Richemont sales unexpectedly jumped by a double-digit percentage during the holiday shopping season as consumers splurged on Cartier jewelry, lifting shares across the luxury-goods sector on hopes of a rebound.

The struggling European luxury-goods sector roared to life Thursday after Richemont reported its highest-ever quarterly sales as it blew by analyst estimates.

Richemont reported better-than-expected sales, up 10% compared with the prior-year period, in the midst of a downward trend in demand for luxury goods that is weighing on most high-end brands.

Richemont , the owner of Cartier jewellery, on Thursday fuelled hopes of a revival for the beaten down luxury goods industry, with end-of-year sales that exceeded expectations, sending shares higher across the sector.