Jewelers of America

Given the international nature of the industry, jewelry wholesalers are essential to the sustainability of a supply chain. They serve as a vital connection between manufacturers and retail merchants, selling large quantities of jewelry-related goods to the latter. Wholesale companies may range from one- or two-person offices to large, international firms.

Key Skills

• Must be comfortable meeting new people, both in person and via email, online chat, or social media
• Good at relationship-building and problem-solving
• Need to be organized, persistent, and good at numbers as well as people
• Maintain the role as brand expert and leader in all aspects including trends that can be shared with clients across the country
• Good at networking
• Excellent at negotiating with clients to achieve favorable terms and conditions

Possible Job Titles in this Pathway

• Jewelry Wholesaler
• Import Manager
• Shipping/Receiving Clerk
• Inventory Control
• Diamond Dealer
• Colored Stone Dealer
• Finished Jewelry Supplier
• Mountings & Findings Supplier
• Estate Jewelry Dealer
• Jewelry Equipment Supplier
• Trade Show Specialist
• Wholesale Representative

Experience & Training

• Retail or wholesale jewelry trade or customer service experience for entry- level positions. Computer skills are necessary.
• Significant trade experience for outside sales reps.
• Formal education in business and gemology may be necessary.
• Relevant training and trade experience for jewelers and production staff.
• Production experience, bench skills, fiscal management and marketing experience, and facility with computers are typically expected of those in management.

On the Job

Usually, if you work for a wholesaler, you will be an outside sales representative or do the same kind of job you might find in any import/export or consumer-goods company: in-house customer service representative, shipping/ receiving clerk, inventory control, quality assurance or product management tech, webmaster, or bookkeeper/accounts clerk. Outside sales reps often have heavy travel schedules and many are self-employed, making this an ideal field for someone who wants their own business.

Growing in the Industry

Office and administrative positions can lead to sales or management, especially in larger companies. Success at inside or outside sales can take people into marketing or sales management and many representatives use their expertise and contacts to start their own companies. Other career tracks include working with factories in overseas locations, moving to sales, inventory administration, or buying within an independent jewelry store or a large multinational company.