How to Sell Jewelry on Etsy

Introduction

At first glance, Etsy might seem like the place that only sells artisan and handmade items. However, in the dynamic world of e-commerce, jewelry businesses are discovering a unique and flourishing marketplace on Etsy for a multitude of price ranges.

This “secret” jewelry corner of Etsy is filled with manufacturers, wholesalers, retailers, and vintage & antique dealers.

Speaking from personal experience, we see jewelers consistently selling items from a couple of hundred dollars to $30,000+.

With its global reach and a community of millions of jewelry collectors, Etsy has become a haven for buyers seeking their next great find.

In this blog post, we'll delve into the compelling reasons why jewelry businesses should consider setting up shop on Etsy and show you how easy it is to get started selling jewelry on Etsy.

Why you should sell jewelry on Etsy

Selling jewelry on Etsy is a great idea for many reasons. Here are just a few:

Etsy has a huge and loyal customer base. Nowadays, people scroll Etsy like it’s Instagram. So there’s a high chance a customer might come across your jewelry without ever intentionally searching for it.
It is in Etsy’s interest to drive traffic to your store and encourage buyers to buy from you. After all, it is how they make money too.
Etsy’s algorithms and product feeds are optimized to feature relevant products based on buyers search history, previous purchases, and interests.
Another advantage of selling on Etsy is getting marketing and visibility without having to spend the effort and money on it. It is in Etsy’s best interest for you to sell on their platform, so they spend a lot of money driving new and existing customers to their website and your store.
Lastly, Etsy has one of the lowest commission structures amongst jewelry marketplaces. It costs $0.20 to list an item and there’s a 6.5% transaction fee for each sale.

How much does it cost to sell jewelry on Etsy?

The cost of selling on Etsy is rather straight forward, although your location and shipping fees can also have an effect.
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While there are no fees involved in having an Etsy account, you will be charged a one-time fee of $0.20 per item when you list products for sale (this is called 'listing' fees). Etsy charges a 6.5% fee for each sale, including the total cost of the item, shipping, and gift wrapping. So, if you sell something for $100, the fee would be $6.50.

Besides that, the other costs you might encounter are your shipping fees. While most sellers offer free shipping on Etsy, you can also choose to charge the buyer for shipping. This applies to both domestic and international shipping.

How to start selling jewelry on Etsy

The Quick Start Guide:

Create an Etsy account. You can sign up for free at https://www.etsy.com/sell
Go through the profile set-up process and fill in details like:
• Your Etsy store name and bio
• Your Etsy shop preferences
• Your profile picture and banner
• A few Etsy listings (you can do this later)
• Your banking information to receive payments
Set up your store’s payment, shipping, and return policies. You'll need to decide:
• What forms of payment you will accept and your cancellation policy
• What your domestic shipping policies are, which carrier services you use, and whether you want to offer free shipping or charge a fee
• Whether or not you offer international shipping, which carrier services you use and how much it costs
• The time frame for handling and delivery (1-3 days is typical)
• Any additional charges such as custom duties or taxes that may apply for international shipments
• Whether you accept returns and, if so, what is the time frame (14 days is typical)
Once all of this is done, you can add jewelry products to your Etsy store. There are two ways:
• You can upload each product individually by using the "+Add a listing" button. For each product, you will have to write the title, description, upload pictures, and then manually fill in all the item specifications.
• You can use a tool like Uploadify to automatically bulk upload your jewelry products to Etsy with all the images, descriptions, product specifications, and SEO-optimized tags automatically filled out for you.

Keep reading for more details on how to properly list jewelry products on Etsy and optimize your listings to drive sales.

The Step-by-step Guide:

Step 1: Create your Etsy jewelry store

The first thing you need to do is go to https://www.etsy.com/sell and create a seller (business) account. You need to have a seller account in order to be able to sell jewelry on Etsy.
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The Etsy seller account gives you access to all of the tools and features that you need to upload your products, organize your store, connect with customers, and manage orders.

Next, add your shop name. This should be your brand/company name and describe the nature of your business.

