These days it seems like there is a large gem and jewelry show just about everywhere, every few weeks. It can get overwhelming and very expensive! I’ve been to countless trade shows and learned the hard way that bigger does not equal better. The large shows are often full of vendors selling the same things for a wide variety of prices. Everything starts to look the same, to me, after about an hour strolling the aisles. After the first few shows, I started developing a shopping plan, which has helped immensely! I’ll start with what to bring along when you head to the bead show. Before you go, make a wish list, then do some price comparison online. You can haggle at a bead show!

• Wear comfortable shoes! The shows are often held in large expo halls with concrete floors. Wear comfy clothes, too, trust me on this.
• A rolling suitcase or backpack to carry your purchases. Size depends on how much you plan on buying.
• 10x jeweler’s loupe to look at higher end stones. Check for cracks which may include dye residue. Check the drill holes as well. Nothing is more frustrating than buying a strand, only to get it home and not be able to get your stringing material through it. Also, check for rough edges on the drill holes. Nothing kills a piece of jewelry quicker than rough beads grinding away at your stringing material.
• Digital jewelry scale. Most honest vendors will be more than happy to let you weigh their beads. Higher end stones are often priced by the gram. If you’re gonna be dropping hundreds of dollars on sapphire beads, you want to make sure you’re getting what you pay for. Ask them to take the decorative tassels off the strand before weighing it so you don’t pay for a bundle of colored thread!
• Small spray bottle full of soapy water and a white cotton dish towel. Dawn dish detergent is a good one to use. If you’re not sure about the color fastness of a stone, ask if you can spray a strand and wipe it off with the cloth. You’ll immediately see any color residue on your white towel. As I mentioned in my Gemstone Enhancement Guide, translucent stones are often given a final polish with a colored powder. This will always wash off easily, then you can use your loupe to really see the stone!
• Shopping list! Sounds obvious, right? Well, you’d be surprised how many people wander into a show with no idea what they want, and just “browse”. While this sounds great, it’s an easy way to part with a bunch of money really fast. Know what you want, find it, then compare prices before you make your final purchases. THEN go browsing.
• Don’t forget to get receipts and business cards and keep them with your purchases! I don’t know how many times I have purchased some really great beads, only to not be able to order more when I had no idea where they came from. Label them when you get them home!
• Notebook and pen for notes. You’ll see things you want to remember, trust me. Write down vendor names and items of interest for future reference.

Now, after all of that, here’s another tip. Find your local Gem and Mineral Society, join it, and participate. It’s an amazing resource that is often overlooked. The educational opportunities are endless! They even welcome the casual beader with open arms, so don’t feel intimidated.

My local gem and mineral society holds a yearly show that is now my favorite shopping trip of the year. In fact, it’s the only show I go to any more! The show has a heavy focus on the geology aspect of stones, and features a lot of lapidary artists and supplies along with several vendors who sell stone beads, specimens, and cabochons. Because it is a show full of lapidary/geology nuts, it’s easy to find good quality, accurately labeled beads. A bonus, if you don’t know what something is, I’ll guarantee that someone there DOES know, and will be more than happy to educate you.

Talk to the vendors, build relationships with the ones you trust, and stay in contact with them. Once you become a good customer, many will offer special deals, and even give you first dibs on new goodies they receive. Sign up for newsletters and mailing lists at the show. They’ll keep you up to date on future shows and sales.

Phew. That’s all for now. I’m sure there will be more as things filter through my mind and I remember other little tidbits in the future! Stay tuned!

Blessings.

Peace.

Joy

No Comments »

Trackback URI | Comments RSS