With French consumers showing an increasing interest in secondhand jewelry, as revealed by several market studies, companies like Rivluxe offer a selection of pieces from major luxury brands.
Four out of 10 French people buy secondhand jewelry. This was revealed by a study conducted by Interencheres in partnership with YouGov. In response to this growing consumer interest in these products, websites like Rivluxe have jumped on this trend by offering a collection of pre-owned designer jewelry. In addition to this, the platform also features hidden gems from all eras, crafted in various metals (gold, silver, platinum, etc.) and set with precious or semi-precious stones.
Just as with clothing, it’s pieces from the big names in jewelry that attract enthusiasts. According to Interencheres and YouGov, 20% of them turn to the secondhand market in the hope of accessing luxury brands at a more affordable price.
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For example, Mauboussin’s “French Valentine” earrings in white gold and diamonds, which sell for 1,560 euros on the brand’s website, can be found for 930 euros at Rivluxe—about 40% less than the original price. In the ring category, an Hermès Eclipse ruban is listed at 325 euros on this site, while it sells for 465 euros new—a difference of just over 30%.
Luxury brands take on the pre-owned market
Aware of this growing trend, major luxury houses are also getting in on the pre-owned market. In 2022, Swiss watchmaker Rolex launched its “Rolex Certified Pre-Owned” program, which continues to allow customers to purchase pre-owned watches certified by the brand. Its goal? “To support the second life of its products already in circulation on the market, with the aim of preserving, maintaining, and guaranteeing what already exists.”
The program has expanded to include major department stores. Last year, Harrods, the flagship of London’s luxury scene, became a “Certified Pre-Owned” retailer. The section dedicated to this program offers an “exceptional selection of timepieces—from timeless classics to extremely rare pieces that are almost never available on the market.” A boon for collectors, since Rolex is one of the most sought-after brands on the market.
A growing trend through 2035
According to the World Gold Council, CO2 emissions generated annually by the gold market total 126 million metric tons, making this industry one of the most polluting in the world. For example, extracting 3 grams of gold requires 1,500 liters of water, 10 grams of mercury, and 100 grams of cyanide—a toxic cocktail for groundwater and soil.
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When asked by Stylist about this issue, Charlotte Schwartz, CEO of Rivluxe, proposed her alternative. “Why extract more gold and gemstones from mines when 95% of jewelry is sitting idle in safes ? Once restored, a piece of jewelry is like new and can thus be given a new lease on life,” she said.
In the wake of this growing awareness—and that of consumers—sales in the pre-owned luxury market in Europe could reach $26.5 billion by 2028, representing an annual growth rate of 8.11%, according to a report published by Research and Markets. For its part, market research firm Business Research Insights estimated that the global market for pre-owned luxury watches, valued at approximately $28.99 billion in 2026 (24.9 billion euros), is expected to reach $59.9 billion (51.6 billion euros) by 2035.
Read more > Second-hand: Hermès, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Rolex confirm their status as safe bets
Featured picture: © Rivluxe
