How to Start a Jewelry Store

Entrepreneurs who enter this industry are usually passionate about metalworking and gemstones and have a good eye for value. Jewelry businesses usually specialize in the fabrication and sale of unique jewelry pieces. They also resell estate or secondhand pieces. Some jewelers will also accept pieces on consignment.

Ready to turn your business idea into a reality? Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

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Start a jewelry store by following these 10 steps:

  1. Plan your Jewelry Store
  2. Form your Jewelry Store into a Legal Entity
  3. Register your Jewelry Store for Taxes
  4. Open a Business Bank Account & Credit Card
  5. Set up Accounting for your Jewelry Store
  6. Get the Necessary Permits & Licenses for your Jewelry Store
  7. Get Jewelry Store Insurance
  8. Define your Jewelry Store Brand
  9. Create your Jewelry Store Website
  10. Set up your Business Phone System

We have put together this simple guide to starting your jewelry store. These steps will ensure that your new business is well planned out, registered properly and legally compliant.

Exploring your options? Check out other small business ideas.

STEP 1: Plan your business

A clear plan is essential for success as an entrepreneur. It will help you map out the specifics of your business and discover some unknowns. A few important topics to consider are:

Luckily we have done a lot of this research for you.

What will you name your business?

Choosing the right name is important and challenging. If you don’t already have a name in mind, visit our How to Name a Business guide or get help brainstorming a name with our Jewelry Store Name Generator

If you operate a sole proprietorship, you might want to operate under a business name other than your own name. Visit our DBA guide to learn more.

When registering a business name, we recommend researching your business name by checking:

  • Your state’s business records
  • Federal and state trademark records
  • Social media platforms
  • Web domain availability

It’s very important to secure your domain name before someone else does.

What are the costs involved in opening a jewelry store?

A small jewelry store can be started for as little as $20,000. However, depending on your location, it might cost up to $100,000 to get started.

A typical breakdown of expenses might look like this:

  • Rent: $0 (if you start your business out of your home); $1,000 per month for a small storefront; up to $10,000 per month for a larger storefront, depending on location.
  • Overhead and raw materials: $500 for basic raw materials to make low-end jewelry; $10,000+ for precious metals and gemstones.
  • Insurance: $500 – $1,000 per year.
  • Basic tools: $200 – $300

As your business grows, you will want to add more tools to your tool set, including grinders, a professional workbench, various gemological tools, hammers and mallets, laser welders, loupes and magnifiers, metal forming tools, gauges and scales, molds and casts, engraving tools, beading supplies and beaders, burs and drills, adhesives and various specialty compounds, polishers, and safety equipment.

Costs vary, of course, depending on the size and scope of your operation. However, a full tool set may add several thousand dollars to the overhead cost.

To reduce the overhead cost, consider bootstrapping your business.

For example, instead of taking on large loans, consider borrowing money from a retirement account, cash value life insurance policy, your own savings, or from a friend or family member. Grow the business slowly over time as finances allow.

What are the ongoing expenses for a jewelry store?

Ongoing expenses for a jeweler vary based on the size of the operation.

A jeweler may have to pay rent, supply costs, and labor for a small to medium-sized operation. Larger operations usually cost more to run.

A typical breakdown of costs may look something like this:

  • Rent for building: $3,000 – $10,000, depending on location
  • COGS: Precious metals spot price + spread + gemstone = $3,000 – $50,000+
  • Labor cost: $25,000 – $50,000+ per employee
  • Insurance: $1 – $2 per $100 of merchandise

Who is the target market?

Ideal customers are those shopping for an engagement or wedding ring. Alternatively, those who are interested in and can afford luxury jewelry or custom pieces are also ideal customers.

How does a jewelry store make money?

A jewelry business makes money by fabricating and selling jewelry. Customers typically pay a set price for the piece which is based on the cost of metal, gemstones, labor for fabrication, and jeweler’s markup.

How much can you charge customers?

Jewelers have their own language when it comes to pricing their product, called “keystone pricing.” This means wholesale pricing times 2. In other words, traditional jewelers will mark up pieces 100%. A piece purchased for $100 should be sold for $200, minimum. However, it’s not uncommon for rare items to be marked up 300% or more, which is called “triple keystone pricing.”

With smaller jewelers, cash or credit is the standard method of payment. For larger retailers, in-house special financing is often arranged for more expensive pieces.

How much profit can a jewelry store make?

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a precious metals worker makes just under $40,000 per year. If a jeweler is an owner-operator, he may make this much net of costs. A successful owner-operator could earn more, however, depending on location and size of the operation.

How can you make your business more profitable?

Growing your business is the key to more money in the jewelry business. Prices for metals are determined by the commodities markets and gemstone pricing is determined by distributors. Therefore, jewelry store owners need to focus on business expansion.

