deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Oct 28, 2006 11:54:12 GMT -5
Here's my latest fun:  Graveyard plume, 38mm x 10mm  Ocean Jasper, 30mm x 17.5mm  Ocho, 35mm x 17mm  Ocean Jasper, 25mm x 18mm  Labradorite, 36mm x 18mm and one I've posted before here:  Ocean Jasper, 50mm x 18mm I've been asked by some crafty pals in other forums if I would be interested in selling my cabs, and I'm basically pulling numbers out of the air! I have no clue. I've seen them range from $0.99 on ebay to $60 some on high end sites. I was thinking around $16-$30, but that's because I've seen glass cabs at $15 and halfway between what I've seen for prices!  ('dee logic') Any help/thoughts/comments/opiinions would be appreciated! |
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Post by stoner on Oct 28, 2006 14:14:34 GMT -5
Nice work Dee. Don't sell your talent short. Your cabs are very nicely shaped and made from quality stones and most importantly, they are hand crafted, and that makes them worth more than ones that are machine made. The price range you're thinking about is pretty much on target and if you can hook up with some jewelers who recognize your talent, you shouldn't have any problems selling your cabs. Keep cutting and good luck with your sales.
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Post by gemkoi on Oct 28, 2006 16:20:26 GMT -5
Eds right Dee, keep in mind the open market vers your local market. anything online will be an open(free) market. Which no matter how good your cutts are, and the quality of material. cutters are subjected to overseas competition which can really throw off ignorant buyers.
So what you really have to ask yourself comes down to, A- getting known as a cutter(offer custom cutting service), or B-just sell you cabs.
If you want to be know as a cutter, i suggust going the local route frist. and biulding an inventory before bring your cabs to the open market(online). If you just want to sell your cabs, then you going tto have to compete with the low prices that really can be a pain when you put so much work into it, and it is quailty material thats not easy to replace. Places like ebay are, in the past year, to me a drag on cabochon cutters. Only becaue its gotton flooded with over sees cabs, or quality materila and good cuts. Pietersite is an example ive seen on ebay of recent were you can find nice cabs from Hongkong, selling for under $10. Heck i cant even cover the cost of the rough for that price here in the states, let alone the cabbing.
A website is ideal, beasue with ebay for instance, they take 30% on average for most sales. So again, your hit with that cost factor, were websites have little to no cost invloved to maintain them(though it takes time to get one running and so folks find you). One is able to park their inventory and continually biuld it so when the buyers start rolling in(open market) there many to cuts, materials, and sizes to choose from.
To be hounest, if i had to put your cabs up for sale on the open market, they would range from $12-$25 tops. BUt i myself have cabs on my site that i know are worth a good penny and will simply price them high for sake of standing my ground. But in order to price them to move, i would do as stated.
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Post by rocklicker on Oct 28, 2006 22:45:31 GMT -5
Wow, those are nice cabs. I like the flow-ey shapes a lot. I hope you don't sell yourself short as Ed says. I'd say the prices you picked are a good spot, but that's just personal opinion, and not based on any retail knowledge whatsoever.
Steve
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Post by rockyraccoon on Oct 28, 2006 23:02:11 GMT -5
dee go for it - your price range is good!
kim
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Oct 28, 2006 23:54:00 GMT -5
Thanks, guys.
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Oct 29, 2006 0:01:30 GMT -5
I did lower my top price a few dollars to go with Freeform suggested. I guess I'm in B category ~ I'd just be nice to sell a few cabs now and then on my Etsy site, where I sell other things I do (sewing, yarn, spinning, wire wrapping, polymer beads, etc...) Etsy only charges .10 (soon to be .20 in v2) to list, and then 3.5% after it sells. So I'm just trying it out! If I sell a few cabs, that means I can REALLY justify buying more rock...;-)
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Oct 29, 2006 0:02:50 GMT -5
kim, your avator always cracks me up...
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Post by gemkoi on Oct 30, 2006 20:34:54 GMT -5
No Dee, i wouldnt say your in the B catogory. YOu just ahve to remember that the market is B in general. As we not doing real gemstones(as people think diamond, emerald, etc, etc) Your cuts and materials are great. But the internet can and will take time to get ahold of. Though ebay is a place to start, its not a great place to start. There really is no online place to start getting you cabs out there except palces like this baord and others. I offer a "cabochons for Sale" forum on my baord. For folks like yourself who may get a website, but currently are only looking for advertise their cabs with no cost.
Putting a site together is ideal, but getting that sight seen online is what really takes time. So use places like this baord and mine becasue it ownt cost you anything. I also hihgly suggest you offer, wether on your ebay about me page, or other forums. A service for cabochon cutting. That will help you get known by jewelers who shop online for cabs and enjoy doing custom work were they themselves can ahve a say not only in material, but shape.
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deedolce
fully equipped rock polisher
Member since October 2006
Posts: 1,828
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Post by deedolce on Oct 30, 2006 20:44:40 GMT -5
Ed, I think I'm worried about messing someone else's rock! What if I lose my grip on the polishing wheel?? I'm not ready for custom work yet. :-) Thanks, I'll check your site and may post on your for sale forum! Thanks!!
I confess your Hellsgate Sagenite hypnotizes me everytime I see it. And the last in your line of cabs in your sig is AMAZING.
~dee
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Post by gemkoi on Oct 30, 2006 20:50:08 GMT -5
cutom work actaully wont be bad. Just offer your rough only. And be tough on folks who are not sure. I sometimes will turn customers away becasuse they have rough that i cant see in person. And they are unsure of what they actaully have. IN case with a large tiffany stone group i did for a customer. I stated she could send the slabs, but if they showed to be low quality i would just send them back. Lucky the pieces had a large silica amount and were able to cut and polish fine. Outside of a few problems, she emailed me recently and stated how impressed with the group after recieveing them. I was kinda mixed personally, but she was pleased. I think custom work is important, but one can offer it anyway they choose, just define a policy in your terms if you do. So if something were to happen, you wontt be held liable. Oh ya, and it Shain.. lol
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('dee logic')
