Jeweller – February 2024

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Open Your Mind | BRIDAL FEATURE Calleija Calleija Emily Ratajowski Scarlett Johansson So, what does this mean for your business? You’ll need to be prepared to take advantage of a possible spike in customers looking for engagement and bridal jewellery. What do we know about the couples getting married? According to research from Easy Weddings, the average age of both bride and groom is rising. The average age of a bride in 2023 was 32, while for grooms, it was 35. “In 2019, the average couple was a 28-year-old bride and 29-year-old groom,” the report states. “While the marrying age of couples followed an upward trend for many years, contributed to by COVID postponements during 2020-2022, cost of living pressures have now impacted engagement lengths and extended marrying ages further as a result. A third of couples (33 per cent) are having a longer engagement due to budget concerns.” Cost-of-living pressures have reduced budgets for 79 per cent of couples and have led to a change in approach towards ‘the big day’. Experimenting Due to these budget constraints, couples are experimenting with cost-cutting measures and new ways to celebrate with friends and family that don’t break the bank. Regarding jewellery, these pressures have been paired with another interesting phenomenon in style and fashion – the increasing desire for personalisation. Younger consumers increasingly seek clothing and jewellery with a personalised touch, which suggests that the adornment is unique to them. When paired with budget pressures, this thirst for personalisation is encouraging young couples to explore non-traditional engagement and bridal jewellery. “While sentimental value can be imbued in a favourite pair of jeans, a signature scent, or a treasured knickknack unearthed at a thrift shop, there’s no denying that an engagement ring holds more emotional weight than any other item a person owns,” writes Shelby Wax of Vogue. “Should this trend continue, this year is an important opportunity for budding young couples and jewellery retailers.” “Given as a promise of love, loyalty, and partnership, an engagement ring is a piece of jewellery often worn every single day to honour one’s commitment to a spouse or spouse-to-be. Since this investment piece might feel as much a part of you as the hair on your head, having a ring design that feels authentic to you and your style is absolutely essential.” She adds: “That’s why creating a bespoke engagement ring is a must for many couples looking to tie the knot. Luckily, the process of going custom has become much simpler in the modern era.” Jeweller surveyed more than 200 independent jewellery retailers in Australia as part of its research for the 2024 State of the Industry Report. Retailers were asked if custom-made or bespoke jewellery has become increasingly important in their business in the past 5-10 years. More than 76 per cent of responses either ‘strongly agreed’ or ‘agreed’ to that statement, suggesting that personalisation is more appealing than ever for Australian consumers. Overwhelming options When it comes to experimental engagement ring options, there are many options to consider for consumers and retailers. • Emerald: With mesmerising green hues, emeralds are an enticing alternative to diamond jewellery. The best emerald is neither too deep nor too light in colour, striking a balanced intensity that is highly transparent. In recent years, few engagement rings have been as heavily discussed online as that of US actress Megan Fox. Following her engagement to rapper Machine Gun Kelly, Fox showcased a ring with two interlocking bands held together by a magnet. One band holds a pear-shaped diamond, while the other features a pear-shaped Colombian emerald, with both stones resting on an 18-carat white gold pavé set. • Ruby: Rubies are a popular alternative to a traditional engagement ring because they’re both bold while maintaining an aura of sophistication and class. Rubies come in a wide range of tones, from deep pink to dark red, and strike an impressive contrast against white and yellow precious metals. “The average planning cycle remains consistent, but we’ve noted a steady increase in the average age of couples, suggesting longer engagement periods and more thoughtful, deliberate planning.” “Not every couple experiences all of the 45 milestones we track, but we know that once they reach 25 to 30 of these milestones, they become, statistically, significantly more likely to move on to engagement.” “That’s why creating a bespoke engagement ring is a must for many couples looking to tie the knot. Luckily, the process of going custom has become much simpler in the modern era.” “Typically, when a woman hopes to wear a piece of jewellery for the rest of her life, she chooses a more traditional path and a ‘safe’ design, such as a classic round brilliant-cut solitaire.” Matt Butterworth Easy Weddings Virgina Drosos Signet Jewelers Shelby Wax Vogue Katerina Perez Natural Diamond Council 44 | February 2024
Ellendale Diamonds Linneys Among the more iconic ruby engagement rings is that of US actress Eva Longoria, who married Mexican film producer José Bastón in 2016. Longoria’s engagement ring features an eight-carat ruby halo set with diamonds in a platinum band. • Sapphire: Sapphire is a popular choice for engagement rings for various reasons. The gemstone comes in many colours and is one of the hardest alternative stones, which is ideal for everyday wear. Sapphires are not only durable, but they’re also versatile. They mix well with other gemstones and diamonds and can be worn alone. They pair well with silver, gold, and platinum and can be featured in classic and contemporary designs. In 2018, Princess Eugenie of York was engaged to boyfriend Jack Brooksbank, an English businessman. Princess Eugenie’s engagement ring features a rare padparadscha sapphire, displaying a unique pinkorange shade that highlights the wide range of colours the gemstone is capable of. • Opal: Opal jewellery might be the right choice for consumers looking for an engagement ring with a more vintage or ‘heirloom’ feel. With tightened discretionary spending in mind, opal rings are also a budget-friendly alternative for young couples amid the pressure of wedding expenses. Most of the world’s gemstone-quality opal is sourced from Australia, an additional advantage for consumers hoping to purchase something ‘homegrown’. Gossip columns and tabloid magazines in the US have been dominated by the relationship between singer Taylor Swift and NFL star Travis Kelce over the past year. In December, speculation ignited about an opal ring the Kansas City Chiefs player had gifted the singer, suggesting that it was symbolic of a planned engagement. • Morganite: Morganite is another gemstone that has grown in popularity “I remember looking for jewellery for my own wedding and struggling to find beautiful pieces that aligned with both my budget and vision for the big day.” Lauren Sommer Moi Moi Jewellery Moi Moi Our new Sapphire Dreams Autumn Edit is full of unforgettable jewellery designs crafted in premium 9ct or 18ct gold, centred around unique, one-of-a-kind Australian Sapphires. The pieces in this range showcase the beautiful colour range of these natural Australian gemstones, crafted into luxurious rings, pendants and earrings. SapphireDreams.com.au Become a stockist today 02 9290 2199
Page 1 and 2: VOICE OF THE AUSTRALIAN JEWELLERY I
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Page 10 and 11: 0 3 9663 2321 INFO@ATHAN.COM.AU WWW
Page 12 and 13: Editor’s Desk XXX For more than a
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Page 19 and 20: News Checking the pulse: Industry o
Page 21 and 22: News Diamond discovery: Tourist une
Page 23 and 24: Welcome to the world’s only diamo
Page 25 and 26: Shine Brighter Together! March 24-2
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Page 30 and 31: ADDENDUM TO THE 2024 STATE OF THE I
Page 32 and 33: 2024 STATE OF THE INDUSTRY REPORT J
Page 34 and 35: The Beauty of Infinite Possibilitie
Page 36 and 37: Introducing Clear Neutral In an age
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Page 42 and 43: Breaking Tradition | BRIDAL FEATURE
Page 46 and 47: Open Your Mind | BRIDAL FEATURE Hai
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Page 52 and 53: BUSINESS Strategy Are you too optim
Page 54 and 55: BUSINESS Selling What does quality
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Page 58 and 59: My Bench Sarah Lim Windfall Jewelle
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Jeweller – February 2024

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