luxury / Jewellery

As leather goods lose their cool amid rising prices and quality concerns, fine jewelry is emerging as luxury’s shining star.

Brands including Chopard and Messika are increasingly open about their reliance on Indian gemstone cutters. In addition to lower costs, the country boasts pedigreed suppliers and craftspeople well-versed in traditional techniques.

The German luxury e-tailer more than doubled its adjusted earnings in its second fiscal quarter that ended in December, providing a glimpse into how it will fare once its deal to acquire its competitor, Yoox-Net-a-Porter, is approved.

LVMH reported better-than-expected sales growth in the fourth quarter, but its performance lagged behind rivals like Richemont and Burberry. A Taylor Swift tie-up and nostalgic collaborations with Japanese artist Takashi Murakami may give the group a boost, writes Andrea Felsted.

By backing up casual designs and edgy, celebrity-fronted campaigns with deep-rooted diamond industry expertise, Messika has built a global jewellery empire. Husband and wife duo Valérie Messika and CEO Jean-Baptiste Sassine share their vision for the brand’s 20th anniversary year and beyond.

The luxury industry was under pressure in 2024 as customers pulled back on high-end purchases. Brands from Chanel to Valentino to Fendi changed their creative lineups, hoping to jump-start demand. But the struggles at Gucci and Burberry show how tricky executing a designer relaunch can be.

At the inaugural Joya fair in Monaco last week, two former art gallerists aimed to defy luxury’s current malaise with avant-garde jewellery propositions sold with a curated, high-culture approach.

A campaign fronted by Ariana Grande is the Austrian crystal maker’s latest effort to build on sales momentum in a slowing market: Revenue grew 4.5 percent in the first half. Swarovski plans to keep blending the codes of luxury and value, while spotlighting its message of ‘joyful extravagance’ to a wider audience, CEO Alexis Nasard says.