How does a gems and jewelry broker work?
My business is a shop, but it is not really a store. This simply means that, for the very most part, all the many items that pass through my hands do not belong to me. In other words, I hold no (or almost no) inventory. Some of it is on consignment from local private owners, occasionally it is from private owners out of state, or it is on loan (or "memo," as it is called, short for memorandum of agreement) from wholesale sources. These items from wholesalers can either be new or used ("estate," meaning they have belonged to private individuals).
A broker puts buyer and seller together; he charges a fee for this service. Yes, it is a form of retail, because the buyer is purchasing for private use, that is, not for resale, still, brokerage is as much the sale of a service as of a product. When it is carried out in its highest form, it is far more a service, in the sense of providing an extraordinary degree of information, leading to exactly the right item, at a lower price and therefore higher value than someone who takes the gamble of keeping inventory on hand.
Although I certainly do sell from my showcases, even more is brought in on approval. This simply means you get to see it before making a decision. If you like it, you can buy it; if not, I return it. Sometimes, there is a premium built into my cost for this right of return, payable only if I sell the item. This means I must shop to find the lowest cost for an item that meets your needs, and also that I be willing to accept a lower fee in order to provide you with the greatest value. .
I often say that I lead by following. This just means that I look and listen to find out what kind of jewelry you want and need. How will you wear your new piece of jewelry? How often? How long? What is your sense of style and beauty? Are you tall or short? What are your strong features? How can the jewelry best flatter you? .JPG)
The language in which we communicate with each other can vary according to the kind of item you are considering. Sometimes we look at auction catalogs for examples of the best in jewelry design. Trade magazines and catalogs from wholesale sources, and of course, websites, all provide resources for discussing your preferences. Sometimes I provide a rendering of a proposed design, or I work with a jeweler who is skilled at computer aided design to develop an illustration, which also serves as the blueprint in computer aided manufacture.
Most of the time, custom manufacture utilizes the lost-wax casting method, so a wax model of your item is often available before it is completed, giving you a chance to make changes to the final product. Or, if hand-made, you can view the item in progress at critical junctures.
Diamonds and other gemstones have their own languages. The grading systems for describing their appearance and quality require an interpreter, so to speak, and different clients have different requirements as to the level they wish to learn about them. In the end, they all come down to the familiar four C's: color, clarity, cutting and carat weight. Here, it is necessary to discuss your quality requirements and budget, and then to bring actual stones in for you to view. It's always important to see more than one candidate, ideally at least three, in order for you to get an idea of the spectrum of choices available.
So, all told, I am a gems and jewelry broker, with some design sense, gemological expertise, and objectivity about value. The more specialized the item you're considering to acquire, the more appropriate it is to use a broker. Please consider me for the rarest, most durable, most beautiful items.
Hosted
by JewelersSites.com
©
2001-2007 Scott Gordon Jeweller Gemmologist
