Hi, everyone. I’ve read with interest the thread regarding jewelry
for larger-sized women. I am exploring the possibility of supplying a
plus sized boutique with jewelry and and curious about 1) items that
tend to sell into this market and 2) any trends that appeal
particularly to this market.
It would seem that necklaces and bracelets would be of interest. Are
there other items I should be considering?
I’d really appreciate hearing from you as this kind of market
intelligence will help drive our decision making.
The Key Words are; Large and Different!!! 'The more mature woman"
wants large stones, and different ring and pendant setting. Stones
sizes; minium of 12 at to 20 . . . pendants are better sold with
stones 77 cts and up!!!. … Thats my experience… and never say
silver!! Jim Chambers
Fleury, This may sound simplistic…but I’ve always found that
"larger-sized" women (and men, for that matter) want nothing so much
as to be able to buy the same fashionable items everyone else enjoys
in a size which fits them. Once you’ve established a clientele,
try offering rings, bracelets, and necklaces which are perfectly
sized for those women.
As an example, many women who have large fingers wear usual-sized
rings (7-8) as pinky rings - only because they can’t find a jeweler
who stocks rings which fit them. Cater to their needs, and they will
show appreciation for your effort with return business. (I know
there is risk involved here…and I also know that many custom
jewelers don’t want to take this particular risk. Be patient with
them, especially if they’re placing their work with you on
consignment. Most custom jewelers work on a narrow profit margin.
They’re going to be wary of the possibility that size 11 women’s
rings won’t sell. Often such rings don’t sell…and the maker is
forced either to re-size them or to re-use the raw materials in
another piece. You’ll have to prove that this concept can work by
establishing a market.) One thing I can say for certain is that the
customers you wish to serve are out there, in great numbers - and if
you find a way to reach out to them you will do very well.
Best wishes!
Pete
Peter B. Steiner - TripleRock Lapidary - Buffalo, NY, USA
Well this is just my imput, my self being a larger woman. What
ever is popular across the board will be popular for larger women.
You just need to accomidate many different sizes in what you make.
Personally the thought of a plus size boutique hurts my feelings, if
you add one of thoes you might as well add a petites boutique also.
What I’m saying is just expand to accomidate these women. Jewlery has
always been something that comes in many sizes to accomidate all,
I’ve never had a problem with a pair of earings etc… So yes we
love jewelry like everyone else, but don’t single us out, we want
the same jewelry everyone else does but we want it to fit us and look
just as great. Thanks for listening Amanda White
I am also a larger woman. I fall in that neverland between misses
(large being just too small) and womens sizes (a tad too big). I like
exactly the same things that “small” women like. My tastes are no
more different because I am large than they are because I have my own
sense of taste and style. I found a beautiful bracelet in the
Brooklyn Museum (New York) gift shop a while ago. Not precious metal,
but a gold colored reproduction of a museum piece. I loved it as soon
as I saw it, and would have paid full price too (it was on sale), but
it didn’t fit comfortably. I could get it on my wrist, but it was
snug. When I handed it back to the salesperson she was very annoyed
that I didn’t buy it. I asked her if it came in larger sizes & she
said no. Unfortunately one size does NOT fit all (or often "most"
either).
Thoughts in general on this subject, Our store manufactures almost all
the jewelry we sell, and over the past twenty years our "standard"
sizes have all grown larger. Ladies rings went from 6-61/2 to 71/2.
Gents went from 10 to 11+. However, the real issue is in the design.
When a lady orders a ring made in a size twelve, I do not use a
smaller ring and size it out, as it simply will not be proportionate
when worn. The entire design must be expanded to look right on her
finger. Offering a ladies ring in multiple sizes is not the answer. A
good designer or modelmaker knows this, and insists on knowing the
finger size before beginning a project. This is one of the major
reasons custom jewelers are doing so well in our industry today. Mall
jewelers are learning that their “one size fits all” really doesn’t
work, thank goodness for the rest of us.
My experience suggest that larger women want jewelry representative
of there maturity… and size… Seldom have I sold a 12 to 25 cts
stone to a 5’ 2", woman with a 5 1/2 size ring finger . . . Seldom
(never ) have I sold a larger woman a 1/2 cts, semi precious stone…
for a ring size of 7 - 1/2 . . frankly I feel it looks strange!!!
And let’s not discuss pendants at all!!! . . . Who do you sell a 35
and up ct pendant too?? Jim C