10 Questions You Should to Know about fashion jewelry supplies

Whether you’re thinking about getting yourself a little something special or want to find the perfect gift for a friend’s upcoming birthday, there are a lot of factors you always need to consider when it comes to buying jewelry. If you don’t have this information, you run the serious risk of encountering a wide array of issues. What if the ring you bought doesn’t fit? What if someone is allergic to the metal of the necklace you buy? What if the jewelry has the wrong gemstone for someone’s birthday?

These problems and more can take the excitement and joy out of a gift, turning it into a mild disappointment at best or a chore at the worst. Below, our artisan jewelry experts at LaCkore Couture explore the top five things you should always know before buying a new piece of jewelry.

Related: The 4 C’s of Diamond Grading and How it Impacts Cost

A Guide to Buying Jewelry: 5 Things You Need to Know

Honestly, we could probably write a list of more than 50 different things you arguably should know before spending any of your hard-earned money on a new piece of jewelry to avoid any potential issues. Sadly, we don’t have the room to cover everything in one short article. Instead, we’ll focus on the five most essential bits of info you should always have when purchasing jewelry.

1. 

The Right Ring Size

Whether you’re buying a new ring for yourself, as a present for a friend, or something else, you always want to ensure you know the ring size of the person who will wear it. This is not something you should ever guess blindly, especially if the ring is a gift for a significant event like an anniversary. If the ring doesn’t fit, it can easily take all of the excitement out of the moment. Additionally, you or the person you give the ring to will need to go through the hassle of getting the ring resized, which can also cost a lot of money.

You should always get the appropriate ring measurement before buying. Thankfully, there are three easy ways to do this;

• Have a jeweler measure a person’s finger or an existing ring

• Measure a person’s finger with a

  ring sizer tool

• Use a

  ring sizer mobile app

  to measure an existing ring yourself

Related: Sterling Silver Vs. White Gold: Which is Right For You?

2. 

The Metal The Jewelry is Made From

Some people are highly allergic to specific types of metal. Because of this, it's a good idea to figure out what kind of metal a new jewelry piece is made of before purchasing it so you can ensure it won’t cause an adverse reaction for whoever wears it. It’s crucial to determine whether the piece contains nickel, a standard alloy used in jewelry. Almost anyone can develop skin irritations from nickel, so you’ll want to double-check your new piece doesn’t contain any.

Are you looking to expand your jewelry collection with a few unique pieces that can help highlight your taste and style? Our artisan jewelry-making experts at LaCkore Couture are proud to offer a wide selection of unique pieces that will help add something special to your outfit today!

3.

Whether The Jewelry is Conflict-Free

Sadly, there’s a lot of corruption and exploitation of labor in the realm of jewelry creation, especially when it comes to certain precious gemstones, like diamonds. It’s always a good idea to ensure that you’re buying conflict-free stones from legitimate sellers who obtained their materials via methods in line with the international Kimberley Process. Doing this will help ensure you’re not inadvertently supporting rebels, terrorist groups, or large companies who actively exploit labor from impoverished communities.

4.

Price Comparisons

When purchasing jewelry, one thing that’s important to remember is never to buy the first thing you see. Look at different stores and brands, and don’t be afraid to shop around to find a good deal. Compare the prices of pieces from multiple jewelers, and you’ll likely find the same or similar pieces for less money, especially if you’re shopping online. Jewelry retailers who sell their goods on the internet typically offer better deals because they don’t have the same overheads as in-person shops.

5.

Personal Preferences for Gems and Metals

Suppose you’re buying jewelry as a gift for someone else. In that case, it’s generally a good idea to get a sense of their personal preferences regarding the metal and gemstones of their favorite jewelry. For example, do they prefer silver, gold, or platinum? Do they prefer diamonds, rubies, emeralds, or other precious stones? Do they have a particular fondness for their birthstone? If so, what is their birthstone?

These are all excellent questions to consider, and it may be worth asking the person directly to ensure you’re getting them a new accessory that they like and will want to wear. It may take some of the surprise out of the gift, but it’s better than wasting money on something they don’t like.

