Kay Jewelers vs Zales:Which is more popular?
In September 2026, Kay Jewelers had more branded searches than Zales among jewelry retailers in the United States. Kay Jewelers had about 1 million branded searches, while Zales had 368,000. Kay Jewelers made up 34.7% of all jewelry retailer searches we track, and Zales accounted for 12.8%. When we asked ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews about jewelry retailers, Kay Jewelers appeared in one of the four answers and Zales in none.
Who do people search for more?
Kay Jewelers, about 3 searches for every 1 for Zales
Who does AI mention more?
Kay Jewelers, mentioned in 1 of 4 answers, Zales in 0
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Top jewelry retailers in ChatGPT and Google AI Overviews
In three ChatGPT questions and one Google AI Overview, Kay Jewelers was mentioned in one out of four: not in any of the three ChatGPT answers, but in the Google AI Overview. Zales did not appear in any of the four answers.
Most recommended by AI
Brands get a higher ranking if they are mentioned earlier in the answers.
Mentioned by AI
Each dot is one answer, filled in when that answer mentions the brand.
Tiffany & Co.3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Brilliant Earth3 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Blue Nile3 of 4Named in 3 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Rare Carat2 of 4Named in 2 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers- Kay Jewelers1 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 1 of 1 Google answers
Zales0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Jared0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
Helzberg Diamonds0 of 4Named in 0 of 3 ChatGPT answersNamed in 0 of 1 Google answers
See every answer about jewelry retailers
4 answers
Asked ChatGPT
“Where should I buy an engagement ring in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“What are the best jewelry stores in the US?”
Asked ChatGPT
“Which jewelry store in the US has the best value on diamonds?”
Searched Google, AI Overview
“jewelry stores”
Google showed no AI Overview for this search.
Searched Google, AI Overview
“engagement rings”
Not named in any answer:
Brands are shown in the order each answer named them. The survey took place in United States on October 22, 2026.
Is Kay Jewelers or Zales more popular in search?
This chart shows how often people search Google for Kay Jewelers and Zales by name. Each line represents a brand's share of searches for all eight jewelry retailers we track, month by month, from searches in United States.
Share of searches by month for Kay Jewelers, Zales. The figures are in the table below the chart.
View monthly share of searches table
| Month | Kay Jewelers | Tiffany & Co. | Zales | Brilliant Earth | Jared | Blue Nile | Helzberg Diamonds | Rare Carat |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Oct 2025 | 38.5% | 17.4% | 14.2% | 9.5% | 7.8% | 5.2% | 5% | 2.3% |
| Nov 2025 | 38.6% | 17.4% | 17.4% | 7.8% | 6.4% | 5.2% | 5.4% | 1.9% |
| Dec 2025 | 44.2% | 16.1% | 16.1% | 5.9% | 7.3% | 4% | 5% | 1.5% |
| Jan 2026 | 39% | 17.5% | 14.3% | 9.6% | 7.8% | 4.3% | 5.1% | 2.4% |
| Feb 2026 | 41.2% | 15.1% | 15.1% | 8.3% | 8.3% | 4.5% | 5.4% | 2% |
| Mar 2026 | 39.1% | 17.6% | 14.4% | 9.6% | 6.4% | 5.3% | 5.1% | 2.4% |
| Apr 2026 | 36.5% | 20.1% | 16.4% | 9% | 6% | 4.9% | 4.8% | 2.2% |
| May 2026 | 40% | 18% | 14.7% | 9.8% | 6.6% | 4.4% | 4.6% | 2% |
| Jun 2026 | 34.3% | 18.9% | 15.4% | 10.3% | 8.4% | 4.6% | 5.5% | 2.5% |
| Jul 2026 | 34% | 18.7% | 15.3% | 10.2% | 8.4% | 5.6% | 5.4% | 2.5% |
| Aug 2026 | 33.8% | 18.6% | 15.2% | 10.2% | 8.3% | 5.6% | 5.4% | 3.1% |
| Sep 2026 | 34.7% | 19.1% | 12.8% | 10.5% | 8.5% | 5.7% | 5.5% | 3.1% |
How has the Kay Jewelers and Zales comparison changed over the last 12 months?
3 findings
- Kay Jewelers was ahead of Zales in every measured month of the 12 months ending September 2026.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Kay Jewelers’ share of searches among jewelry retailers in the United States moved from 38.5% to 34.7%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 1.2M to 1M.
- Across the 12 months ending September 2026, Zales’ share of searches among jewelry retailers in the United States moved from 14.2% to 12.8%, and its estimated monthly branded searches moved from 450K to 368K.
How did search popularity change for United States jewelry retailers in September 2026?
2 changes
In September 2026, Kay Jewelers gained share of searches among jewelry retailers in the United States, from 33.8% to 34.7%.
In September 2026, Zales lost share of searches among jewelry retailers in the United States, from 15.2% to 12.8%.
How are branded searches counted?
3 search terms
Brandwave collects information about searches that people make online using Kay Jewelers’ and Zales’ names. When viewed over time, estimated search volumes for these branded terms can be used to understand whether interest in the brands is growing, holding steady, or fading.
Kay Jewelers
2 branded search terms
- kay jewelers
- kay jewelry
Zales
1 branded search term
- zales
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