Some ideas include:

  • Selling over the Internet through popular online marketplaces (markets like etsy, ebay etc.)
  • Selling through local markets, farmers markets, mall kiosk/pop-up shop, or other temporary locations

Want a more guided approach? Access TRUiC’s free Small Business Startup Guide – a step-by-step course for turning your business idea into reality. Get started today!

STEP 2: Form a legal entity

One crucial aspect that cannot be overlooked when starting your jewelry store is the importance of establishing a solid business foundation. While sole proprietorships and partnerships are the most common entity types for small businesses, they’re a far less stable and advantageous option than LLCs.

This is because unincorporated business structures (i.e., sole proprietorships and partnerships) expose you as an owner to personal liability for your business’s debts and legal actions, while LLCs protect you by keeping your personal assets separate from your business’s liabilities.

In practice, this means that if your jewelry store were to face a lawsuit or incur any debts, your savings, home, and other personal assets could not be used to cover these costs. On top of this, forming your business as an LLC also helps it to appear more legitimate and trustworthy.

Ready to Turn Your Business Idea Into a Reality?

Tailor Brands is our top recommendation because it guides you through every step of the formation process with hands-on support — from paperwork and compliance to devising a detailed plan to help you achieve your business goals.

FORM YOUR LLC

Note: If you’re interested in more information before getting started, we recommend having a look at our state-specific How to Start an LLC guide (DIY) or our in-depth Best LLC Services review (for those opting for a professional service).

STEP 3: Register for taxes

You will need to register for a variety of state and federal taxes before you can open for business.

In order to register for taxes you will need to apply for an EIN. It’s really easy and free!

You can acquire your EIN through the IRS website. If you would like to learn more about EINs, read our article, What is an EIN?

There are specific state taxes that might apply to your business. Learn more about state sales tax and franchise taxes in our state sales tax guides.

STEP 4: Open a business bank account & credit card

Using dedicated business banking and credit accounts is essential for personal asset protection.

When your personal and business accounts are mixed, your personal assets (your home, car, and other valuables) are at risk in the event your business is sued. In business law, this is referred to as piercing your corporate veil.

Open a business bank account

Besides being a requirement when applying for business loans, opening a business bank account:

  • Separates your personal assets from your company’s assets, which is necessary for personal asset protection.
  • Makes accounting and tax filing easier.

Recommended: Read our Best Banks for Small Business review to find the best national bank or credit union.

Get a business credit card

Getting a business credit card helps you:

Recommended: Apply for an easy approval business credit card from BILL and build your business credit quickly.

STEP 5: Set up business accounting

Recording your various expenses and sources of income is critical to understanding the financial performance of your business. Keeping accurate and detailed accounts also greatly simplifies your annual tax filing.

Make LLC accounting easy with our LLC Expenses Cheat Sheet.

STEP 6: Obtain necessary permits and licenses

Failure to acquire necessary permits and licenses can result in hefty fines, or even cause your business to be shut down.

State & Local Business Licensing Requirements

Certain state permits and licenses may be needed to operate a jewelry store. Learn more about licensing requirements in your state by visiting SBA’s reference to state licenses and permits.

Most businesses are required to collect sales tax on the goods or services they provide. To learn more about how sales tax will affect your business, read our article, Sales Tax for Small Businesses.

Certificate of Occupancy

If a jewelry business plans to have a physical retail presence, a Certificate of Occupancy (CO) will be needed. A CO confirms that all building codes, zoning laws and government regulations have been met.

When leasing a store location:

  • It is generally the landlord’s responsibility to obtain a CO.
  • Before leasing, confirm that your landlord has or can obtain a valid CO that is applicable to a Jewelry business.
  • After a major renovation, a new CO often needs to be issued. If your place of business will be renovated before opening, it is recommended to include language in your lease agreement stating that lease payments will not commence until a valid CO is issued.

When purchasing or building a store location:

  • You will be responsible for obtaining a valid CO from a local government authority.
  • Review all building codes and zoning requirements for your business’ location to ensure your Jewelry business will be in compliance and able to obtain a CO.

As well, many retail establishments will play music in the store to offer an aesthetically pleasing environment, requiring a music license:

STEP 7: Get business insurance

Just as with licenses and permits, your business needs insurance in order to operate safely and lawfully. Business Insurance protects your company’s financial wellbeing in the event of a covered loss.

There are several types of insurance policies created for different types of businesses with different risks. If you’re unsure of the types of risks that your business may face, begin with General Liability Insurance. This is the most common coverage that small businesses need, so it’s a great place to start for your business.

