Whether you have your own jewelry store or sell at an online marketplace, being successful in the jewelry trade requires more than just talent. Creating beautiful pieces is the first step, but the most important part of a career in jewelry is showing the jewelry to others and making them happy enough to buy it. If you’re talented and can create a piece that makes people happy, you may find that doors open for you in the jewelry industry that you never imagined.
Many ways are available for entering the jewelry trade, and training programs at community colleges or vocational schools are often a good starting point. Jewelry stores and the department stores that carry jewelry are also excellent sources of entry. Summer or part-time jobs in these places can give you on-the-job experience. Jewelry manufacturing establishments in major production centers are often willing to take on trainees, as well.
If you want to work for yourself, start small by opening an e-commerce storefront or setting up a seller profile on eBay, Etsy, Zibbet or another online marketplace. When choosing an online platform to use, make sure you’re using one that is highly rated, secure and offers insurance for the jewelry you sell. Scammers are known to operate on these sites, and you don’t want to get ripped off.
Another option is to join a jewelry trade association. Membership has a number of benefits, including the ability to attend jewelry shows and seminars. A trade show is a good place to meet other members and find potential business partners. It’s also a great way to discover new trends in the jewelry industry and learn about current and future market opportunities.
Once you have a few pieces that you’re proud of, take them to the local jewelry stores and display them. Ask for feedback, and, if you can, let them know that you’re hoping to sell your jewelry through them. You never know who may have a buyer in mind for your piece, or who might recommend it to a friend.
When you’re ready to sell your jewelry, price it correctly. Consider the cost of all materials, your fee for labor and time (you shouldn’t be working for free!) as well as any fees that may apply to the sale. This will ensure that you’re selling your jewelry for a profit.
If you have a piece of loose, unmounted gem material that you think has the potential to become something spectacular, commission a mount for it. But be warned: based on auction results, it appears that mountings are generally less important than the gemstone itself for determining resale value. Unless the mounting is extremely Art Deco, a simple mounting probably won’t add much, if anything, to the value of the stone. However, a suite, or collection, of matched gems mounted together might increase the value. Likewise, a platinum ring with an intricate Art Deco style could increase the value of the piece significantly.
