Online Jewelry Suppliers

how to sort through the mess
and get to the gems

© by Lesley Jones; all rights reserved

I remember making the first mistake in choosing between online jewelry suppliers: Trying to find one that has it all. It's a nice idea, and it would certainly be convenient and save shipping - but it's rarely the best choice.

It can take years of sorting through hundreds of online jewelry suppliers to find the ones that are right for you. The key here is "right for you". There are several things to consider:

• Is the supplier a retail or wholesale dealer?

  If they are retail, are their prices reasonable enough to allow you a sufficient profit margin on your finished pieces without having to overprice them?

  And if the supplier is wholesale, what are their requirements? Do they require a minimum quantity or dollar amount for each order? Can you afford those minimums?

  Always, always, always look for a discount schedule for purchases - and if one isn't listed, ASK! Many places don't list discount schedules, but do offer them. It can never hurt to ask, and if you offer upfront a potential dollar amount you're willing to spend, you never know what may come up.

• Is it a big company or a small one?

  Each of these has advantages. Generally some advantages of big companies are their guarantees and return policies, and usually they can afford to cover the losses if your package is lost or stolen. Big companies might also have a wider variety of stock.

  However, I personally prefer small companies. Why? Because I like personal service. Plain and simple. I want to be able to make requests or specify my needs and have a reply from a person who knows me.

  You also want to build a relationship of trust with your online jewelry suppliers. You want to know that they are concerned enough about your business that they give you the highest quality components possible for your dollar. Often some of the smaller guys can have better pricing due to a very limited overhead cost.

• What is the shipping location, method, and cost?

  This is important because shipping these days can really hike up your bill. I buy a lot from overseas, and I always have to consider the high cost of shipping when I calculate my cost for the item to ensure that I still have a good value.

  Also, what shipping method do they use? How long will it take for your order to get to you? I often have secondary suppliers for things in case I need a quick turnaround.

The real key to finding good suppliers is to network, network, and network some more. Get recommendations from other jewelry artists. Listen to their stories. See if the product fits your needs. Compare prices. Compare minimum order quantities.

Start developing relationships with these online jewelry suppliers, and you'll eventually fall into your own set of suppliers that suit your needs.

Remember, though:

• cheaper is not always better
  
• customer service is priceless
  
• consider all costs (items, shipping, customs, fees) before making your choice.

There's a lot of trial and error in purchasing jewelry supplies online, and there are trade-offs. It pays to do a little research before your next purchase.

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