What should you be paying

What should you be paying?

If you make jewelry, you most likely buy components in a somewhat bulk fashion. If you generally spend between $200-$1000 each time you order supplies, then you are like me. That's not $1000 for one item (for which you'd get a killer deal, though… on that ONE item), it's usually divided up among 10-20 items. Better deals are to be had when buying in bulk, but I don't need $50,000 worth of inventory sitting around. I seem to generally go for the middle price-break when purchasing. Not the minimum, not the maximum.

That being said, these tables (updated when necessary) can help give you an idea of the going rate of certain items.

Why do I have this page?

So that others who buy components online (or in stores) can get an idea if they're paying too much or getting a good deal for their supplies. If it looks like they've been paying too much, they can do some research and try to find better dealers. If it looks like they've been getting a good deal, they know they don't need to waste time looking for a better deal… AND if they're paying less than these prices, they may want to investigate to make sure they are buying authentic and quality components. I have purchased really bad quality Bali beads. I have purchased fake Swarovski crystals. Sigh… The dealers I use now were discovered by me through trial and error and are ones I feel 100% safe with.

Will I tell you WHERE you can find these prices?

No, so don't ask. Why? Because I'm willing to share information to give jewelry makers an idea if they're getting a good deal or if they're being ripped off, but I'm not willing to help them skip an important step in the process of jewelry making. There are many things one can learn along the way when researching suppliers and if you just take the answers without understanding the questions, it's like digesting food without ever having tasted it. Research and learning are fun and a huge part of jewelry making. Embrace each step.

Okay, so on with it:

Last updated: 2-26-09

Swarovski Crystal Beads & Components	Price (per each)
8mm rounds (style 5000) Most colors with AB x1	39¢
8mm round (style 5000) Crystal ABx1	31¢
6mm rounds (style 5000) Most colors with AB x1	22¢
6mm round (style 5000) Crystal ABx1	19¢
4mm rounds (style 5000) Most colors with AB x1	14¢
4mm round (style 5000) Crystal ABx1	12¢
8mm bicones (style 5301) Most colors with AB x1	26¢
8mm bicone (style 5301) Crystal ABx1	22¢
6mm bicones (style 5301) Most colors with AB x1	14¢
6mm bicone (style 5301) Crystal ABx1	11¢
4mm bicones (style 5301) Most colors with AB x1	6¢
4mm bicone (style 5301) Crystal ABx1	5¢
Headpins	Price (per each)
Sterling Silver 22g 2"	18¢
Sterling Silver 22g 1½"	14¢
Sterling Silver 22g 1"	10¢
Sterling Silver 24g 2"	11¢
Sterling Silver 24g 1½"	8¢
Sterling Silver 24g 1"	6¢
Sterling Silver 26g 2"	12¢
14k Gold-Fill 22g 2"	32¢
14k Gold-Fill 22g 1½"	28¢
14k Gold-Fill 22g 1"	20¢
14k Gold-Fill 24g 2"	24¢
14k Gold-Fill 24g 1½"	21¢
14k Gold-Fill 24g 1"	15¢
14k Gold-Fill 26g 2"	21¢
Argentium 24g 2"	60¢
Sterling Silver Wire	Price (per foot – per inch)
Ounce = ~$19.00
Round Dead Soft 26g	$0.25 – $0.02
Round Dead Soft 24g	$0.39 – $0.03
Round Dead Soft 22g	$0.61 – $0.05
Round Dead Soft 20g	$0.99 – $0.08
Round Dead Soft 18g	$1.57 – $0.13
Round Dead Soft 16g	$2.51 – $0.21
Round Dead Soft 14g	$4.10 – $0.34
Round Dead Soft 12g	$6.28 – $0.52
14k Gold-Fill Wire	Price (per foot – per inch)
Ounce = ~$46.00
Round Dead Soft 26g	$0.54 – $0.04
Round Dead Soft 24g	$0.84 – $0.07
Round Dead Soft 22g	$1.32 – $0.11
Round Dead Soft 20g	$2.20 – $0.18
Round Dead Soft 18g	$3.42 – $0.28
Round Dead Soft 16g	$4.73 – $0.39
Argentium	Price (per foot – per inch)
Ounce = ~$20.00
Round Soft 20g	$1.03 – $0.09
Round Soft 24g	$0.41 – $0.03

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