Making Custom Jewelry? 7 Useful Things You Should Know

Are you making custom jewelry? Here are seven top things you need to know so you can have a thriving business and happy customers.

Creating personalized jewelry can be a fantastic way to make money from your craft. You get to make one-of-a-kind pieces that fit your customers’ style to a tee.

And, while this can be incredibly rewarding, there are some things you should keep in mind. These tips will make your life easier, protect your time and money and can help you appear more professional.

Below are 7 things you should do when making custom jewelry.

7 Best Tips For Making Custom Jewelry

1. Take Measurements

When creating handmade custom jewelry, ensure it fits the customer perfectly. There are standard measurements that you could use but I highly recommend you take measurements and write them down clearly.

Even if the person only asks for a bracelet, it might still be a good idea to make a note of measurements for a necklace, ring etc. They may decide to get a complete set or another piece of jewelry at a different time. You’ll already have their details so there’ll be no need to worry about it later.

If you’re not in a position to measure the customer, let them to do it and send you the details.

2. Discuss Colors and Styles

Does your customer want specific colors in the custom-made jewelry? Do they prefer a particular style?

You’ll only know if you ask.

If you’re selling handmade jewelry online, show customers photos of pieces you’ve made. They can then select which style they like and you can go from there.

Make sure you have a candid discussion and you fully understand what they want before making anything. Otherwise, your customer may be unhappy in the end and you’ll have wasted time, supplies and money.

3. Get Customer Contact Information

Be sure you have an easy way to contact your customers.

This is important if you need to ask them a question or simply to let them know their jewelry has been completed.

Get their email address, phone number, shipping address and any other relevant details you might require.

4. Be Transparent

Be upfront with your customers. For example:

• Let them know what the final cost of the jewelry will be from the start.
• Will you require a deposit before you begin making anything?
• What forms of payment do you accept?

Tell your customers any other important information they need to know. No-one likes nasty surprises especially after you’ve paid for something.

5. Under-Promise and Over-Deliver

Give customers the best service you can.

One great way to do that when making custom jewelry is to provide a deadline for the finished product and then complete it early.

Tell customers the maximum time it will take for them to receive their jewelry but try to get it to them sooner, whenever possible. They’ll be pleasantly surprised and happy with your service.

6. Make Your Packaging Do Double Duty

Packaging usually functions to protect a product but it can do so much more. Not only should your packaging help to convey your business branding, it can also help customers find you in the future.

Include your contact information in your packaging. This can be as simple as slipping a business card inside or stamping your details on the jewelry box.

Word of mouth is one of the cheapest and most effective ways to bring in new business. Satisfied customers are more likely to pass on your information to their friends, family and colleagues so, make it easy for them to do this.

Here’s how to make handmade gift boxes for jewelry.

7. Have A Refund Policy

As hard as you might try, you can’t please everyone so for these unfortunate times, have a straightforward refund policy in place.

Maybe you won’t allow refunds for custom-made jewelry but whatever you choose, make that very clear to customers so they’re aware from the beginning.

If you’re making custom jewelry or planning to do it in the future, these tips should help make it easier.