Related: What is 925 Sterling Silver, and How Do You Recognise it?

6. BRAND LOYALTY

Some people are extremely loyal to one particular brand. The question is- is this loyalty usually worth it? Often, the answer is maybe. There are some well-known brands like Tiffany’s or Carter’s that spend an enormous about of time, money, and effort to create a reputation for their jewelry. They want to be known as high-quality and fashionable, but are they really higher quality than a less expensive store like Zales?

Usually, the answer is no. Buying a silver bracelet or gold ring from Tiffany’s can cost 80% more than buying the same piece of jewelry from a less expensive store. However, there are some instances where brand loyalty is worth it.

Certain companies, such as Agmes or Washed Ashore only produce cruelty-free, responsibly sourced, and environmentally friendly jewelry. If those things are important to you or the person you’re buying for, then it’s important to honor their brand loyalty.

7. SHOP WITH A TRUSTED FRIEND

Shopping for jewelry can be an exciting time, but if you’re prone to impulse buying or want a second pair of eyes, then you should make sure to bring a trusted friend along for the trip.

Sometimes it’s challenging to see ourselves the way others see us. Our eyes can play tricks on us and convince us that the beaded necklace we’ve tried on is going to start a new trend. Bringing along a trusted friend can help prevent you from making an impulse buy that you’ll regret down the road.

Another reason to bring along a trusted friend is to have someone advocate for you. Not all jewelers are reputable, and if you’re nervous about being sweet-talked into buying something you’re not positive you’ll love, then having a little backup will help!

8. DON’T COUNT PEARLS OUT

Pearls don’t have the best reputation. Many people shy away from pearls because they believe they look gaudy, but this isn’t always the case! Pearls come in many different sizes and can be styled in a variety of ways. 

A gorgeous pair of queen pearl earrings would make a perfect gift or an excellent treat for yourself. They’ll still draw your friend’s eye without overpowering your outfit or accessories. 

If you’re feeling hesitant about trying out some pearl jewelry, then make sure you bring a friend along. They can help boost your confidence and show you just how well you pull those pearl earrings off!

Related: How to Clean Your Pearls: Gently and Effectively!

9. SILVER IS ALWAYS IN

Different types of jewelry tend to fall in and out of style throughout the years. One year, it may seem as though everyone is obsessed with gold, and the next, they’ll have moved on to pearlescent metals. 

Silver, however, never goes out of style. Regardless of the occasion or your other accessories, you can rely on silver to add a touch of elegance to your ensemble. So, when in doubt, buy something silver!

10. REAL GEMS REALLY MAKE A DIFFERENCE

If your goal is to find something stylish and elegant, then you need to find real gems. While fakes are going to be easier to find and come with a smaller price tag, they won’t have the same effect as real gems. 

Make sure you buy through a reputable jeweler. They can offer you a certificate of authenticity so the true value of your diamond bracelet will never be in question.

Final Factors to Consider Before Buying New Jewelry

Our artisan jewelry-making experts at LaCkore Couture sincerely hope that the five tips above will help you select and purchase an excellent new piece of jewelry without encountering any commonly faced issues. Please consider exploring our selection of other educational jewelry resources and our shop full of various hand-crafted necklaces, rings, bracelets, and earrings! We’re proud to provide our customers with a wide array of unique and gorgeous pieces that they won’t find anywhere else.

There are many things you should know and different factors you should consider before buying new jewelry, especially online! Thankfully, our jewelry artisans at LaCkore Couture are here to help make the process easier, and ensure that you’ll be satisfied with all of your future jewelry purchases!

Why should you buy from a wholesale jewelry supply store?

Before we answer this question, consider this. Did you pick up a new skill while staying at home during the COVID-19 pandemic?

You’re not alone: a lot of people took up new skills like baking, jewelry-making, and crafting to pass the time while in quarantine. Many of these people took their new skills and turned them into profit. As a result, there has been a small business boom in the past 15+ months.

If you’ve dreamed of selling your handmade jewelry, now is the time to make that dream a reality. Even if you aren’t selling your creations and simply want to make jewelry for yourself, you can save money when you shop at a wholesale jewelry supply shop. 

