Jewelry workshop making for shops and wholesale

Independent boutiques, galleries, museum and gift shops, wholesale buyers and some direct customers or custom orders.

Wholesale orders at roughly half of retail price, plus higher-margin retail and custom commissions, with a few repeat accounts providing steady work.

• Solid jewelry bench skills, including casting or stone setting
• Producing consistent batches to a deadline
• Selling and following up with shop buyers
• Costing and inventory control

• Check zoning and any business license for a workshop with your city or county
• Get general liability insurance and cover for tools and precious metal stock, and check theft cover
• Metal prices change, so review your prices regularly
• Retailers may pay on terms or take work on consignment, which can strain cash flow
• Follow FTC Jewelry Guides on metal and stone claims, and check state hallmarking or marking rules
• Casting, torches and chemicals need proper ventilation, storage and safety equipment

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your equipment, workshop space and metal stock. Casting, torches and chemicals need proper ventilation, storage and safety equipment, so allow for those. Metal prices change, so review your prices regularly.

Check zoning and any business license for a workshop with your city or county. Follow the FTC Jewelry Guides on metal and stone claims, and check state hallmarking or marking rules. Get general liability insurance and cover for tools and precious metal stock.

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on your line, batch size and how many shops you supply. These are revenue estimates, not profit. Retailers may pay on terms or take work on consignment, which can strain cash flow.