(IDEX Online) - Seven out of 10 US jewelers reported sales in February were the same or better than the same month last year. That's according to a sample of 177 retailers who were asked to assess sales for the month by the Instore magazine. Fourteen per cent said they'd enjoyed an increase of more than a quarter.Another 28 per cent said they'd seen some increase, and 27 per cent reported no change. Twenty-three per cent said sales were down, and another eight per cent said sales were down by 25 per cent or more.Custom-designed pieces and lab-grown diamonds continue to be popular, said the report.Brand most mentioned as selling were Shy Creation, Gabriel & Co. and Stuller."Custom is crazy so far this year," said one jeweler. "We're seeing a ton of people come in with inherited pieces, wanting to rework them into new designs."Another said: "Bridal was strong. We started a clearance case for the first time in both stores and it did very well."Pic courtesy Shy Creations