The Right Bead

a matter of choice for jewelry designers

© by Lynne Richardson; all rights reserved

One of the greatest things about a career as a jewelry designer is that you are in control! It's up to you to choose the materials you will use in your designs. However, sometimes choosing the right bead is not a simple thing.

Who among us has not wondered whether we should devote all our resources to creating jewelry exclusively from high quality, semi-precious gemstones? After all, it takes just as long to make a glass bead necklace as it does to make one from gemstones, and the gemstone necklace will fetch a higher price.

While this is not a new topic, it's a common dilemma for beginning jewelry designers with limited budgets who have not yet developed a reliable customer base.

There is definitely a market for the gemstone jewelry; however, there is possibly an even larger market for high quality designer jewelry made from less expensive materials. Jewelry designers just starting out might do well to hone their skills and develop their individual styles using glass, crystal, or earthy stones such as jasper, wood, or bone. Bali beads and toggles will add a quality touch to any design and distinguish it from the usual mall jewelry.

I believe that concentrating on clever designs, color combinations and current trends can keep the creators of low- to medium-priced jewelry busy filling orders and selling out at home parties.

This belief was further enhanced by a visit with my favorite aunt, who, in her seventies, still reads Vogue magazine and attends fashion shows. Although she has acquired an enviable collection of fine jewelry over the years, she wears costume jewelry as well. Her philosophy is, "Who cares if it's real? If it looks good, buy it." (She is also a great fan of Mary Frances purses, but if she spies a great knockoff, it goes home with her.)

Based on observation and conversations with women who buy a lot of jewelry, I'm convinced that in most cases, the decision to buy jewelry is based on looks alone. To be sure, there are times when a customer wants something really special and is more than willing to shell out the bucks for a pair of blue topaz earrings or a spectacular amethyst and pearl necklace - but a savvy designer can do wonders with crystal or Czech glass, and if the jewelry pleases the eye, it will sell.

Once a jewelry designer has established a reputation and has some customers out there wearing the jewelry and singing his/her praises, the designer can gradually upgrade materials if desired.

Some designers prefer working with one type of bead over another, while others find it more interesting and financially rewarding to offer a diverse array of styles and prices. These are decisions the designer will make over time as experience and insight into the targeted market grow.

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