The costume jewelry business produces mass-manufactured cheap, novelty earrings and goes all the way to pricey custom-designed costume jewelry, that can be worn to a presidential inauguration. There are 655 costume jewelry manufacturers in the US. China owns 50% of the costume jewelry market worldwide, which accounts for the lowered earnings experienced by US costume jewelry manufacturers.

Costume jewelry is categorized by the US government as "Costume Jewelry and Novelty Manufacturing." Costume jewelry supplies include semiprecious stones, precious metals, fabricated metals, pins and backings for its manufacturing process.

1. Costume jewelry manufacturers can be a one-designer shop as well as name-brand manufacturers with large markets such as Monet.

2. Costume jewelry includes earrings, necklaces, bracelets, brooches, pins, cuff links and and tie clasps.

3. The costume jewelry business places products in department stores, novelty shops, TV and internet shopping sources and small establishments such as hotel shops, card shops and dress shops.

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Get the overview on the costume jewelry industry

A costume jewelry industry overview requires looking at the facts and getting acquainted with the costume jewelry industry as a whole. It also helps see the products. Going to a costume jewelry trade show is important, too.

I recommend: The US Census report gives you the number and location of US costume jewelry manufacturers; (scroll down to 339914); it breaks down figures for monies paid for supplies, staff and final earnings. It's a bird's eye view of the market. International Fashion is non-profit trade organization that produces trade shows for costume jewelery companies. It is good resource for contact information on costume jewelry designers, manufacturers and wholesalers.

Discover some of the big costume jewelry wholesalers

Wholesale costume jewelry comes in all stripes. There are different markets and niches.

I recommend: Alamode Fashion Jewelry is a big B2B custom jewelry wholesaler. It markets less expensive costume jewelry, usually sold in discount stores. J Good-In is a manufacturer and wholesaler of wholesale costume jewelry with over 2,000 designs of rings, bracelets and earrings. As with all wholesalers, there is a minimum requirement for purchases.

Search for costume jewelry supplies

A costume jewelry manufacturer needs supplies to create jewelry. Gem stones are usually imported from China. But there are other American products that are used by fashion costume jewelry manufacturers.

I recommend: Created Diamonds makes its own brand of "diamonds" in an array of colors. Belmont Metals supplies jewelry alloys to the industry.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  A costume jewelry industry overview includes marketing techniques, product placements and other traditional forms of advertising. Where costume jewelry is positioned in a store or if it's used on the outfit of a mannequin can influence sales. Trends and fads are another influence on the costume jewelry industry. Talking to store buyers can be a help in that regard.

There are great business opportunities found in the costume jewelry industry. Costume jewelry appeals to buyers because they can buy trendy jewelry pieces that resemble the real thing.

The key to success in the costume jewelry industry is to network and offer desirable pieces to your clients. If you fail to stay on top of jewelry buying trends, your business will go under very quickly.

To launch your business, contact costume jewelry manufacturers and order costume jewelry supplies. Keep the following in mind before you start a costume jewelry business:

1. Decide on the pieces that you wish to carry. You want to choose between either cheaper costume jewelry or the more expensive replica and vintage costume jewelry designs.
2. Place a sample order for your costume jewelry business. You do not want to sell jewelry that you have never seen in person.
3. Choose a reliable costume jewelry manufacturer. You need to depend on this company to meet the needs and demands of your client base.
4. Purchase wholesale costume jewelry to make the most money from your business endeavor. You should never pay retail for any of your costume jewelry supplies. Work with a vendor to buy wholesale costume jewelry.

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Order costume jewelry pieces based on current buying trends

When you keep up to date on jewelry trends, then you'll have a better idea of what pieces will sell. Ask costume jewelry manufacturers to give you sales figures to guide you in your purchases.

I recommend: Quanta Bella Jewelry replicates many of its pieces after modern designer pieces. Check back regularly to see the new costume jewelry selections added to their catalog. Fashion Jewelry24 is another site that lists their current best selling costume jewelry pieces and collections.

Buy samples from costume jewelry manufacturers before placing your initial order

You need to invest in several different costume jewelry samples before you place your first orders through your supplier. You can use the samples to show to clients as well as to check the quality of the merchandise that you are investing in.

I recommend: Check out Bluebell Wholesale’s site to see if there are samples that you want to order for your customers. If you are looking for cheaper costume jewelry samples, then pick out a few items from Fire Mountain Gems.

Choose the costume jewelry wholesalers that give you the best price

If you like the samples that you have seen, work with a wholesale supplier of costume jewelry to get you a good price on their products. For wholesale distribution, you'll get a discount on bulk costume jewelry orders.

I recommend: Closeout Costume Jewelry will give you great wholesale prices on the pieces found in their inventory. For a wider selection, you may want to use Costume Jewelry Wholesale instead for your distribution needs.

Purchase custom costume jewelry after your initial launch

After you have built a client base, consider adding more selections to your inventory. Many customers may wish to add custom and vintage costume jewelry pieces to their collection. Provide them with this option at an additional fee.

