Research data shows that 2015 was a particularly successful year in the jewelry market. According to industry surveys, global sales of fine jewelry increased by 3% and sales of gold jewelry rose 8%, indicating that demand for these products was robust. Also, the growing trend towards gold as an investment asset continued to drive demand for high-end investment pieces. These figures demonstrate that there was healthy consumer confidence in the luxury jewelery sector during 2015.
Further insights can be gleaned from customer surveys conducted by leading research firms. Responses indicated that consumers desired unique and interesting pieces, with 97% of survey respondents indicating they wanted jewelry with an individualistic element, as opposed to mass-produced designs. This suggests people were more willing to invest in standout pieces of traditional or contemporary designs.
The rise of eCommerce has also had an impact on consumer trends in the jewelry market, with online retail sales up 11% year-on-year from 2014 to 2015. With a growth rate well ahead of overall retail (3%), more people are turning to the internet for their jewelry needs, and this trend looks set to continue into 2016 and beyond.
Thus it appears that brands are investing heavily in online marketing in order to promote their collections and reach out to new customers worldwide.
Overall it is clear that 2015 saw a significant shift towards greater consumer interest in finely crafted bespoke jewellery designs and enhanced digital engagement took hold within this sector. In spite of ongoing uncertainty regarding currency fluctuations due to Brexit, favorable market conditions have enabled sustained growth within this marketplace over the course of the year – a trend which looks set to continue into 2016.
Growing Popularity of Unisex Jewelry
jewelry trends for 2015 are focusing on unisex jewelry. This type of jewelry is designed to be worn by both men and women, allowing people to express their style and personality without being confined to stereotypical gender norms. A variety of different types and styles of unisex jewelry have been showing up in the market. Minimalistic pieces like signet rings, cylindrical pendants, modern yet classic necklaces, chokers, watches and bracelets are popular from both genders.
Unisex charms, which can be stacked in combination with other charms of different shapes, colors and materials for a dynamic visual effect, is also gaining traction this year; particularly among young adults who value creative styling choices. Fashion-forward designs such as rugged leather-strapped watches or bold cufflinks are gaining popularity too – these pieces bring a touch of rebelliousness to any accessory wardrobe or outfit.
Eco-friendly materials such as wood beads or grainy leathers are becoming more common in the market as they provide an effortless modern look while conforming to ethical standards that consumers care about today. In addition to this; designers are turning to upcycled metals such as silver or gold brass, which blend with vintage appeal tailored for those looking for something less polished yet still fashionable.
The bottom line? Unisex designs offer something unexpected which can give any outfit a great deal of individuality without compromising on quality craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Increase in Demand for Sustainable Materials
The jewelry market trends in 2015 have been heavily influenced by the shift toward using sustainable materials. While this trend likely goes beyond mere fashion statements, it speaks to a growing awareness of larger environmental and social impacts of the jewelry industry on our planet. People are becoming increasingly aware that they have power with their wallets, and are calling for transparency from producers when it comes to understanding the source and process behind their products.
Popular ethical jewelry designers such as Naomi Sarna Jewelry and No Ties Studio lead the way forward in producing beautiful pieces that also minimize environmental damage. Both designers are passionate about ensuring that all their materials come from suppliers who adhere to strict ethical standards for production (such as limiting air pollution and not utilizing antimony ore). They emphasize quality design, use conflict-free diamonds, recycled metals and ethically-sourced gemstones whenever possible.
The impact of these ethical designs is more than just a feel-good factor; many customers report experiencing a sense of satisfaction knowing that their purchases are eco-friendly and helping to build a better future for everyone. As well as being socially responsible, wearing an altered or remade piece of jewelry can add an air of understated elegance to any ensemble.
Overall, jewelry trends 2015 will be focusing on designs that go beyond aesthetics alone: they prioritize sustainability while still making sure that the end product is stunning enough to turn heads.
Trends in Gemstones and Colored Stones
The jewelry market in 2015 is experiencing a notable shift in the trends seen in gemstones and colored stones. For example, on a global market level, more companies are sourcing their materials from all corners of the world leading to an even larger selection for consumers. The diversity in design, shape and clarity that comes with this increased availability has contributed to a greater demand for these gems across different markets.
