christmas, and finer goods are selling best. People would rather have a smaller, higher-quality stone than a larger, included stone,” says Paul Messerlian, Baxter’s Fine Jewelry, Warwick, R.I. * “It’s crazy bad. We’ve sold two really big stones lately, but the rest is all small stuff, quarter- to half-carats,” says Mike Fanedo, Fanedos tiffany jewelry, Trumbull, Conn.

SOUTHEAST “At Valentine’s Day, we sold more necklaces and earrings than engagement rings. Sales are down, but I’m still selling my three-quarter to one-carat stones,” says Rick Santackas, Rees Jewelers, Glen Allen, Va. * “Recently, we’ve been selling some engagement solitaires of less than a carat, and overall sales are down about 20 percent this year,” says Lamar Merle, Selman’s Jewelers, McComb, Miss. * “Nobody wants VSi or higher anymore once they see the price and see that SI looks just as good to the naked eye,” says Joshua Strickland, Faith Jewelers, Jacksonville, Fla.

MIDWEST “We sell to retailers, and our Christmas sales were down 30 percent, but they’re up 25 percent for February. Rounds and princess cuts always sell best, and consumers seem to be asking for more expensive bridal jewelry,” says Bradley Gross, Diamond Designs, Akron, Ohio. * “Diamond sales are off, but rounds still are the best sellers, and I haven’t noticed any change in price points,” says Rick Kaiser, Ferley Jewelers, Pierre, S.D.

SOUTH CENTRAL “I haven’t noticed a big change in what people are paying, but there’s more demand for princess cuts, and I try to talk customers out of them because that’s a fad,” says Shannon Carmichael, Carmichael’s Jewelry, Texarkana, Texas. * Our diamond sales are down about 20 percent, but I’m not noticing a difference in what people are buying, or in price points,” says Kurt Eskew, EskeVs Fine Jewelers, Lee’s Summit, Mo.

WEST “Customers usually have budgets, but the girls want big stones, and what they want, they will find a way to get,” says Pat Gibson, Van’s Jewelry, Kent, Wash. 8 “Diamond sales are down. [Price] point varies, but they almost always are shopping for price,” says Val Hayes, Capital Jewelers, Carson City, Nev.