I recommend: Get an initial quote from AT Designs on their custom costume jewelry offerings. Rates will vary once you place your final order. Find vintage costume jewelry selections at Vintage Costume Jewelry.com.

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• •  You need to set up your costume jewelry business to be operational before placing your initial orders. Print out order forms, get business cards and set up a promotional website.

Costume jewelry is sold in department stores, novelty shops, card shops, home shopping channels and over the Internet. Costume jewelry manufacturers began mass production around 1900. Due to its inexpensive materials, it accounts for more imaginative creations than "real" jewelry. Costume jewelry supplies include cut glass, imitation pearls and enamel. Base metals are used for clips and pins. Electroplating gives basic metals silver and gold tones.

Most costume jewelry is sold in department stores but also accounts for a lot of home-shopping sales. One third of costume jewelry is purchased as a gift and two thirds for individual use. The highest volume in sales for costume jewelry business is in earrings, followed by necklaces and pins. Business costume jewelry falls under the category of accessories and is used to complement dresses and outfits.

1. Costume jewelry isn't synonymous with cheap jewelry. It can be highly original and use real gems. Costume jewelry is both mass-produced and created by designers.

2. The costume jewelry business uses semi-precious stones, simulated diamonds, pearls and ivory for business and dress attire. Many costume jewelry supplies are imported from China.

3. Costume jewelry is a very popular purchase on holidays, including Christmas, Mother's Day and Valentine's Day.

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Find out more about department store costume jewelry

Costume jewelery can be made to look like real jewelry, such as a pearl necklace or gold bracelet. Wholesale costume jewelry from name manufacturers is bought by major department stores and sometimes factory outlets.

I recommend: Kenneth Jay Lane is an example of a high-end costume jeweler. His jewelry was worn by Jackie Onassis. This website requires registration for people interested in buying wholesale. Monet is another well-known manufacturer of costume jewelry, although not on the level of KJL. It is now owned by Liz Claiborne. Monet is sold in factory outlets, too.

Look at costume jewelry manufacturers for wholesale pricing

Costume jewelry manufacturers will sell quantities wholesale. They will sell to smaller businesses such as clothing shops, specialty stores and other retail establishments that use accessories. Many of these companies are owned by costume jewelry designers.

I recommend: Ben-Amun has original designs of costume jewelry using bright colors. Alexis Bittar is a designer and manufacturer of original costume jewelery -- these items have flair and style.

Get novelty costume jewelry on the holidays

Novelty costume jewelry is inexpensive and is created for holidays and consumer niche markets -- usually for young people. These types of costume jewelry sell quickly and are found in card shops, novelty and clothing shops, and even salons. These are very popular with girls, teens and coeds.

I recommend: Team-Zebra sells wholesale costume jewelry, specializing in holiday/novelty jewelry. You can order this costume jewelry online. Skullcats is a bit more expensive, but still fun, and uses silver in some of its jewelry.

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• •  Costume jewelry basics covers a range of styles. Southwestern jewelry is costume jewelry, as are other ethnic style jewelry. Custom costume jewelry can cost thousands of dollars, while novelty earrings can sell for as low as $2.

Like fine jewelry, costume jewelry has its own lingo. Key terms discuss the coloring, size, design and type of costume jewelry available. Other words let users know where and how to wear the jewelry piece. Common terms, such as paste, mean something completely different in the discussion of costume jewelry. In the world of manufacturing or distribution, it's important to have a knowledge of costume jewelry key terms so you can decorate your conversation appropriately.

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Cabochon

Cabochon refers to a round, smooth stone that has been worked and smoothed into a dome shape without facets; it features a flat back. It also can refer to this style of cut, which is en cabochon.

I recommend: Learn more about the features and details of a cabochon stone from Knowledge Rush.

Diamante

A diamante is a crystal or glass stone that has been faceted to highly reflect light. These stones are cut to closely resemble real gemstones. This stone is much cheaper in comparison to a diamond, but from a distance may not appear much different. This stone is also sometimes called a paste.

I recommend: Read two diamante definitions from Answers.

En tremblant

This is a style of making costume jewelry in which the design includes a small spring so that it wiggles and trembles when the person wearing it moves. These pieces, known as tremblants, are popular in holiday jewelry.

I recommend: Mimi.hu discusses en tremblant in terms of brooches and hair jewelry.

Jelly belly

This odd term refers to a pin in the design of an animal. In the middle of the animal pin is a clear or glass stone that represents its 'belly.'

I recommend: See more information about jelly belly jewelry from Guyot Brothers. Scroll down to see the jelly belly fish jewelry piece and read the paragraph above it for details.

Pendant

A pendant is a stone or piece of a necklace that hangs from the chain. A pendant is a separate piece that can be bought as a set with the chain or as an individual item.

I recommend: Look at Wise Geeks for descriptions about types of pendants.

Vermeil

Vermeil is sterling silver jewelry plated with gold. Vermeil is also known as silver gilt or gold wash, and it's a cheaper version of solid gold pieces. Most pieces of costume jewelry in the 1940s were made of vermeil.

I recommend: All Experts discusses the term vermeil in answering a reader's question.