A jewelry maker can make a great living by creating beautiful pieces. But the reality is that the cost of materials can quickly add up. And that’s not even considering the labor and shipping fees involved.
One of the most popular ways to save on your jewelry costs is to trade. The process is fairly simple. You’ll need to find a buyer who is interested in your item and is willing to pay for it. This can be done online by listing your jewelry on sites like Craigslist or Ebay. Or by meeting a local person who wants to purchase your items in person. In most cases, you’ll get a similar amount as if you sold to your local jeweler.
However, trading your jewelry can be risky because it can be difficult to know exactly what you’re getting for your piece. Many buyers may not be as honest with you as they should be or may end up paying you less than what your piece is actually worth.
The good news is that if you’re careful, you can get the most out of your jewelry trade. For example, if you have a piece of jewelry that is made of precious metals and diamonds, it will probably be worth more if you sell it as a finished piece than if you just sell the metals and gems for scrap value.
Another option is to sell your jewelry through a jewelry trade-in program at a jeweler. Normally, when jewelers do this, they will offer you the resale value of your jewelry in store credit that you can use to purchase another new piece. However, you should be aware that most jewelers will also charge you full price for the new piece you’re buying. So in the end, you’re not really getting a bargain at all.
For the most accurate jewelry valuation, it’s best to contact a trusted jeweler or gemologist. A reputable jeweler or gemologist will be able to tell you how much your jewelry is really worth based on its intrinsic metal and gemstone values. In addition, they can help you determine if your piece is a classic or vintage and how that will affect its overall value.
Whether you’re a professional jewelry designer or a hobbyist, getting your pieces out to the public is the first step towards building a loyal following. It’s important to develop a marketing strategy and choose the right website, social media channels and other tools to help you reach your customers.
For jewelry makers, it’s essential to have a consolidated technology stack that includes a website, payment processor and backend systems. Using this technology will enable you to manage your business more efficiently and provide the best possible experience for your customers. To learn more about how to build a successful jewelry business, check out our comprehensive Jewelry Business Guides. And to connect with a community of fellow jewelry professionals, join Polygon. Our community features forums, discussions, exclusive events and more.
