According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, prices for jewelry and watches are 49.73% higher in 2026 versus 1998 (a $49.73 difference in value).
Between 1998 and 2026:Jewelry and watches experienced an average inflation rate of 1.45% per year. In other words, jewelry and watches costing $100 in the year 1998 would cost $149.73 in 2026 for an equivalent purchase. Compared to the overall inflation rate of 2.50% during this same period, inflation for jewelry and watches was lower.
In the year 1998: Pricing changed by -2.06%, which is significantly below the average yearly change for jewelry and watches during the 1998-2026 time period. Compared to inflation for all items in 1998 (1.55%), inflation for jewelry and watches was much lower.
Below are calculations of equivalent buying power for Jewelry and watches, over time, for $100 beginning in 1998. Each of the amounts below is equivalent in terms of what it could buy at the time:
| Year | USD Value | Inflation Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 1998 | $100.00 | -2.06% |
| 1999 | $98.79 | -1.21% |
| 2000 | $96.21 | -2.61% |
| 2001 | $96.16 | -0.05% |
| 2002 | $93.59 | -2.67% |
| 2003 | $90.39 | -3.41% |
| 2004 | $90.93 | 0.59% |
| 2005 | $89.61 | -1.45% |
| 2006 | $91.79 | 2.43% |
| 2007 | $96.30 | 4.91% |
| 2008 | $102.92 | 6.88% |
| 2009 | $104.79 | 1.82% |
| 2010 | $107.02 | 2.14% |
| 2011 | $116.03 | 8.41% |
| 2012 | $117.55 | 1.31% |
| 2013 | $118.14 | 0.51% |
| 2014 | $114.88 | -2.76% |
| 2015 | $112.40 | -2.16% |
| 2016 | $118.75 | 5.65% |
| 2017 | $122.33 | 3.02% |
| 2018 | $121.31 | -0.84% |
| 2019 | $120.44 | -0.72% |
| 2020 | $119.71 | -0.60% |
| 2021 | $128.69 | 7.50% |
| 2022 | $132.05 | 2.61% |
| 2023 | $138.81 | 5.12% |
| 2024 | $139.87 | 0.76% |
| 2025 | $143.39 | 2.52% |
| 2026 | $149.73 | 4.42%* |
* Not final. See inflation summary for latest details.
** Extended periods of 0% inflation usually indicate incomplete underlying data. This can manifest as a sharp increase in inflation later on.
Raw Consumer Price Index data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics for Jewelry and watches:
| Year | 1986 | 1987 | 1988 | 1989 | 1990 | 1991 | 1992 | 1993 | 1994 | 1995 | 1996 | 1997 | 1998 | 1999 | 2000 | 2001 | 2002 | 2003 | 2004 | 2005 | 2006 | 2007 | 2008 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 |
| CPI | 100.000 | 106.225 | 114.258 | 121.000 | 130.975 | 137.508 | 142.908 | 146.492 | 151.033 | 152.575 | 149.642 | 145.367 | 142.367 | 140.650 | 136.975 | 136.900 | 133.242 | 128.692 | 129.450 | 127.575 | 130.675 | 137.092 | 146.522 | 149.181 | 152.367 | 165.185 | 167.348 | 168.198 | 163.550 | 160.013 | 169.056 | 174.157 | 172.700 | 171.463 | 170.431 | 183.213 | 187.996 | 197.621 | 199.128 | 204.145 | 213.165 |