The Business end of Cabochons?

Good Question spikeict,

my experince came from using all and every outlet i could. When i started cutting, coffee shops and gift shops alike would consign my pendants, but loose cabs would rarly sell. And in both cases, the cost far outweight the profit being made.

then i worked at gemshows for vendors that would allow me to place a table of cabs out. They sold and i got many clients started for custom work. After which i then focused on website and an online, no overhead place to store active inventory.

Overtime, i struggle playing the online consumer game, when igornace far outweights worth. And i still see this day by day. Ebay is a perfect example, becasue in most cases cabs dont get bid up unless either a; the person bidding is crazy, or B, the cab being bid on is turly one of a kind and very high grade. But you also see repeat buyers bid up cabochons. Thats soley becasue they really dont buy them anywere else, and only from that one seller.

Having low grade cabs is a good thing becasue most folks who are into jewelry, do not do it professionally. And want low costs or are on a fixed income. As their only option is cheap overseas mass produce tumbled cabochons that come in the same 12 flavors.

Plus, you have to weight the fact of free market, vers your local market. I carter to around 6 local jewelers, which does vary on the season. But i actaully get better sales from jewelers abroad were they know exactly what they want, and know what it should cost. BUt it takes time to get these types, as most dont know what they want. And you gotta kinda hold their hand through the process.

The key is overhead, and cartering to a speicality market. But these take time to biuld, using all means you can. The one thing you must becareful on it commonitly. Cut quailty is important, so is unqiue materials, patterns, shapes, colors, and names. Plus you must always be willing to tell them you dont know when they ask a question you dont know the anwser too. being professional as you can, and using resources like RTH as referral.

Plus, a local market will vary to a free or internet market. Like with Daniels pendants for example. I personally for experince wouldnt try marketing those online. But i would locally. But still having a current, updated, and easy to navigate website were you can park any inventory you want with little cost is key as well. As Ed points out, most will ask if you got one. And if you dont, you can loose out on 50% of the market for cabochons, if not more. Since your jsut starting out to sell.

I personal say you must have a service page too. This insures the user you are a professional and that you are willing to work with them on their ideas. Vers just selling inventory and keeping inventory up. thats a drain and can cuase problems i feel. Unless your just buying inventory and reselling it. Vers creating the inventory yourself from sratch.

Most cabocons are not unqiue, no matter how well we try to say they are. Thats also why certain cutters only cut turquoise or opal for example. Though not unqiue and generally always look the same. Demand dictates if the material is AAAgrade, and the cut is professional and will last. it will sell at the given rate. Plus both those materials are generally easy to work after you get a handle on them.

So, start locally, but get a site going at the same time. Use all outlets you can, and just dont stick to rockshows. Women are big buyers of cabochons, they are a local craft show for women here in AJ each year. often you see Jewelers setting up there. Create a service page, and offer custom cutting. And be very selective about materials. When ever you get a new piece of rough you think may cut good cabs. Get online and find out if someone already selling them. Are they selling, if so at what amount. Is the market flooded?

Me also, and I know that I am jumping the gun a bit, But if my situation continues for another 2 years and I keep doing better at them (oh and if Florida wins tonight and the total score is close to or under 143, I will be about half way to the cost of a machine, Er, uh, not gambling, uh, just a feeling I have) plus I have been encouraged by the comments here, and I have to say I like the ones from the past couple of days. I will be getting a machine (Go Gators!) sooner or later, but will be.

Spike

Well for what it's worth- I was smiling- and You put it there!!!