Samuels Jewelers announced that its comp-store sales for the nine-week holiday season jumped 8.4 percent—the highest number so far reported by any jewelry chain.

December comps increased 11.2 percent, the company said.

“We had a great holiday season,” Michael Feinman, chief operating officer of Samuels’ owner Gitanjali USA, tells JCK. “We felt really confident about the merchandising that we put in place, and the team really stepped it up from an execution standpoint.”

Feinman credited the jump on the introduction of new Italian brands Giantti and Porrati, as well as its new 97-facet brilliant fire diamond.

Overall, he says, Samuels has seen an 18 percent comp sales gain over the last two years.

The sales results incorporate all five brands owned by Gitanjali USA: Andrews Jewelers, Rogers Jewelers, Samuels Jewelers, Samuels Diamonds, and Schubach Jewelers. The company owns 104 stores in 22 states.

JCK