Wholesale Jewellery for UK Shops: Buying Sterling Silver Direct from Istanbul

Why UK shops look beyond UK wholesalers

Search for wholesale jewellery in the UK and you'll find plenty of British suppliers. Many of them don't make anything: they buy from manufacturers abroad, often in Turkey, and resell from a UK warehouse. That has advantages, mainly fast delivery from stock. But it also means a narrower range, prices with a middleman's margin built in, and little control over finish or plating.

Buying direct from the workshop that makes the jewellery is the alternative. This guide explains what that looks like for a UK shop buying 925 sterling silver from Istanbul: how long it takes, what it costs to ship, what you pay at import, the hallmarking rules you need to know, and how ordering works.

What you get by buying direct

• A much wider range. A workshop's catalogue is usually far larger than a reseller's stock. Ours runs to around 2,400 sterling silver designs.
• Your choice of finish. Pieces are made to order, so you choose plain silver or 14K gold, rose gold or rhodium plating, and the plating thickness, for each design.
• Low minimums. Our minimum is 5 pieces per design, and you can mix categories and finishes in one order.
• No middleman margin. You pay the maker's price, not a reseller's.
• Clear information. Every design shows its SKU and average weight in grams, and every piece is stamped 925.

The trade-off is time: made-to-order jewellery isn't sitting on a shelf in the UK. The next section covers how long it actually takes.

How long delivery takes

There are two parts to the timeline:

• Production: every order ships within about a week of payment confirmation, whatever the quantity. We share the tracking details by then.
• Transit to the UK: delivery takes 1–3 business days after dispatch, by courier.

So a UK order typically arrives within around three weeks of payment. For seasonal ranges, such as Christmas, order with that window in mind. Our Q4 buying guide covers timing in more detail.

Shipping costs and terms

We ship on DAP terms (Delivered at Place) by courier, such as DHL, UPS, FedEx, TNT or Aramex. Shipping to the UK usually costs around €15–25 per parcel, depending on the size and weight of the order. EXW Istanbul is available on request if you'd rather use your own forwarder.

Under DAP we arrange delivery to your address. You're still the importer of record, which means the next section applies to you. Our shipping page has the full terms.

Import VAT and duty

When a shipment from Turkey arrives in the UK, it goes through UK customs:

• Import VAT is charged on the value of the goods plus shipping and any duty. VAT-registered businesses can usually reclaim it on their VAT return, so it is mainly a cash-flow item.
• Customs duty depends on the goods' tariff classification and origin. Rates and any preferential treatment change, so confirm the current figure with your courier or a customs broker before you price your range.
• Brokerage. Couriers usually clear the shipment for you and bill you for VAT, duty and a small handling fee.

This is general guidance, not tax advice. Our guide to importing silver jewellery from Turkey goes through the process step by step.

Hallmarking: the rule every UK buyer needs to know

The UK has its own hallmarking law. Under the Hallmarking Act, a silver article weighing more than 7.78 grams must be tested and hallmarked by a UK Assay Office before it can be described as silver when sold in the UK. Articles at or below that weight are exempt.

What this means in practice:

• Our pieces are stamped 925 but are not hallmarked by a UK Assay Office.
• Around 93% of our catalogue weighs 7.78 grams or less, so most designs fall under the exemption.
• Every product page shows the piece's weight, so you can see which designs are above the threshold before you order.
• For pieces above 7.78 grams, arranging assay and hallmarking after import is the buyer's responsibility. The UK Assay Offices can advise on how to submit pieces.

Many UK retailers simply build their range from designs under the threshold and treat heavier statement pieces as a separate decision. Our trade terms set this out formally.

How ordering works

1. [Apply for a trade account](/trade-application). We reply to applications quickly, and once you're approved, wholesale prices are visible.
2. Build your order online, choosing finish and plating thickness per design, with a minimum of 5 pieces per design.
3. Receive a proforma invoice confirming your order and payment terms. Nothing is charged when you submit the order.
4. Pay, and your order goes into production, shipping within about a week.
5. Receive your parcel 1–3 business days after dispatch.

Want to see the pieces first? We send samples on request; you cover only the shipping cost, and samples are made in a different metal to show design, size and finish.

Where to start

If you're new to buying direct, start with a focused first order of 15 to 25 designs across earrings, necklaces and bracelets. Our first wholesale order guide and our guide to wholesale jewellery for boutiques both help with planning. To understand what you're buying, read what is Turkish silver.

About Ruvolla

Ruvolla makes 925 sterling silver jewellery in its own workshop in Fatih, Istanbul, and sells wholesale to boutiques, jewellers and online sellers across Europe, including the UK, as well as the Gulf and Turkey. Every piece is stamped 925 and plating is done in-house. Browse the full catalogue or read our wholesale guide.

Frequently asked questions

How long does wholesale jewellery from Istanbul take to reach the UK?

Every order ships within about a week of payment confirmation, whatever the quantity, and delivery to the UK takes 1–3 business days after dispatch.

How much does shipping to the UK cost?

Shipping to the UK usually costs around €15–25 per parcel, depending on the size and weight of the order. We ship on DAP terms by courier.

Do I pay VAT on jewellery imported from Turkey to the UK?

Yes. Import VAT is charged when the goods arrive. VAT-registered businesses can usually reclaim it on their VAT return. Customs duty depends on the goods' classification and origin, so confirm current rates with your courier or broker.

Does sterling silver jewellery need a UK hallmark?

Silver articles weighing more than 7.78 grams must be hallmarked by a UK Assay Office before being sold as silver in the UK. Lighter pieces are exempt. Around 93% of our catalogue weighs 7.78 grams or less, and every product page shows the weight.

What is the minimum order for UK shops?

The minimum is 5 pieces per design. You can mix categories, designs and finishes in one order.

Can UK shops get samples before ordering?

Yes. We send samples on request and you only cover the shipping cost. Samples are made in a different metal, so they show design, size and finish.