America’s Golden Age

Those watching the inauguration of President Trump this past week witnessed not only the victory of the Comeback Kid—but his declaration that we have now entered the Golden Age of America.

That pronouncement was quickly snapped up by media outlets around the globe. The Wall Street Journal, MSN, the AP, The Atlantic, Barron’s, you name them—all reverberated with Trump’s decree that “the Golden Age of America begins right now.”

Credit: Reuters

If the inauguration festivities needed additional proof of this buoyant mindset — it was quickly answered by the relaxed effervescence of its attendees and punctuated with the lavish high jewelry on display.


Technology Up Front

Tech billionaires stood shoulder to shoulder in front row positions to this historic event. Each one dropped at least a cool $1M to claim their pride-of-place seating as the 47th American president was sworn in.


Credit: Barron’s


Trump worked the room, confidently shaking hands with Apple CEO Tim Cook before moving on to Elon Musk, Mark Zuckerberg, Jeff Bezos, Google co-founder Sergei Brin, and Google’s CEO, Sundar Pinchai.

Tik Tok CEO Shou Zi Chew, while seated a bit farther back did not go unnoticed.

After Trump’s spectacular victory and Biden’s woeful exit, America is once again radiant and re-energized with new self-confidence.


My Perspective

In contrast to many of my jewelry colleagues, I’m not looking back at last year’s sales records. Instead I’m facing forward to a bright future for America and India—the two super-powers of the diamond trade.

The fresh wave of optimism we’re experiencing will have a spillover effect with jewelry sales on a global scale.  We can all agree that a vibrant jewelry landscape is predominantly governed by perception and hopes, alluding to a brighter future.


Waking the Tiger

For some time now, America has been a sleeping tiger who is just now waking up with a roar – showing its powerful fangs. The inauguration ceremony with strategic, prominent seating of special invitees indicates how important these tech giants are for upcoming plans that President Trump has for America.

Technology, especially AI, space exploration, and telecommunications will dominate future policies. The Big Fang executives standing behind the President appear to be part of his extended family now.

Priscilla Chan (Mrs. Zuckerberg) wore a Bvlgari multi-gemstone statement necklace, adding effortless glamour to her appearance. Husband Mark Zuckerberg shared the stunning photo on Instagram, captioning it, “Optimistic and celebrating.

Ivanka Trump accented her haute couture Givenchy gown with $1.1M dollars’ worth of shimmering diamonds from Lev Leviev.  Leviev president and CEO Chagit Leviev told Business Insider, "These diamond fine jewelry pieces made the perfect finishing touches to complete her iconic inauguration looks."


The entire Trump family exudes an air of glamour and optimism, proving that subdued elegance is not in vogue during this Golden Age of America.

The Direction for Diamonds

It certainly appears that America had made a powerful turn to the right with energy and self-confidence. Reports on last year’s sales at Signet showed mixed results. Former CEO Virginia Drosos retired in November 2024 after years at the helm. The new CEO, J.K. Symancyk looks to change its course back to pushing more LGDs.

But the industry is at a crossroads between promoting luxury, high end goods or cheap imitation LGD jewelry with its big margins. Obviously the LGD shortcut will produce only short term results before quickly backfiring when consumers realize they’ve been taken for a ride.

But the luxury end of the market does indeed have an optimistic forecast.

The luxury jewelry market is poised for significant growth in 2025, driven by evolving consumer preferences and regional market dynamics. According to market data gleaner Statista, the global luxury jewelry market is projected to generate revenues of approximately $90.20B in 2025, with an expected annual growth rate of 5.56% from 2025 to 2029. 


Regional Insights

United States: The U.S. market is experiencing robust growth, with Swiss-based luxury goods holder Richemont reporting a 22% increase in sales in the Americas during Q3 2024. This surge is attributed to strong local demand and increased tourist spending. 

 
India Sparkles Too

While China has lost its sparkle, India jumped to the second largest jewelry market in the world.
India’s jewelry retail sector soared to $80B in 2023-24 from $50B just 6 years ago.

Wedding jewelry is the main engine propelling this growth in India.

These images reveal the boost to Indian wedding jewelry on the other side of the globe.

The Pooja (Blessing Ceremony) at Anant Ambani’s Wedding with Kim Kardashian and his sister Isha Ambani

Did They Party!

Attending a sumptuous three-day weekend celebration in July 2024, Kim Kardashian wore exclusively Lorraine Schwartz jewelry. The bib-style pearl and diamond neckpiece featured 170-carats of diamonds, including the pear-shaped drops. Her earrings boasted 62-carats of pearl and briolette shaped diamonds.

Kardashian’s bindi headpiece was created with an 8-carat pear-shaped diamond drop, while her Nath (nose} jewels shimmered in an array of vintage cut cushion-shaped diamonds totaling 70-carats.

This represented just a sampling of the priceless jewels on display at Indian billionaire Anant Ambai’s summer wedding.

The mother of the groom, Nita Ambani drips in emeralds at son Anant Ambani’s wedding.


Nita also wore a 100-carat yellow diamond necklace complete with floating solitaire diamonds in her hair.

The extravagant display of wealth and India’s adoration of jewelry has had an enormous effect on bridal jewelry worn throughout India since Ambani’s wedding of the year.


How We’ll Celebrate Our Golden Age

With the dawn of the Golden Age of America underway, the entire luxury sector should brace itself for more spending on the part of Americans and those around the globe.

There is no better time than now to collect and wear really fine jewelry.


And by the way, optimism looks very good on you, too.


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