Then, add a profile picture and a banner image that will sit at the top of your store’s home page. We recommend using a high resolution, eye-catching graphics with your logo. For Etsy banners, you have two options:

For the big banner, you should use an image size of 3360 x 840 pixels, and a minimum of 1200 x 300 pixels
You also have the option to use mini-banners, which will create more space on the page to display listings. The size for mini-banners is 1200 x 160 pixels. Please note that mini-banners will not be shown on mobile devices.

Next, you need to fill out the legal information about your business, which can include tax ID, company name and address, contact details, etc.

You will also need to provide Etsy with basic banking information so they can send you your payments.

Lastly, you want to fill out the “About” section. Here you can upload videos, images, and write a story about your jewelry company. Don’t skip on this! The “About” section helps buyers learn more about your brand and connect on a personal level.

Don’t forget to include any relevant social media links or contact information, so buyers know where they can go if they have questions or want to follow you on your journey.

Step 2: Set up your payment, shipping, and return policies

To establish your Etsy store successfully, it's crucial to define clear payment and shipping policies. To set up these policies, head over to your Shop Manager and click on “Settings”.

First, decide on the forms of payment you'll accept and establish your cancellation policy. Clearly communicate whether you'll be accepting major credit cards, PayPal, or other payment methods.

Next, outline your domestic shipping policies, specifying which carrier services you'll utilize and determining whether you'll offer free shipping or charge a fee. Additionally, clearly state the timeframe for handling and delivery; a typical duration is 1-3 days.

For international shipping, decide whether you'll provide this option, outline the carrier services involved, and specify the associated costs. Be transparent about any additional charges, such as customs duties or taxes, that may apply to international shipments.

Lastly, decide on your approach to returns—whether you accept them—and if so, specify the time frame, with 14 days being a common duration.

This comprehensive approach ensures clarity for both you and your customers.

Step 3: Take great jewelry photos

A picture is worth a thousand words. Probably more, when it comes to jewelry. Before you upload any jewelry to Etsy, you want to make sure you have a number of great product pictures ready.

Here are just a few tips, but if you’d like to read an extensive guide then check out our blog on How To Take The Best Jewelry Product Photos.

For best results, use a DSLR camera and macro lens. A DSLR camera can help you create sharper, more vibrant images than a point-and-shoot. You'll also want to invest in a macro lens (if you don't already have one), which will allow you to capture the details of your jewelry in all their glory.
If you don’t have a professional camera, a smartphone with a good camera, like an iPhone, can usually do the trick. Just be sure to set up good lighting and a good background.
Take photos in natural light. Sunlight is best for photographing jewelry because it helps capture crisp details and beautiful reflections. However, if there isn't any direct sunlight available where you're shooting, try using an LED light or two lamps instead; just make sure they aren't too harsh or unflattering when they hit your subject.

Step 4: Add products to your Etsy store

To add your jewelry products to your Etsy store, go to “Shop Manager” at the top of your screen and click "+Add a listing". Then fill out each field with relevant information:

First, you have to tell Etsy what kind of product this is, who made it, and when it was made.
Next, fill in the Product Title. Choose a good, descriptive title that best represents this jewelry product.
Then, upload your jewelry photos. You can upload up to 10 images. If you’d like, you can also include a short video.
For the Description, write a description that tells customers what they should expect from this item and why they would want it. More so, this is a good place to get creative and tell a story about this piece of jewelry. Effective product descriptions infuse the product with a distinct personality, showcase intricate design details, and captivate the buyer's interest, encouraging them to continue reading. This is an ideal space to seamlessly blend creativity with specific details such as stone types, carat weights, materials, and more. Providing comprehensive information about your item is essential for potential buyers to make informed decisions about their purchase. If your product description is limited to a few basic lines, it may not distinguish itself from the rest. Enhance your chances of attracting attention and making sales by offering a rich and detailed description of your product. You can also include any additional details about how you make or source your products here as well.
Enter your Price, Quantity, and SKU number. We recommend doing some research beforehand and setting prices based on what other similar jewelry products sell for on Etsy. You don't want yours priced too high or too low compared with others'. Using SKU numbers is also a best practice since it will help you stay organized, especially if you’re not just selling on Etsy.
Now, fill out all the item specifications. This is an incredibly important part of the process and you want to make sure you’re filling in as many relevant fields as possible. This way, buyers can quickly see everything they need to know about your jewelry. It also increases the chances of your products of being found when buyers use search and filters on Etsy.
Afterwards, you want to shift your focus to the “Tags” field. Etsy tags allow you to include brief keywords/phrases about your jewelry that help buyers discover your products. Be sure to use relevant Etsy tags, including those specific to your niche or type of jewelry. You should aim to input as many tags as you can. Thirteen is the maximum amount.
Lastly, choose the Shipping and Return policies you defined in the beginning.
Press “Publish” to publish this item for sale on Etsy or click “Save as draft” in case you’d like to finish it later.

