1 November 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Start a Silver Jewelry Brand?
A first silver jewelry collection can start from about USD 500 with catalogue designs, or from about 100 pieces with your own. Worked examples and the costs people forget.
You can start a silver jewelry brand with about USD 500 of stock if you use a manufacturer's existing designs, or with roughly USD 1,400 to 2,800 if you have 5 of your own designs made at 20 pieces each. The main costs are the jewelry itself, samples, plating, shipping and import duty, plus your own packaging, photos and website. The biggest decision is whether you need your own designs from day one.
Those are our own numbers from Ruvolla, a 925 sterling silver manufacturer in Istanbul. Other factories set different minimums, so use the method below to compare them.
Two ways to start, and what each costs
| Catalogue designs with your logo | Your own designs | |
|---|---|---|
| Minimum | 5 pieces per design, first order from USD 500 | 20 pieces per design |
| Typical first order | 4 to 7 designs, 18 to 35 pieces | 5 designs, 100 pieces |
| Rough stock budget | About USD 500 | About USD 1,400 to 2,800 |
| Tooling | None | No modelling or mould fee on production orders of 20+ per design |
| Optional sample | Free brass sample, you pay shipping; paid 925 sample | USD 70 to 120 per design, kept as balance against your order |
| Logo stamp | Confirmed with your order | Free of charge |
| Exclusive to you | No | Yes |
How we worked these out. Most catalogue designs cost about USD 14 to 28 per piece, depending on weight. USD 500 at those prices buys about 18 to 35 pieces, which at 5 per design is 4 to 7 designs. For the second route, 100 pieces at the same prices comes to USD 1,400 to 2,800. That is a planning figure, not a quote, because custom pieces are priced on their own weight, stones and finish. Heavy pieces and thick plating cost more, and lighter designs cost less.
What actually moves the price
- Weight. Silver jewelry is priced by the gram, so a design that is 2 g lighter is directly cheaper. Our guide to silver jewelry price per gram shows how the price is built.
- Plating. Standard gold plating is included in our catalogue prices. Stated micron plating costs extra, and the micron guide explains which thickness suits which price point. For most daily-wear collections, 0.10 to 0.50 micron gives the best value.
- Stones. More stones mean more setting work. Cubic zirconia is available in AAA and 5A grades at different prices.
- Ring sizes. Rings multiply your stock, because each size needs its own pieces. Many new brands start with adjustable rings, necklaces and earrings for that reason.
The costs people forget
| Cost | What to plan for |
|---|---|
| Shipping | Express courier, priced by weight. For example, about EUR 15 to 25 per box to the UK. We confirm the exact cost on your proforma. |
| Import duty and VAT | Paid by you on delivery, and set by your own country. Ask your courier or a customs broker. |
| Hallmarking | Depends on your market. In the UK, silver pieces over 7.78 g need a UK hallmark before sale. |
| Packaging | Plain or logo boxes from a packaging company. We can get you a price from our partners. |
| Photos | For designs you order from us, we send high-resolution concept photos free of charge. For your own designs, plan a shoot. |
| Website and marketing | Your own budget. Don't spend all your money on stock and leave nothing to tell people about it. |
A sensible first budget
If you are testing an idea, keep the first order small enough that a slow start won't hurt the business.
- Under about USD 1,000: start with catalogue designs and your logo. You find out what sells, and you can move to your own designs later. See private label jewelry.
- About USD 2,000 to 4,000: make 3 to 5 of your own designs and fill in the range with catalogue pieces. Your signature designs stay exclusive, and the rest of the range sells alongside them.
- Above that: a full custom collection. Keep it to 4 to 8 designs even so. A focused range is easier to photograph, explain and reorder.
Our step-by-step guide to starting a jewelry brand with a manufacturer covers design and sampling in more detail.
Frequently asked questions
What is the minimum investment for a silver jewelry brand?
With us, the smallest start is a first order of USD 500 from our catalogue, at 5 pieces per design. Your own designs start at 20 pieces per design, so plan on more than that.
Is it cheaper to make jewelry in Turkey or China?
Compare the same piece at the same weight, plating thickness and stones, and include shipping and duty. For scale, most of our catalogue pieces cost about USD 14 to 28.
Do I have to pay for moulds?
Not on production orders of 20 pieces or more per design. If you want a physical sample first, modelling and mould are charged once at USD 70 to 120 depending on the piece, and that amount stays on your account as a balance against your order.
Can I start a jewelry brand without my own designs?
Yes. Many labels start with existing designs, their own logo and strong photos. The trade-off is that other shops can buy the same designs.
Can I pay in instalments?
New accounts pay in advance by bank transfer or card, in USD or EUR. Starting with a small order is the usual way to keep the first payment low.
Get a real number
Send your sketches or files to help@ruvolla.com or WhatsApp +90 540 281 15 53, with the quantity per design, and we will reply with a per-piece price. To see catalogue prices, apply for a trade account.
