How to Price Custom Earring Projects: Collections & Price Lists

I have been working on this all month and I am still not done, but given the insane number of custom orders I get, it is high time that I release some price lists.  As many of you know, quotes can take time.  Here are some reasons.

1. Metal weights differ.  E.g. 14 K gold is 1.3 times as heavy as silver.  So even if I have a casting of an item, if it is not the metal the customer wants I have to look up a conversion table and do the math.

2. Diamond sizes, number, and quality really matter.  If I use 15 1.2mm diamonds, GH/VS, that is a totally different price from using 20 1.3mm EF/VS.  Multiplication takes time, so if the customer asks for one diamond size but then another to save, there many combinations and quotes I can make.  But each takes time so I need to narrow it down or simply ask for a budget.

3. If I don’t actually have the item (i.e. it has to be made from scratch) I have to ESTIMATE.  Yes, I can calculate the metal weight from a CAD file but if no CAD file has been made because the customer has not yet commissioned it – and hence I have to paid to have it made – then I need to guess.  And I am going to guess in my favor so I don’t lose money.  Also, the number of 1.2 mm diamonds needed to surround a 9x7mm center is different from the number of .8mm diamonds needed to surround a 6mm round.  So if the customer doesn’t know what they want and ask for 6 quotes, I can get tied down for 2 hours, and I don’t usually have that kind of time.  I make it if I can, or I just eyeball it. (So if I get frustrated with you, that's why, lol.)

This probably explains why when you go to a jewelry store to get something made you are quoted a high price.  Not only does the jeweler have to cover himself or herself, but also, they have to get paid for the time it takes to get the quotes right and make you happy.  And assuming that many people want estimates and then walk away, more time has to be calculated for the paying customers.

That said, what can you do to save time and do your own math?  Work from existing ideas and get a price list.  From me.  So let me do just that.  Of course each price list also takes time, but here is one with just my silver items, working off of the basics.

Scroll Earrings 5mm

Channel Wire Earring with Extra Diamond

Petal Earrings for 3mm Stone

Hexagon Stud for 3mm Stone

This is my price list for earrings, the most common studs and danglies,  Prices are including setting and polishing but NOT INCLUDING STONES.

Type	Stone Shape	Stone Size	Setting	14 Karat Gold	Sterling or Argentium
Scroll Stud	Round	4mm	4 prong	$150.00	$50.00
Scroll Stud	Round	5mm	4 prong	$170.00	$55.00
Scroll Stud	Round	5mm	6 prong	$190.00	$55.00
Scroll Stud	Round	6mm	4 prong	$200.00	$55.00
Scroll Stud	Round	6mm	6 prong	$230.00	$60.00
Hexagon Stud	Round	3mm	Pave	$180.00	$50.00
Hexagon Stud	Round	4mm	Pave	$240.00	$55.00
Hexagon Stud	Round	5mm	Pave	$240.00	$60.00
Hexagon Stud	Round	6mm	Pave	$300.00	$70.00
Martini Bezel Stud	Round	3mm	Bezel	$130.00	$30.00
Martini Bezel Stud	Round	3.5mm	Bezel	$140.00	NA
Martini Bezel Stud	Round	4mm	Bezel	$150.00	$30.00
Martini Bezel Stud	Round	5mm	Bezel	$180.00	$30.00
Martini Bezel Stud	Round	6mm	Bezel	$240.00	NA
Trillion Prong Petal	Trillion	5mm	Trillion Prong	$250.00	$90.00
Small Flower Stud	Round		Pave	$350.00	NA
Large Flower Stud	Round		Pave	$520.00	NA
Small Flower Dangle With Kite Connector	Round		Pave	$600.00	NA
Kite Dangle	Round	3mm	Pave	$345.00	$70.00
Kite Dangle	Round	4mm	Pave	$420.00	$80.00
Kite Dangle	Round	5mm	Pave	$420.00	$80.00
Petal Dangle	Round	3mm	Pave	$160.00	$70.00
Channel Wire Dangle	Pear or Oval	Any	Channel Wire Earrings	$440.00	NA

Hexagon Danglies with French Hooks

4 Flower Dangly with Petal Accent and Leverbacks

Large Petal Studs

3mm Petal Danglies with Hexagon and Diamond Accent