Fine gold jewelry sales in the United States achieved an all-time high in the year 2001, topping $15.6 billion.

This increase of 2.1% follows the previous all-time record set for gold jewelry sales in 2000 (just topping $15 billion). It marks the 11th consecutive year of gold jewelry sales increases, according to the 14th annual U.S. gold jewelry sales summary conducted by Audits & Survey Worldwide and sponsored by the World Gold Council.

At least part of this surprisingly strong showing was attributed to a $7 million advertising campaign in U.S. fashion and lifestyle magazines. The campaign, which ran during the second half of 2001, was part of a worldwide ad campaign by the WGC.

In addition to an increase in overall retail sales, the survey reports an increase of actual gold jewelry units in 2001 of 4.2% overall.