Comments on: Can Anyone Recommend A Chain Manufacturer?

By: Mariam

Mariam — Thu, 27 Feb 2020 23:20:03 +0000

In reply to Willow Moon. Did you ever find a large book chain supplier? I’m trying to by a spool for my jewelry making crafts.

By: sharon

sharon — Tue, 27 Aug 2019 21:33:14 +0000

National Chain Company in Warwick, R.I. but not sure what their minimums are. 401/732-6200

By: Norman McGill

Norman McGill — Sat, 22 Jul 2017 02:42:01 +0000

If you want to buy wholesale you must be officially in business. That means a local business license which isn’t usually very expensive and you must have a resale license from your state sales tax dept.(Dept. of Revenue.) They furnish you with a identification number that you photocopy and send to the manufacturer you want to do business with. You will also need a debit card or a credit card to use for paying for your purchase and in the case of precious metal,silver,gold platinum ect, and base metal chain you pay by the pound according to the going spot price for that metal which you can find online. Silver right now is about $16 an ounce and the manufacturer is going to add anywhere from 5 to 10 percent to that for his profit but he is buying wire and sells you a chain already made. You cannot make your own chain cheaper than the manufacturer unless to buy your own chain machine (about $3000 min) and learn how to use it. Most manufacturers sell at 25 or 50 foot roles of chain, minimum, and do offer small discounts for larger quantities. You’ll find that there is very little wiggle room between the going price of silver and what the manufacturer has to charge to stay in business.
Best place to look for jewelry and chain mfgs in in the New England area where jewelry has been made for centuries. Also it is efficient to buy in groups so long as one person is in business and has a sales tax number but that one person is responsible for the complete transaction and for getting your order to you.
Good luck.

By: Nathan McNiz

Nathan McNiz — Fri, 18 Nov 2016 01:34:51 +0000

But where do all of these stores and wholesalers buy their chains from? Custom manufacturers? How would one go about getting in contact with those people??

By: Nancy

Nancy — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 01:56:35 +0000

I buy most of my chain from Jamal. Discovered them at a gem show awhile back. They have good prices and are good to work with. Ordering from them is a bit of a pain, because you have to decide what you want, email them, and they email you the price. They have a minimum … I think it’s $50. They do a lot of shows, and they don’t have a minimum there.

I only use sterling, but I believe they carry a wide variety of chain.

Blessings,
Nancy

By: Willow Moon

Willow Moon — Mon, 28 Dec 2015 20:59:48 +0000

Hi,

I am trying to locate the manufacturer of vintage book chain. I have checked google.com, all internet ways I know to find out who some jewelry websites get the book chain from. I have contacted some vendors who were kind enough to check for me and they can’t find the makers. It is the reproduction of vintage book chain in the different metals, brass, copper, silver, etc. Can anyone point me in the direction as I am wanting to purchase this chain wholesale and not retail. I am at my whits end trying to find this chain to purchase. I am posting a website that carries the chain of what I am looking for:

artbeads.com/btf-0294.html
artbeads.com/btf-0295.html
artbeads.com/btf-0497.html
artbeads.com/btf-0489.html .

These are some examples that I have found here and on etsy.com. I have asked one company that carries it but they haven’t responded back. I make handmade jewelry and want to use this type of chain in my art work. Please if anyone knows who I can contact.

Thank you so much,

Willow Moon

By: Lissie

Lissie — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 12:37:10 +0000

Thank you everyone, for sharing!
And thank you for the tip about quantity discount at Dreamland Lisa W.
I did not see it before I read you tip!

By: Lisa W.

Lisa W. — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 17:09:29 +0000

I can second (or third?) dreamlandjewelry.com. I have been using them for several years, and i generally buy finished snake chains and box chains from them. They have the best prices I have seen, no minimums, fast shipping, and good service. Tip – if you buy a lot, there is a little link at the bottom of the page labeled “quantity discounts” offering % discounts for purchases of $50, $250, and higher. I was annoyed that I never noticed this link, and have been buying in bulk for years without discounts, and could not get any compensation from them. But now I know it’s there, and so do all of you!

By: Tracie

Tracie — Sun, 04 Nov 2012 14:48:10 +0000

I am Canadian and have found Stones & Findings have good silver prices.

By: Carol Wilson

Carol Wilson — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 04:01:09 +0000

I’ve gotten chain from Fire Mountain and silver wire from Fire Mtn & Rio Grande. I’m also trying the silver-fill for wire & earwires.

By: Pati Reinking

Pati Reinking — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:37:59 +0000

I am using silver and gf chains for my more expensive pieces that are fabricated of silver or vermeil (gold over silver). These pieces also contain semi-precious stones and or beads.

For my lower priced pieces I am using cords of leather, silk or rubber. They come in a variety of sizes and colors and can look very casual, contemporary, sophisticated, or even tribal and primitive.

