Antique Jewelry Wholesale
Most people think that online auctions, such as eBay is the way to go. While this is true occasionally, you will usually find that the seller knows the value of what they are selling, and the price is quite high. There are other ways to find antique jewelry at wholesale prices – or below.
Keep an eye on your newspaper for advertised estate sales and garage sales. Typically, at these sales, the people holding the sale really don’t know the value of what they have. You can literally purchase hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of antique jewelry for just a few dollars on a typical Saturday morning.
It is important that you not look too closely at the jewelry when you are buying it. If the piece is valuable, you don’t want the seller to know how valuable it is! Keep a straight face, keep your happiness and joy to yourself, and pay the fifty cents or two bucks that they want for the piece, get in your car and head to a trusted jeweler for an appraisal!
It is possible that the piece isn’t worth anything – but occasionally, you will stumble across some real finds! Even if the piece isn’t worth anything, if you make jewelry, you may be able to disassemble it for the parts.
Finding antique jewelry wholesale is very exciting. In fact, spending those Saturday mornings at the yard sales and estate sales may even become addicting! Yard sales and estate sales – especially estate sales where grandchildren are not interested in their grandma’s old ugly jewelry are the best sources for antique jewelry at wholesale prices –or below wholesale prices.
This doesn’t mean that there aren’t some real find on eBay as well, so don’t discount it. Keep an eye on the jewelry categories, as well as the antique or vintage categories. If the piece is very expensive, use the escrow service that is recommended bye Bay. Also talk to the seller quite a bit to be sure that you understand exactly what is being advertised!
How to Buy Jewelry Wholesale
There is a difference between online jewelry stores and online wholesale companies. Online jewelry stores sell jewelry at retail prices, even though the price may be slightly discounted. Wholesale companies sell jewelry at wholesale prices – which of course are cheaper than retail prices.
There are many sites where you can purchase directories of wholesale companies, but this really isn’t necessary. If you are looking for an engagement ring at a wholesale price, for example, simply type ‘engagement ring wholesale’ into the search box – a whole slew of wholesalers who carry engagement rings will pop up in the search results.
Be aware that some wholesaler’s will only sell in bulk. Of course, if you just want to buy one engagement ring, you do not want to buy in bulk.
If buying online isn’t what you are interested in, consider joining a discount club, such as Sam’s. Here you will find jewelry at deeply discounted retail prices, which is the next best thing to jewelry wholesale prices – but again, the wholesale prices will be lower.
When dealing with an online wholesale company, you need to do several things. There are many companies out there that will advertise that their jewelry is ‘authentic.’ Read the sales copy very carefully, and educate yourself quickly. For instance, beware of words like ‘gold plated’ or ‘realistic.’
Also find out if the company has a refund or exchange policy, as well as a 100% money back guarantee. Also consider using eBay to find jewelry wholesale prices. Check the seller’s feedback and ratings, and make sure that you are dealing with a reputable person or company. If the jewelry is an important piece, use the escrow service that eBay recommends – even if you have to pay the escrow fees yourself!
Purchasing Diamonds Online Tips
One of the best things about purchasing diamond online is the unlimited selection. When shopping offline, you are limited to the selection in the stores in your general area. Online, there are no limits. Before shopping, learn as much as you can about diamonds – especially cut, color, clarity and carat weights. When you are knowledgeable about diamonds, it will be harder for a con artist to rip you off.
Don’t purchase the first diamond that you see that interests you. Instead, look for similar diamonds for sale. Do some comparison shopping to find the lowest prices. You know about diamonds, you’ve found a diamond that you love, and you’ve found the lowest price – but you are still quite a ways away from actually purchasing that diamond!
Ask about the seller’s credentials, such as professional jewelry associations that they belong to. View and print the seller’s return, refund, and upgrade policies. Also inquire about additional services, such as settings and mountings, sizing, and free shipping. Do a search for customer reviews on this particular company around the Internet.
Ask for a diamond grading report from an independent laboratory such as GIA, HRD, EGL or AGS. Finally, use a reputable escrow service for high dollar diamonds – preferably one that will have the diamond appraised while it is in their possession. The seller sends the diamond to the escrow service, and you send the money to pay for the diamond to the escrow service. The escrow service has the diamond appraised, sends the diamond to you, and sends the money to the seller.