This trend represents a shift away from traditional diamonds and other precious gems as customers search for alternatives that meet their individual style needs without adding substantial cost. As these stones become more available worldwide, their prices will remain competitive allowing them to remain just as desirable alternatives to let consumers’ expression of style grow beyond what was offered in the past.
The appeal of these alternative gems extends back beyond 2015 as they have been long admired by artisans of the craftsmanship creating unique pieces that push aesthetic boundaries with innovative techniques such as carved and infrared jewelry pieces or light refraction ornaments such as opals and moonstones.
In recent years, many fashion designers have also picked up on this trend and incorporated colored stones into various accessories such as handbags or earrings offering customers another channel of creativity when expressing themselves; although at higher costs than those traditionally seen by many specialized jewelry makers.
Overall the increased availability of gemstones and colored stones is continuing to influence consumer habits worldwide providing access to more exotic places from around the globe without having leave it and maintaining affordability levels that match those found elsewhere.
This creates an opportunity for greater recognition for artisans specializing in this craft from both local markets nearby as well original goods from all over the world, inviting us to discover new worlds through old traditions we now can find much closer than before.
Luxury Brands and Personalization Continue to Dominate
The luxury jewelry sector is experiencing a shakeup due to the influence of technology and changing consumer trends. Jewelry brands are leveraging technology to design custom pieces, harnessing the capabilities of 3D printing, augmented reality, virtual reality, and robotics.
These advancements add more flexibility to designs, allowing for mass customization and clever reusing of materials in a cost-effective way. Additionally, thanks to modern production methods such as automation and data-driven process design, brands can deliver higher quality product faster than ever before.
In tandem with this shift in how products are produced, there has been an exponential increase in direct-to-consumer luxury retailers. Brands like Catbird NYC have shortened their supply chain by selling directly online without any intermediaries. This allows these companies to bypass traditional markups associated with wholesalers and offer more competitive prices while still providing top-tier quality goods.
Personalization is playing an increasingly important role in the world of jewelry owing to Millennials’ preference for customized fashion pieces that tell their own unique story. Jewelry pieces with names or “words that shine” are becoming wildly popular depending on the level of detail desired by customers.
Engraving service providers have sprung up offering solutions that enable customers to make detailed modifications to their purchases online – such as adding a secret message inside a ring or a pendant – providing them with truly one-of-a-kind items tailored exactly for them.
This year the jewelry market continues growing at an exciting rate as it adjusts to changing consumer trends and technological advances in production methods. As new business models emerge from agents of disruption seeking opportunities within this space it will be interesting to see what additional disruptions appear in coming years.
DIY Jewelry is a Growing Trend
DIY jewelry-making has been around since the ancient cultures, however today it is an extremely popular hobby amongst crafty individuals. Two popular DIYers I spoke to this year, Tammy and Sarah, had a lot to say about the trends they’ve seen in 2015. Firstly, both Tammy and Sarah agreed that bangles were by far the most requested item made.
According to Tammy, many of her customers wanted thicker, statement bangles that could be dressed up or down depending on their outfit. She added that often she would receive requests for personal gems or crystals to be added to bangles so they would be completely unique to each customer.
Next up I spoke with them both about colour trends they had noticed. Both said that yellow gold had been very sought after this year along with rose gold and silver pieces with intricate detailing.
Sarah even mentioned one request from a customer who also wanted any leftover trimming from the pieces to be used by her for another special project. Lastly when it came to design requests, Tammy told me she often gets requests for ‘boho style’ bracelets featuring big gemstones like turquoise or labradorite along with intricate beadwork designs which are incredibly popular at the moment.
Overall what was evident from my interviews with both DIY Jewelry makers was that 2015 has been a great year for those producing handmade jewelry items. The rise in demand for custom tailored pieces means more creativity and innovation being put into pieces which we can only imagine will continue in 2016.
Fashion Meets Technology
The combination of jewelry and technology has been around for a while, but recently the marriage of technology and fashion is taking off. Wearable technology has become an integral part of many people’s lives.