With the cost of silver and gold at such high levels, it is essential that we find creative alternatives that will still have appeal. Look on-line or in galleries and you will see that many high end jewelry designers are doing just that.

It is necessary to educate our customers about the high cost of metals and the quality of the work that we are producing. Don’t think of these changes as compromises, but as opportunities to explore new and creative alternatives.

By: shirley

shirley — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 17:59:24 +0000

I formerly made jewelry and attended some of the big bead shows in our area with my daughter (horseand buggydesigns.etsy.com). I found the chain they carry is much less expensive than you normally find. So, give it a try….

By: Joan

Joan — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 01:13:26 +0000

I have used several of the companies listed above for chain, but can add Timewell Corportion to the mix. I think their prices are very good for sterling and gold filled chains. I generally by chain by the foot as opposed to finished neck chains. Hope this helps.

By: Caron Lambert

Caron Lambert — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 22:54:24 +0000

I have found good prices on chain at both dreamland.com and beadmaster.com. I’ve really been pleased with the silver-filled headpins from Beadmaster, and their Forever Silver line is amazing.

By: Windy

Windy — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:50:43 +0000

I use a lot of chain and I do a ton of comparison shopping. My main sources are Halsteadbead.com, CGMfindings.com (they also sell wholesale at shows and they have a 10foot min), Ottofrei.com (watch for coupons), and Riogrande.com. All 4 are located in the US and have terrific customer service if you have questions. CGM and Halstead, give bulk sterling or GF discounts.
-Windy

By: Jackie

Jackie — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:30:32 +0000

I just found thunderbirdsupply.com and found they had great prices on sterling & copper. I usually use fire mountain gems but found these prices to be much lower and they still give discounts as you add more to your cart (which I love about FMG). However, shipping wasn’t flat $6 rate like it is with FMG but I think it was still a better deal. Good luck!

By: Diane

Diane — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 16:21:14 +0000

Finding chain that is a reasonable amount is tough, I use the aforementioned places, and also use neckcords with my wrapped pieces. Most folks have a variety of chains that they own, and can use those, it also helps keep the price of the items down so that more sell. I sometimes make a chain, or I keep my eye on the jewelry counter at TJMax and can sometimes pick up chains for less than I would purchase otherwise. Also keep my on on sales at Macy’s when SS goes on 50% off, and with a coupon, can also get some buys. Nothing is off limits when seeking chains, that are unique, and afforadable. Have really gotten some great stuff that way.

By: Val

Val — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:57:58 +0000

Hello,
halsteadbead.com (USA) has good prices on finished chains in both SS and GF. They require a minimum order of $100.
Sincerely, Val

By: Rae

Rae — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 14:20:30 +0000

Rio Grande is the easiest to sign up for and you can get cheaper prices the more you purchase at one time. I use Foreign Source, Ltd. but they are a true wholesale business and you have to have a tax ID and provide business information. I think they have levels in their pricing, depending on your business profile, but not sure. The website doesn’t give as much information about size, etc. of items. I think they rely on their extensive catalogs where the pictures are true to size. They are in Cranston, NJ so maybe not available right now for enquiries. I hope all is well for them.

By: Mickey Kay

Mickey Kay — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 13:30:25 +0000

I have been using dreamlandjewelry.com They seem to have the best wholesale prices that I can find. Sterling silver is not going to be as cheap as it use to be, at least for now. Who know what the future will hold until the economy turns around. If anyone knows of a cheaper place please advise.

By: Kathy Clark

Kathy Clark — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 12:23:35 +0000

I too would love any suppliers that anyone can suggest either in USA or Australia. Seems as if we here in OZ are paying way more than our overseas jewellery makers.

By: Anna of OneHeart

Anna of OneHeart — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:55:42 +0000

I too have difficulty with finding affordable suppliers for silver &gf chain, even wholesale seems no longer wholesale. I also make my own chains and that too is expensive. I have tried many ways to keep cost down with chain and nothing seems to work if I want to keep the quality as well. So also interested in anyone knowing who to go to in U.S or Canada. An idea I have been thinking about is; once a great supplier is found a group of jewellery artists get together and place one order, thereby getting the best rate possible due to a volumne purchase.
For any of you impacted by the Hurricane Sandy situation, we hope you are doing as well as you can and our thoughts are with you.

By: Nancy Keane

Nancy Keane — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 11:01:59 +0000

I use a lot of sterling chain, and with silver prices being what they are, it’s difficult to find chain even close to reasonable prices. I can sometimes find it at gem shows, but that is only a few times a year. I would love to hear where other people find it!

By: Lissie

Lissie — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 10:43:07 +0000

The one I had stopped selling wholesale. So I also hope that someone has anyone so suggest.