How To Start A Jewelry Business

By Savannah Runge

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If you have a knack for creative design and beauty, turning precious metals, wires, gemstones, crystals and beads into beautiful wearable artwork, you may have what it takes to start a jewelry business. Business savvy will always be helpful in any business operation.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a certified gemologist, silversmith, or a weekend crafter with a side business in beaded creations. If you can accurately gauge the market for what your customers want to buy, create unique stand out pieces that satisfy a niche market, and deliver a high quality product you might have a future as a jeweler.

How Big Is The Jewelry Industry?

McKinsey & Company reported in 2014 that global revenue from the jewelry industry exceeds $211 billion every year and is growing by 5 to 6 percent per year. They expect consumer demand to push the industry to more than $356 billion by 2020.

Why Starting A Jewelry Business Now Is A Good Idea

McKinsey’s predictions of a growing jewelry market makes it a good time to get into the industry – if you can find your niche and deliver a quality product.

Although demand for jewelry waxes and wanes with the economy, it is now in a growth phase that will drive profits for several years to come.

Fine jewelry works on a slower timeline for product development. However, the growing demand for fast fashion has pushed the fashion jewelry industry to keep up with the ever changing trends.

If you can develop an alert and responsive business model that delivers what the customer wants today on a fast and flexible timeline, the results of your efforts could be quite lucrative.

Jewelry Business Facts

Here are some facts and figures about the jewelry business you should consider:

Jewelry business startup costs

Much depends on the type of business. A home jewelry business that manufactures all its own inventory can start up for as little as $30 a week in material costs. A brick-and-mortar store will cost more to rent and maintain the overhead costs during the startup phase. BPlans estimates approximately $17K.

How much do jewelers make?

$36,870 annually or $17.73 per hour, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Payscale.com reports a range of $15.28 to $34.36 per hour or $21,805 to $55,411 per year.

How much do jewelry stores charge?

The Jewelry Making Journal recommends  a base price formula: (4 x cost of materials and packaging) + labor costs. Then add 10% of the total to cover your overhead. Typical labor charges are $20-$30 per hour. You can adjust the labor charges for time consuming pieces to avoid pricing the piece out of the range of your customer’s pocketbooks.

How do jewelry stores find customers?

Craft fairs, farmer’s markets, word of mouth, home parties, consignment shops, direct sales to merchants; print, radio and TV ads, online stores such as Etsy or eBay, social media and a professional website.

What skills are required?

The ability to establish a brand for your jewelry quickly and effectively; flexibility and the ability to recognize and adapt to constantly changing market trends; supply chain collaboration.

What do I need to operate a jewelry business?

A cash flow forecast, a business license and legal structure, a business bank account and tax plan, a bookkeeping system, work, showcase and storage space, inventory or a design collection, tools for making and/or repairing jewelry, active social media accounts and a professional website.

Jewelry Business Ideas

Do you make Homemade and Custom pieces?

Or do you focus on more ornate and pricier items? 

Struggling with what to name your jewelry business, here are a few ideas:

SunKissed Jewelry The Treasure Chest
Dazzling Discoveries Jelly’s Jewels
A Strand Above Millie’s Masterpieces
Bead it Up Gold ‘N Glow
Sparkles and Spirits Make a Memory
Touch Her Heart Infinite Illuminations
Silverstone Designs Galleria of Shine
Phoenix Jewels Magic Oasis

Youtube Videos

Related Content

Flourish & Thrive Academy: The 12 Biggest Mistakes Jewelry Designers Make in Business

How to Start a Jewelry Business [YouTube]

Shopify: Jewelry Store Name Generator

Jewelry Making Journal: Choosing a Jewelry Business Name

Sell Your Jewelry: How to Start a Jewelry Business and Make Money Selling Jewelry at Boutiques, Fairs, Trunk Shows, and Etsy by Stacy Vander Pol

How to Start a Home-Based Jewelry Making Business: Turn your passion into profit by Maire Loughran

Jewelry Making Journal

National Jeweler

Jewellry Business

Jewelry Business Advisor

JCK Online

Modern Jeweler

Love & Pieces: 12 Jewelry Bloggers You Want to Follow

MagnetPost: 10 Jewelry Blog Ideas to Dazzle Potential Customers

Jewelers of America: Jewelry Careers Guide

Gemological Institute of America: Professional Education

Auntie’s Beads: Jewelry Pricing Calculator

Sterling Reputation: An Easy Guide to Pricing Jewelry for Retailers

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers

Payscale.com: Jeweler Salary

Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wages: Jewelers and Precious Stone and Metal Workers

Entrepreneur: How to Start a Jewelry Business

Jewelry Making Journal: Start a Jewelry Business

Beading Daily: 5 Things to Know Before You Start Your Jewelry Business

Inc.: How to Start a Jewelry Making Business

Design Trust: Ten Steps to Setting Up a Jewellry Business

McKinsey & Company: A Multi-Faceted Future: The Jewelry Industry in 2020

Shield Funding: The Cost of Inventory to Start a Jewelry Business

BPlans: Custom Jewelry Business Plan

Jewelry Making Journal: Jewelry Pricing Formula

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