Another notable insurance policy that many businesses need is Workers’ Compensation Insurance. If your business will have employees, it’s a good chance that your state will require you to carry Workers’ Compensation Coverage.

Find out what types of insurance your Jewelry Store needs and how much it will cost you by reading our guide Business Insurance for Jewelry Store.

STEP 8: Define your brand

Your brand is what your company stands for, as well as how your business is perceived by the public. A strong brand will help your business stand out from competitors.

If you already have a logo, you can also add it to a QR code with our Free QR Code Generator. Choose from 13 QR code types to create a code for your business cards and publications, or to help spread awareness for your new website.

How to promote & market a jewelry store

Marketing a jewelry store is usually done via word-of-mouth and local advertising. Advertising of this type can include anything from explaining your business to those in your social circle and asking them to tell others they know about your business to participating and presenting your jewely at various community events and local fairs.

How to keep customers coming back

Jewelers who specialize often outperform their peers. For example, a jeweler who specializes in custom wedding pieces will attract a unique kind of customer and outcompete in that market.

STEP 9: Create your business website

After defining your brand and creating your logo the next step is to create a website for your business.

While creating a website is an essential step, some may fear that it’s out of their reach because they don’t have any website-building experience. While this may have been a reasonable fear back in 2015, web technology has seen huge advancements in the past few years that makes the lives of small business owners much simpler.

Here are the main reasons why you shouldn’t delay building your website:

  • All legitimate businesses have websites – full stop. The size or industry of your business does not matter when it comes to getting your business online.
  • Social media accounts like Facebook pages or LinkedIn business profiles are not a replacement for a business website that you own.
  • Website builder tools like the GoDaddy Website Builder have made creating a basic website extremely simple. You don’t need to hire a web developer or designer to create a website that you can be proud of.

Recommended: Get started today using our recommended website builder or check out our review of the Best Website Builders.

Other popular website builders are: WordPressWIXWeeblySquarespace, and Shopify.

STEP 10: Set up your business phone system

Getting a phone set up for your business is one of the best ways to help keep your personal life and business life separate and private. That’s not the only benefit; it also helps you make your business more automated, gives your business legitimacy, and makes it easier for potential customers to find and contact you.

There are many services available to entrepreneurs who want to set up a business phone system. We’ve reviewed the top companies and rated them based on price, features, and ease of use. Check out our review of the Best Business Phone Systems 2024 to find the best phone service for your small business.

Recommended Business Phone Service: Phone.com

Phone.com is our top choice for small business phone numbers because of all the features it offers for small businesses and it’s fair pricing.

Is this Business Right For You?

This business is suitable for individuals who have a passion for metalworking and are experts in the trade.

The jewelry business is also influenced by the gemstone and precious metals industry, so business owners should also be metals enthusiasts and enjoy watching the metals and gemstone markets.

Want to know if you are cut out to be an entrepreneur?

Take our Entrepreneurship Quiz to find out!

Entrepreneurship Quiz

What happens during a typical day at a jewelry store?

Business owners typically work late hours and spend a lot of time creating jewelry, taking inventory, and managing supplies.

What are some skills and experiences that will help you build a successful jewelry store?

Being a jeweler is a trade, so most entrepreneurs who get into this business already have experience in the industry. However, that doesn’t mean an outsider cannot start a jewelry store. Experience in metalworking, sales, gemstone cutting and analysis, and accounting is strongly recommended.

What is the growth potential for a jewelry store?

Being a jeweler is a low-overhead business. You can run it out of a home or garage or rent a small office or building. Small jewelers are usually owner-operated and focus on custom jewelry and pieces for the general public. Large retailers may or may not do many custom pieces and often focus on mass-market appeal.

Take the Next Step

Find a business mentor

One of the greatest resources an entrepreneur can have is quality mentorship. As you start planning your business, connect with a free business resource near you to get the help you need.

Having a support network in place to turn to during tough times is a major factor of success for new business owners.

Learn from other business owners

Want to learn more about starting a business from entrepreneurs themselves? Visit Startup Savant’s startup founder series to gain entrepreneurial insights, lessons, and advice from founders themselves.

Resources to Help Women in Business

There are many resources out there specifically for women entrepreneurs. We’ve gathered necessary and useful information to help you succeed both professionally and personally:

  • Funding
  • Events
  • Guides
  • Support

If you’re a woman looking for some guidance in entrepreneurship, check out this great new series Women in Business created by the women of our partner Startup Savant.

How and when to build a team

If you already have training in metalwork and gemology, then you probably don’t need to hire help outside of an accountant and other support staff. However, if you’re a first-generation jewelry store owner, at minimum you need staff with gemological training and experience working with, buying, and selling precious metals.

Useful Links

Industry Opportunities

Real World Examples

Further Reading

Entrepreneur Interviews

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