Online loose diamond dealer

Independent jewelers and designers who need stones without holding stock, and private buyers looking for a ring stone at a fair price.

You earn the margin between your wholesale cost and your selling price on each stone, sometimes plus a fee for sourcing a specific stone on request.

• Grading knowledge (cut, color, clarity, carat)
• Negotiating with suppliers and buyers
• Building trust and clear communication
• Careful record keeping

• Anti-money laundering rules: check whether your purchase and sale volumes require a compliance program under federal rules for dealers in precious stones
• FTC Jewelry Guides on describing diamonds, including clear disclosure of lab-grown versus natural and any treatments
• Conflict diamond sourcing: check suppliers' policies and paperwork
• Jewelers block or inventory insurance for stones in transit and storage, as general liability alone may not cover them
• Sales tax registration and resale certificates: check with your state
• Fraud risk when shipping and taking large payments, so use insured shipping and secure payment methods
• Margins can be thin and stock can lose value, so keep inventory small at first

Estimates suggest startup costs typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on how much stock you hold, insurance and your website. Margins can be thin and stock can lose value, so keep inventory small at first.

Check whether your volumes require an anti-money laundering compliance program under federal rules for dealers in precious stones. Also check FTC Jewelry Guides on describing diamonds, including lab-grown versus natural, and sales tax registration with your state.

Estimated monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on stock, supplier terms and how many jewelers and private buyers you reach. Estimates suggest a minimum of around 15 hours a week.