I have been analyzing what I have been paying for beads that go into
my jewelry and thinking I may be paying a little too much with my
current supplier.
Does anyone know of a supplier of good quality beads at reasonable
prices in NYC? I am thinking of trying one, but their advertising is
that they “wholesale to the public”. This is a red flag for me. I
don’t care for “bead superstores”.
I would also like to go to a show in the near future where I can
find some unique items. The next show that I know of is the Intergem
show in Marlborough, Mass. This convenient for me, but the show is
not until May.
The Whole Bead Show is in March and that may be a good option, if I
can get good prices.
It would be helpful to know what kind of beads you are looking for:
Czech glass, Swarovski, stone, semi-precious, silver? Not all
suppliers have all of these, and some have better prices than others.
Taj Company
42 West 48 St. Suite 203
NY, NY 10036
732-310-3771
Ask for Shafi. An honest, reliable, Kashmiri. Excellent prices,
wholesale only. He has atleast doubled his business that last five
years I’ve known him. He just finished the GJX show in Tucson and
does many more shows all year.
It would be helpful to know what kind of beads you are looking
for: Czech glass, Swarovski, stone, semi-precious, silver? Not all
suppliers have all of these, and some have better prices than
others.
I shop for largish quantities of semi-precious beads and pearls. I go
to Oriental Gemco for some unique items for higher priced necklaces.
They are great, but I have a need for good quality, lower priced
beads that I use in a bracelet and would require a quantity of.
I belong to a few bulk bead buying groups on yahoo. We save
significantly when we buy beads. I mostly like buying high quality
gem beads with these groups and have been very satisfied with what I
have bought.
If you would like more info please email off-group.
I would look in the Lapidary Journal yearly supply index or the
Jeweler Circular Keystone ( a very good trade journal) which
provides you with a directory to suppliers. Colored stone magazine
may have a guide to the Tucson Gem show left over…The guide had
Tons of dealers!! Find what you need and ask them to give you bulk
prices…always DEAL!!!
I am very interested in purchasing bead in bulk, can you please
share this info with all of us ?
It would help to know what geographic area you are in. I feel that
the best way to buy beads is to pick them by hand. If you are in the
Northeastern US, there are many good dealers in New York City and
there are also shows. I would recommend that you apply for a resale
license from your state so you can be a qualified wholesale buyer (I
am assuming that you intend to resell, since you state that you would
like to buy in bulk). There are usually “minimums” (dollar amounts
that have to be met in order to qualify for the best price). I
apologize if I am being redundant, but I’m not sure from your post if
you have much buying experience.
If you are near New York city here are a few places I go: Oriental
Gemco for nicer quality semiprecious beads, Wondersources for more
economically priced items and some special beads, and Dikra Gem for
one-of-a-kind cabochons. On recent suggestion, I am trying TAJ
Company on my next trip (I hope it warms up soon). All of these can
be found by googling the company name. There are many other dealers,
but I can’t speak from experience on them.
If you are looking for shows, try looking for ads in magazines like
Lapidary Journal. I don’t know more though, I don’t go to a lot of
shows.
We, as a group, choose vendors–order internationally and ship
internationaly also . There are so many places we order from–but
the sweetest part is being able to try something out at the best
prices without having to meet the minimums. By buying as a group, we
do get really sweet prices. We buy silver (in wire form) and silver
in the Bali style, hilltribe style, FSL and CGM, czechbeads from
York, seed beads–and we buy members components such as lampwork
beads, silver focals, in a very long sentence–I am sure that there
is nothing we do not buy in bulk–it is madness at time,but fun–and
everyone saves.
For example, I needed some 4mm seamless SS beads–at the best
price–which started a hunt–joined by others–and we are halfway to
10,000 sterling balls right. Who would have thought that one item
could create such an interest–but it is a basic staple–and if we buy
together–well, you get it.
I will shut up now–I work nights and have just got home and tend to
be too chatty–LOL!