One way to specialize is to offer only a certain form of jewelry.  Perhaps you’ve always found yourself more interested in bracelets – bangles, clasp, metal, beaded -  than in other types of jewelry.  A search through the catalogs of most wholesale jewelry companies will show you a virtually unlimited choice of bracelets available in a wide price range.  While specializing in bracelets, you could also carry anklets, childrens, teens, and adult bracelets for both men and women.  Or you could specialize in earrings, or necklaces – the choice is yours!

Another way to develop your business niche would be to offer only one type of jewelry.  Do you really like gold jewelry?  Or jade?  Pearls, opals, silver, beads?  You can choose and sell necklaces, bracelets, rings, chokers, anklets, all in the type you prefer and in the price range you want to pay.  For example, you can offer your customers only gold jewelry, but in a wide range of prices for every budget.  You could even specialize further, perhaps by offering only men’s gold rings with stones or insignias.

Hand-crafted jewelry is also available, and can be developed into a very viable business.  These items can be a bit pricier than machine or mass-produced pieces, but they have a great appeal to your potential buyers.  Knowing that you’re supporting individual artisans is personally satisfying, as well as  offering a great marketing concept to plan your wholesale jewelry business around! 

Other ways to specialize include themed jewelry, such as western, ethnic, Native American, or animal (horses or seagulls or…).  You could specialize in jewelry for children, or teens, or men.  Whatever you choose, do some solid research first – and then have fun choosing your favorite pieces!

Photo: cjc4454

One thing that’s very important when you’re just starting purchasing from a wholesale jewelry business is whether the company you want to buy from allows changes in the order before it’s shipped.  Until you really know your market, you may find yourself having to change your order.  Many discount jewelry companies will allow you to, but only within a certain time frame after you place your order.  Unless you have some experience in the business, you will want to look for a company that lets you change the order within a reasonable time.

Another thing to look for is the minimum purchase amount.  Some companies have no minimum dollar amount per order, while others require orders of $100, $800, $5000, or more.  What you can afford to purchase will depend on your business plan and financing, as well as on how you will be marketing the wholesale jewelry you choose.  If the business you’re starting is a smaller boutique jewelry site, you may want to order from wholesale jewelers who have no or a low minimum order.  Payment terms are another important factor.  Some companies will accept partial payments before shipping and the balance when they ship.

Lead, or production, time is another important consideration.  How long it takes a company to ship the jewelry to you after you order will determine when you can start selling and then restock.  Reliable wholesalers will list this on their sales policy or FAQ pages.  They may also state if they can do rush orders, and whether they charge extra to get your discount jewelry to you so you can keep selling.

Carefully read the company’s return and refund policy as well.  When you are investing to start a new business, it’s important to know if a product arrives broken or not as stated that you can return it for a refund.  Most companies have some policy for refunding money on your wholesale jewelry purchase, but many list certain limitations, such as the time since the order was shipped or whether they still carry the product or not.

Check every policy page on the wholesale jewelry outlet site, then you can get to the fun part – choosing the jewelry you want!

Photo: Sarah G…