The internet is set to provide a major boost to the jewellery market according to new market research compiled by Unity Marketing.

According to the findings of a series of surveys the web continues to deliver high-end products such as jewellery to consumers who would not normally shop for them.

Indeed, the internet was named by 44 per cent of luxury consumers in Unity's poll as very or somewhat important, far ahead of traditional advertising through newspaper or television.

'Today's luxury market is not defined by high income or extraordinary wealth. After all, Wal-Mart is [America's] leading retailer of jewellery, the epitome of a luxury product,' said Pam Danziger, president of Unity Marketing.

Now Ms Danziger believes there will be significant generational market shifts over the next decade or two, with baby-boomers and what she terms 'empty-nesters', creating new demand for luxury items.

'Empty-nesting consumers are at their peak in earnings while they no longer have to stretch the family budget across the demands of growing children. That means they have lots of discretionary money to spend on personal luxuries - so the prospects for marketers of jewellery are particularly bright,' concluded Ms Danziger.