http://www.theparadeofbrides.com/gold-prong/
Gold Prong
I have a problem. Gold isn’t selling.
And I sell gold. Jewelry, that is. Yes, silver too, and even some beaded stuff, but what do we really want to sell?
The inventory with the higher price point. Gold and gemstones.
We recently got in a pair of simple hoop earrings for a long time customer. Simple design, but well made and weighty at just over eight grams. They cost us about $450 wholesale. The customer, I don’t blame her, decided to pass. This was the third pair we got in so we held on to them, and there they sit in the case with the rest of the gold and dust bunnies.
The new inventory we have gets passed up. Sure we get a sporadic person coming in and wanting a nice opal or whatever, but the pieces that sell don’t have a lot of gold or design to them. Not only is gold high but people are not spending, making the market especially tough.
Here are some options to increase gold sales for an independent bench jeweler:
- Sell estate pieces. The only larger items selling for us are estate pieces. If your in retail you know its as much about perception as anything, and having some re-sale items certainly has perceived value.
- Engagement rings. People are still getting married, and they won’t buy silver to do it. We will be focusing on this market with a new line of smaller rings with a bezel setting. Less material, and more of a handmade look then the traditional prong setting. These types of rings are going well on Etsy.
- Reduce the price of your old inventory. You may need to come off your prices a bit. Why not clear out your old stock? Again, give the customer a perception of value at a time when they have to pay a premium for new or custom designed jewelry.
- Go online. Using Etsy or Ebay will increase your exposure, if nothing else. It’s far easier and less expensive to try new angles online and see what works. The bonus with selling online? You don’t need new inventory. Keep at it, it’s a slow process.
- Get creative. Design your jewelry with mixed metals, smaller pieces, or even play around with gold plating. Often having restraints on what you can do stimulates the creative process.
It the jewelry business it’s often difficult to switch gears and try new things. The amount of time and resources it takes to design new lines of work or change inventory is huge. Taking action and remaining flexible are the best way to stay ahead and keep positive despite these challenges. The times, they are a-changin.
Ryan Brower is a writer, manager, and window washer at Van Dyke Jewelry and Fine Craft in Asheville, NC. Visit our website at http://www.vandykejewelry.com to view our selection of local jewelry and crafts, or stop by next time you visit Asheville.
I can also be reached at ryan@vandykejewelry.com.
I accidentally pulled the negative prong of a circuit any idea how to fix it?
I was replacing the battery in my Pokemon gold version and when I pulled the negative prong off the battery I pulled a little to hard and pulled the entire prong and green stuff under the prong off the board
To view pictures of the damage go to this link
http://www.facebook.
com/album.php?id=100000307037431&aid=8930
I would put it in one post but yahoo won’t let me
please explain as you would to an eighth grader
could I just tape it back on?
If you are good at soldering you could put a little jumper to connect the loose prong electrically to the circuit board. Then epoxy the prong back on to connect it physically.
If you are pulling off the prong you might not have those precision motor skills so I see a need for a new Pokemon in your future.
Gold Hills Musketeer and Jessica San Diego Brister at Black Prong HDT March 7 2009
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