New products in 2015 such as fitness trackers, GPS enabled watches, and even tricorder-like electronic sensors all offer ways to improve upon how people handle data about their health and environment. Smart jewelry ties into this emerging trend with new items offering the basis for todays wearable form factor.
Wearable tech can now be found in stylish and highly customizable pieces from versatile designers like Tory Burch, Tory Sport and Emporia Armani EA Connected who offer everything from smart bracelets with embedded tech applications to retro-style digital watches. Even luxury brands have developed more wearable tech product lines such as Kate Spade Saturday Smart Jewelry Collection which offers a diverse selection of necklaces and broaches that incorporate motion sensing features.
And while fashion accessoriesmakers are entering the fray, many tech companies are striving to enhance jewelry items with added capabilities that extend beyond just tracking one’s steps during a jog or delivering notifications through one’s watch.
We are starting to witness some truly creative solutions that combine both technological expertise with extraordinary design style seen in products such as Kerv rings by Kerv Wearables Ltd which allow users to pay with any bank card via contactless payments without ever needing their wallet.
In addition connected rings also monitor sleep patterns as well as night out partying habits.
Overall,wearable technology products are continuing to go above and beyond what was imaginable only a few years ago thanks largely in part due to advancing technologies being made available at ever lower costs. Thus it comes as no surprise that many opted to make them fashionable yet useful pieces of jewelry rather than unattractive devices that one might want hide away on their wrists or neckline.
For today’s customers looking convenience of cellular communication combined with unmatched styles, wearable technology is sure to cater tastefully modern statements piecies for those customer searching for both trends and functionality on one melded device.
The Growing Influence of Jewelry on Social Media
The influence of jewelry on social media platforms is growing rapidly. With the rise of influencer marketing, companies have recognized the importance of promoting their products on popular networks like Instagram and Facebook. Jewelry brands are taking full advantage of the massive reach these platforms offer, creating compelling visuals, videos and advertisements to engage with current customers and attract new ones.
One way that brands are promoting themselves is by crafting unique stories and campaigns that tell a specific story about their product. Using this approach can help build relationships with potential customers and foster brand loyalty for existing ones. Companies are also using images to capture customers’ attention; from close-ups of gemstones, to models wearing them in dynamic scenarios all surrounded in aspirational messaging – visual stimulation has become a key tool when selling jewelry online.
In addition, brands are leveraging influencers and micro-influencers who own large followings on major social networks like Instagram, YouTube and Pinterest to increase engagement around their products. These influencers allow for niche markets to be reached directly via say reviews or styling tips, capturing shoppers’ attention in an often organic way due to their personal endorsement of the brand or product in question.
Not only do they bridge the gap between brand awareness and customer conversion but they afford companies another avenue with which they can present age appropriate content in a venue that reaches millennials and Gen Zers alike.
Conclusion
The jewelry market in 2015 had several notable trends. One of the most dominant trends was an increase in the personalization of jewelry designs, with more and more consumers opting for unique customized pieces. This not only gave customers a sense of ownership over their pieces but also allowed them to publicly express their individual styles.
In addition, customers were increasingly looking for statement pieces that combined a mixture of materials such as metals, stone, and organic beads. These eye-catching pieces were designed to draw attention and were especially at the forefront of fashion-forward looks.
As a result of these trends there has been a surge in independent, boutique-style jewelers who offer custom designs along with outright customization service for those who wish to design something completely unique. Additionally, more traditional retail stores have included sections dedicated to customized or unique jewelry items as part of their selection which helps meet customer demand.
Overall, 2015 was a successful year for the jewelry market with continued growth in key areas such as personalization, statement pieces, and independent jewelers. Customers continue to be drawn towards innovative designs that reflect their own style while still providing quality and craftsmanship throughout each piece they purchase. Thus having both retailers and shoppers focus on details like style and quality is sure to make 2016 another successful year in the jewelry market.
Welcome to my jewelry blog! My name is Sarah and I am the owner of this blog.
I love making jewelry and sharing my creations with others.
So whether you’re someone who loves wearing jewelry yourself or simply enjoys learning about it, be sure to check out my blog for insightful posts on everything related to this exciting topic!
