Jewelry Makers - Don't Forget! Quality Counts!!!!!

Beaded jewelry has become very popular in America over the past 15 years and beads are being made out of every type of stone, glass, plastic and organic material that can be found. thousands of distributors sell beads of all kinds, precious stones to shells. It is a business that has become very profitable.

You would think having a glutton of suppliers would mean good competitive prices and lots of choices of good quality material and it certainly looks that way if you go to many of the large shows such as the Tucson gem and mineral show or the G&LW Wholesalers show. Also many retail stores and web stores have more material then you have time to look at.

The problem with so many choices is that quality is hard to find. Yesterday I was at the G&LW inc wholesalers show in Tucson Arizona. Tables were overflowing with beautiful strands of pearls, stone beads, precious metal beads, shell beads and glass beads. Hundreds of vendors vying for a sale. Signs everywhere promoting beads for $2-$3 a strand.

As I stood there viewing a crowded table I was amazed at the frenzy of people filling their trays as a woman behind a table literally threw strands on the jumbled pile already displayed. As I looked closer I noticed may strands of beads were dulled by rubbing on each other, cracked corners and deep scratches could visibly be seen. Yet the price, oh that wonderfully low price seemed to have captured the crowd and led them beyond all consciousness.

hmmmm. I wandered on and seriously starting viewing every table. I became obsessed and instead of purchasing I went to every table I could and observed the treatment of the product by the seller and also viewed prices. I was amazed at the indifference,rough handling and some dishonesty I found in a portion of the vendors that were on site. After I made the rounds I went back and started comparing in my mind the cost and actual usable product from some of the vendors that had such captivating prices.

Please keep in mind there were hundreds of vendors and I did not view all of them. Also please note the organizers of any show can not be held responsible for the actions of all the vendors nor do they do quality control it is up to the customer who is buying to make good choices.

With that said my final summation was this:
If your a jewelry artist QUALITY COUNTS don't go looking to spend very little on a lot and expect to make a ton of jewelry that will satisfy the high end jewelry lover.

Look for quality material and spend a little more money. Buy a little less and be more selective. I found the vendors that had their material in trays or on soft material and separated had a lot less damage to the pieces. Vendors that concentrated on a few varieties or a specific area of stone also seemed to have much better quality. I noticed vendors who stood or sat with their material and helped you move the large hanks treated their wares professionally and with care.
Also vendors that were willing to back up their product authenticity and quality with a money back guarantee had beads that really out shined the majority of the tables piled high.

I think jewelry artists should remember that people who love jewelry and purchase a lot of jewelry tend to spend a little more money for quality.

If your a jewelry artist and you are out there shopping for beads to make that perfect beaded jewelry piece step away from the ruse of "good material cheep" and find your way back to the guys with quality material. You will be happier with your end results and your customers will be a lot happier to. Your name as a bead artist will be more remembered when you produce quality work with quality product then just quality work alone.