Silver Charms are more precious than ever! If you have been following the silver market, you know that prices have continued to rise. In response, we are raising our prices once again. I know how difficult these increases are, especially with the economy so fragile. I wish I could do something about it but for the moment, escalating metal prices are a fact of life.

On January 14th at 5 pm Pacific time, our prices will increase 22%. All orders placed before then will be processed at the lower prices. However, effective immediately, all back orders and special orders will be at the new prices. Existing backorders will remain at lower prices. We apologize in advance that many of our styles are sold out as the result of a busier than expected holiday season. We have ordered replacement inventory but it won’t arrive before the price increase.

Please note that orders will be processed and pulled as we normally do: orders with expedited shipping (UPS Overnight, 2-Day, and 3-Day) are pulled before UPS Ground and Priority Mail orders. UPS Ground and Priority Mail orders are processed in the order received. This is important to keep in mind because we may run out of stock on some items and backorders will be at the higher price.

15% DISCOUNT on all silver and gold at our Tucson 2011 tradeshow! Come visit us in Tucson at the Holiday Inn Holidome, #733 from February 3-11th. Limited tradeshow quantities available.

In this type of market, re-branding silver jewelry as heirloom material is essential. The rising price of precious metals has been in the news, so your customers may be more aware of its investment value. Any marketing materials that stress these qualities are a plus. Your jewelry is precious and unique. We are working hard on designs to keep you inspired!

As you know, we implemented a significant price increase today. We tried to lighten the blow by giving everyone a weeks notice. Unfortunately, during that time, the price of silver increased steeply once again. As a result, we have had to increase prices 28% instead of the previously announced 20%. We apologize for this. The market has clearly gone insane. We hope we won’t have to raise prices again for awhile, but all indicators point to higher and higher prices.

Silver continues its steep climb.

We all need to hold on tight as silver shifts from an everyday product to an affordable luxury. It may take some time for consumers to accept this shift, but many large multi-national companies like Tiffany’s are pouring advertising dollars into the effort. Gold is increasing as quickly as silver, pricing many people out of the market. These customers are already responding to silver’s appeal as an affordable precious metal.

We will continue to work hard to provide you with amazing designs and helpful marketing ideas in the months to come.

Thank you for your patience and understanding.

Silver up 27%

Once again, the price of silver is surging upwards at a dizzying pace. It has risen over 27% in seven short weeks. After years of getting tossed about by volatile silver prices, I thought I had seen it all but this latest advance is even more extreme, eclipsing the spring of 2008 and taking silver to a new 30 year high. Even as we scramble to adjust, silver shows no signs of slowing its steep ascent. Today’s price may seem cheap next month. Conversely, we could see a sharp fall in prices if speculators decide to cash in on their profits. Amidst the uncertainty, we have to take it one day at a time.

Silver prices are influenced by many factors including the price of gold, demand from investment funds, the value of the dollar and industrial demand. Click here for a more detailed explanation.

I have learned from past experience that it takes time for the public to adjust to sudden increases in the cost of silver. The lower end of the market will inevitably migrate toward cheaper alternatives. Nevertheless, as some people are priced out of silver jewelry, others are priced out of gold. In response, there is a trend to accept silver as the sister precious metal to gold. Major retailers like Tiffany are pouring money into campaigns to persuade the public that silver is both precious and a good investment.

I realize that our price increase announced this week is steep and poorly timed (20% increase for silver and 26% increase for gold plate, effective October 18th, 2010). I want you to know that I would not have done it if I had any alternative.  All we can do, together, is create jewelry so beautiful that women will want it at any price! Thank you for your business and for your understanding.