If you've been toying with the idea of opening an online business, you may have wondered what niche to hop into. There are countless items you can sell online, but one of the most popular and lucrative is the jewelry industry. Jewelry comes in all shapes, sizes, colors, and forms, allowing you to carve out a space for you to create a unique brand. But getting started and finding jewelry manufacturers may seem like a challenge.

In this guide, we'll cover how to find a jewelry manufacturer so you can start creating and selling your own pieces. In six simple steps, you'll be on your way to running a successful online jewelry store.

1. Determine the types of jewelry you want to create

The first step in finding custom jewelry manufacturers is determining the types of jewelry you want to create and sell. Finding your niche can help you define your target audience and help limit your scope. This is important because you don't want to have an incohesive collection of jewelry that spans different styles and makes it difficult for your audience to understand your brand.

When it comes to the types of jewelry you want to create, think about the type of jewelry you like, potential gaps in the market, or ways to put a twist on a classic piece of jewelry. You can also focus on a certain type of jewelry, such as earrings, necklaces, rings, or bracelets, or consider a market, such as high-end jewelry or bohemian jewelry. Finding a way to distinguish yourself and show your customers your personality goes a long way in the jewelry industry.

2. Develop your designs

Once you've determined your niche, it's time to start developing your designs. To develop a design, you'll need computer-aided designs (CADs). CADs can help you create a wide range of products including jewelry, and are beneficial in that they help you make necessary modifications and alterations if needed.

However, creating CADs can seem intimidating, especially if you lack the computer design skills needed to create jewelry concepts. At Pietra, we can pair you with freelance designers who can help you bring your vision to life. When consulting with a freelance designer, you can run your ideas by them and provide real-time feedback and suggestions to create a unique piece of jewelry that speaks to you.

However, you may find a jewelry manufacturer who has in-house support when it comes to creating CADs. Regardless, this is an essential step for any jewelry designer when it comes to creating a custom piece.

3. Research different jewelry manufacturers

Not all jewelry manufacturers for small businesses are the same, which means you need to do your due diligence when it comes to finding the right custom fashion jewelry manufacturer for you. As stated, you can find jewelry manufacturers who can help you create your own unique designs, and Pietra can help you source suppliers that can help you define your brand.

However, you can also look into private label jewelry manufacturers. Working with private label jewelry manufacturers is a more affordable option and great for first-time jewelry business owners. This is because when you work with a private label jewelry manufacturer, you can choose pre-made jewelry with lower MOQ's and sell it as your own with your custom packaging. At Pietra, we have over 5,000 private label jewelry products on our marketplace.

4. Screen each jewelry manufacturer

Once you've narrowed down your list of custom jewelry manufacturers, it's important to screen each manufacturer to ensure they deliver products that meet your expectations. By interviewing each jewelry manufacturer, you can ensure the jewelry they produce aligns with your brand and vision. Some key topics to talk to your manufacturer about include:

  • Minimum order quantities (MOQ's)
  • Production costs
  • Production turnaround times
  • Shipping process
  • Quality assurance process
  • Materials
  • Ability to handle special materials and processes

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By covering these topics, you can ensure the jewelry manufacturer has the tools and experience needed to create the products you intend to sell, as well as measures in place to ensure quality and efficiency are in place.

5. Order samples of your product designs

After screening various jewelry manufacturers, take the opportunity to order samples of your product designs. By ordering samples, you'll be able to see first-hand if the products are what you envisioned. During this time, you'll be able to make any alterations and work with your manufacturer by providing feedback.

At Pietra, you can order samples from any supplier you want to work with. This process is an essential step to running a successful online jewelry business, as it helps you work toward your final design that will be shipped to your customers.

6. Start selling

Now that you've screened and chosen a custom jewelry manufacturer, it's time to get to the fun part—opening your eCommerce site and selling your jewelry pieces. In today's day and age, running an online store is easy, especially with eCommerce platforms like Pietra.

With Pietra, you can set up shop on the Creator Marketplace and work with freelance designers to set up your page and teach you how to manage your online store. Pietra also can connect with Shopify, so if you run a Shopify store but want to leverage the power of Pietra's Fulfillment Services or other services, we can help make that happen.

Find a Jewelry Manufacturer with Pietra

At Pietra, we can help you find a jewelry manufacturer who can help you design and produce your custom jewelry pieces. Throughout every step of forming your online jewelry business, Pietra can help. Not only can you find jewelry manufacturers, but Pietra can handle all fulfillment services for you, so you don't have to worry about tracking inventory or renting a warehouse.

Additionally, Pietra can help you find freelance designers to create your logos, packaging, and artwork, all of which are vital to welcoming customers into perusing your jewelry items. See success stories by reviewing PR about how Pietra helps Creators, and learn more about how Pietra works.