February 15, 2008 4:43 PM,  Colleen Shirazi said...

They do have the prices up...you have to register with them to view them. Likely you'd have to show a business license to register (looks to be a wholesaler site).

Hence the price may not be as high as it would appear. One of the reasons wholesalers don't like to reveal prices is there is a lot of markup involved, particularly in the jewelry business. Some of it is justifiable, if you consider overhead such as insurance, but jewelers tend to sell fantasy as much as actual value.

They're nice stones, for sure.

February 16, 2008 3:39 PM,  Colleen Shirazi said...

That didn't come out right? Consumers don't see the expenses of running a business...if they saw the wholesale price of something, they may consider the retail price of the finished product a rip-off. But then you have rent or mortgage, property taxes, insurance, bond, license, utilities, salaries, health insurance and other benefits, advertising, software, computers, the accountant, tools and materials.

It would be interesting to know how much loose stones cost wholesale.

February 16, 2008 3:48 PM,  Dain said...

No, it makes sense to me. Even if they use the finest silks, from the best looms in Lyon, the cost of couture is more about the maker than the materials.