Listing jewelry products on Etsy can become really complicated really fast, and require a lot of time and effort from you.

Whether you’re just starting to sell jewelry on Etsy or are an established seller, Uploadify can be a great tool to help you save time and optimize your product listings.

With Uploadify, you can automatically bulk upload jewelry products to Etsy with all the images, descriptions, specifications, and SEO-optimized tags automatically filled out.

Want to learn more about Uploadify for Etsy? Request a demo here.

Provide top-notch customer service

Etsy buyers have the ability to message sellers to ask for more information about your jewelry products or their existing orders. It is important that you monitor your Etsy messages regularly and reply to inquiries promptly.

Not only will this help you deliver a better customer experience and ensure you’re not missing out on any sales, but also help boost your seller ranking and reputation on Etsy.

Ship quickly and safely

Ship on time and make sure you’re adhering to your handling time policy. If someone pays extra for expedited shipping, make sure you’re honoring their request and fulfilling the order in a timely manner.

Choose a good shipping service and insure your packages if needed. This can help add a layer of protection for you and your buyers.

Packaging is the first thing your customers will see, so it's important to make sure it's secure and nicely put together. People buy jewelry for the beauty and it’s a best-practice to ensure your packaging is on par.

Lastly, your package should come with a tracking number to help your customer follow their order and, if anything gets lost in transit, easily track down its location.

What is the most popular jewelry to sell on Etsy?

The most popular jewelry items to sell on Etsy are rings, necklaces, bracelets and earrings.

There are a ton of sellers on Etsy, so it is always best if there is something unique and special about your jewelry.

That’s why one-of-a-kind, antique, and vintage jewelry is very popular on Etsy and drives a great amount of sales.

Can you make money selling jewelry on Etsy?

You can definitely make money selling jewelry on Etsy. You just have to follow the best practices in this guide.

Be sure to properly set up your Etsy store and provide detailed information about your brand to entice customers to explore your shop.

Be mindful of the jewelry products you’re uploading to Etsy, be sure to use great jewelry photos, write detailed descriptions, fill out all the Etsy jewelry specifications, and use relevant tags.

It goes without saying that you should strive to deliver the best customer experience to ensure satisfied buyers, motivate them to buy from you again and write positive reviews, and boost your Etsy seller ranking.

To ensure you’re using your time as efficiently as possible, use a tool like Uploadify to automatically upload jewelry to Etsy. Not only does Uploadify reduce the amount of time you spend uploading jewelry products, but it also optimizes your Etsy listings for better discoverability and sales success.

Conclusion

In conclusion, selling jewelry on Etsy can be a great opportunity for businesses of all sizes, from small brands to manufacturers, wholesalers, and vintage and antique dealers.

Etsy is a thriving marketplace that offers a diverse customer base and global reach, allowing jewelers to showcase their products ranging from a couple of hundred dollars to high-end pieces exceeding $40,000. With Etsy's modern technology, marketing efforts, and cost-effective commission structure, it is an appealing platform for many jewelers.

With proper setup, attention to detail, and adherence to best practices, making money selling jewelry on Etsy is not only achievable but can be a rewarding venture. Whether you're just starting out or are an established seller, Etsy offers a thriving marketplace to showcase and sell your jewelry.

By leveraging tools like Uploadify, Etsy jewelry sellers can efficiently manage their time while maximizing their presence on this vibrant e-commerce platform, automatically uploading products in bulk, and optimizing listings for better discoverability.

If you have any questions, need help with starting to sell jewelry on Etsy, or would like a consultation about your current process - don’t hesitate to reach out to our team of experts.

If you want to automate this process - check out Uploadify.