Jewelry & Watch Manufacturing Industry Profile

The US jewelry manufacturing industry includes about 1,600 companies with combined annual revenue of about $8 billion. Major companies include Tiffany, AAC Group Holding (ArtCarved and Balfour), and Richline Group (Aurafin and Bel-Oro International). The industry is concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for 60 percent of industry revenue.

The industry includes companies primarily engaged in manufacturing, engraving, chasing, or etching jewelry and personal goods, such as compacts or cigarette cases, and stamping coins. Products are made with precious metal solid or precious metal clad jewelry, and can be with or without stones.

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Demand for jewelry is driven by personal income and world gold and silver prices. The profitability of individual companies depends on efficient operations and cost controls. Large companies have advantages in offering a broader product line to meet consumers' changing desires, and in efficient production and distribution operations. Small companies can compete effectively by offering individualized and unique product lines.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

Major products are gold and platinum jewelry (more than 60 percent of industry revenue); silver jewelry (more than 15 percent); and other jewelry, including other metal types, precious stones, and pearls (11 percent). In addition to jewelry, personal goods products, such as cigarette cases and lighters, vanity cases and compacts; trimmings for umbrellas and canes; and jewel settings and mountings are included.

Jewelry products have traditionally been unbranded. The basic manufacturing steps are designing, molding, casting, polishing, finishing, and ...