In this article, we tell you what you need to know when you buy from a wholesale jewelry supplier. 

Benefits of Buying Wholesale Jewelry Supply

Before you can make your small jewelry business dream a reality, you need to buy supplies. Jewlery-making supplies can be expensive, forcing you to charge more for your finished product.

Shopping wholesale allows you to lower the costs of your products and therefore lower the costs of running your jewelry business. It would be more expensive for you to go to your local craft store and buy twenty strands of beads than it would if you bought those same beads in bulk from a wholesaler. 

When you buy in bulk, you can pay less for jewelry tools and supplies without sacrificing quality and increase your profit margin. 

Ask Yourself These Questions Before You Buy

You don’t want to go in blind when you make a wholesale purchase and end up with something you won’t use. Before you take out your wallet, ask yourself the following questions and avoid buying something you’re not happy with:

What Style Of Jewelry do You Want To Make? 

Do you want to make funky dangle earrings or stylish necklaces made with eye-catching glass beads? Each style of jewelry requires different supplies, which is why it’s important you know what you want to make before you buy. 

What Kind of Materials Are You Looking For?

Knowing the kind of materials of jewelry you want to make is also important when planning what you need to buy. For example, sterling silver jewelry findings are going to cost you more than brass ones with sterling silver plating.

When you know what materials you want, you can cross out suppliers who don’t sell what you’re looking for. This makes the process of finding the right wholesale jewelry supplier go much quicker. 

How Many Supplies Do You Need?

Wholesale jewelry suppliers have a minimum purchase volume (MPV), or the least amount of product they are willing to sell you at one time. If you have your eye on wholesale beads that have an MPV of 1,000 pieces and you only need 50 beads, then there’s no need to overbuy.

You want your supply to stay in line with your demand so that you can avoid being stuck with beads you don’t need and can’t sell. 

Are You Making Jewelry for Yourself or To Sell?

If you’re buying jewelry-making supplies with the intent of selling your final product, you need to get a business license and tax ID number first. If you buy your supplies wholesale for the purpose of making jewelry for yourself, then this step is unnecessary. 

What’s Your Niche as a Small Jewelry Business?

As a jewelry business owner, your niche is different from the style and material of the products you sell. Your niche helps you stand out from other jewelry businesses. Your niche may be that you only sell book-themed jewelry or that you make your jewelry using paper.

Whatever your niche might be, you need to make sure that there’s a demand for it. Otherwise, you won’t make much of a profit.

What’s Trending?

Likewise, you want to sell jewelry that’s trendy. You won’t move much product selling jewelry that’s considered out of fashion. 

Tips on Buying From Wholesale Jewelry Suppliers

Now that you’ve answered these questions for yourself, you can start looking at wholesale jewelry suppliers. Keep the following tips in mind while you search:

Do Your Research First

You wouldn’t buy your clothes from somewhere you know nothing about, so why buy from a mystery wholesale jewelry supplier? Not all wholesale jewelry suppliers are made equal, so vet the supplier first before you purchase.

A good way of gauging how your experience with a supplier will go is by reading verified customer reviews. 

Look for Their MPV 

If a wholesale supplier is selling charms for jewelry making at an MPV of 100 pieces, but you need only 10 charms, ask them if they are willing to sell you a smaller amount. The supplier may be able to accommodate you. 

Keep an Eye on Shipping Time 

Don’t buy supplies in bulk two weeks before your product launch date if you know your supplies will take a minimum of four weeks to ship. If the supplier is selling products manufactured in another country, you want to allow for extra time to account for international shipping. 

Cousin DIY: Your Wholesale Jewelry Supplier 

Now that you know everything you need to about buying from a wholesale jewelry supplier, you can avoid buying bulk products you don’t like and make purchases you’re happy with.

When you need jewelry supplies, you can rely on Cousin DIY to provide you with quality jewelry-making supplies and an excellent customer experience. We are your one-stop wholesale jewelry supply online shop.

Cousin DIY is originally out of Largo, Florida, and has been a family-owned company for over 40 years. Browse our small findings blog for more tips and information on jewelry and craft making.