How to Display Jewellery for Sale

Co-authored by Nicole Wegman

Last Updated: December 8, 2021 References

Whether you’re setting up for a show at a flea market or displaying your jewelry in a store-front, you want to make sure to highlight the pieces you’re selling in an attractive way. From earrings to rings to pins and everything between, there are dozens of ways you can create alluring displays to draw in customers. Group together like-items and avoid overcrowding your display. Add lamps or twinkly lights to illuminate your display, and use a tablecloth to create a comprehensive look.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Highlighting Different Types of Jewelry

1
Display earrings in a creative holder to keep them organized. You can buy earring holders online, but it’s also fairly easy to make your own, unique display cases. Repurpose a picture frame by painting it a new color and lining it with mesh or chicken wire to create an eye-catching piece that works great for both dangly earrings and studs.
- Using a slim display case, like a picture frame, also gives you lots of surface space to display the other pieces you’re selling because it gets the earrings up off the table.
2
Hang individual necklaces from pegs so they’re easy to see. Depending on where you’re setting up shop, you could use a “T” shaped necklace display to hang your pieces, or if you have wall-space available, you could create your own display. All you need is a long piece of wood, which you can paint whatever color you like. Then you can install small pegs (or even old doorknobs) 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5.1 cm) apart from each other from which you can hang the necklaces.^{[1]
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- The possibilities for how you can personalize a necklace display are nearly endless. Use driftwood for a more natural look or hang painted branches, or create your own unique design.
- If you have necklace-display busts, use them to hang special, eye-catching pieces.
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3
Lay out bracelets or hang them from a stand, depending on your area. If your bracelets have a lot of detail, it is a good idea to lay them out flat at your table so they can be seen clearly. You could place them in a lined, stand-alone jewelry box, or you could place them over a small, decorative pillow. If you hang them, try to not clump too many together in one space so that the display doesn’t look overcrowded.^{[2]
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- If you have multiples of the same bracelet, just display one and keep the others in storage. That way you don’t clutter your display area, and you also make the piece look more important at the same time.
4
Showcase your rings by keeping them together so they’re easy to find. Rather than placing rings around your display to vary the look, place them all together in one spot. Use a ring-box with either a clear lid or no lid at all. If you want something a little more unique, you could find or build something like an chest of apothecary drawers and place one ring in each section.^{[3]
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- You could also use ceramic or metal hand sculptures to display rings. Search your local thrift and antique stores to find a cast of a hand that you could use to show off your rings.
5
Create a unique display for brooches and pins. If you have a lot of pins, you could simply put them in a large bowl and let customers search through them. But if you have more unique, special pieces, try creating a hanging pennant out of a cut piece of canvas, a long rod, and some twine, or you could even decorate a bulletin board to display them.^{[4]
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- A plain, covered embroidery hoop is also a fun way to display pins. You could use different sized hoops to create an eye-drawing display.

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Creating an Attractive Display

1
Use lights to illuminate your jewelry and create a welcoming space. Lamps, spotlights, and hanging twinkly lights can all add something special to your atmosphere while also illuminating your goods. If you’re going to be outdoors at a market, check and see if there are accommodations for power cords. If indoors, try to visit the space if you’ve never been there before so you can plan out what kinds of lights you’ll need and how many of them you should bring. Use lamps that have moveable heads so you can shine them on your displays.^{[5]
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- You could even string twinkly lights around your display to add a whimsical touch.
2
Create a sign that displays your name so you’re easy to find. Whether you make a sign by hand or have one done by a professional, hang up signage somewhere near your booth or table. You could use a chalkboard for a sign that’s easily changeable (and to advertise sales and deals, too).^{[6]
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- Standing chalkboard signs are a fun piece to use—you can draw on them with chalkboard markers and transport them easily from place to place.
3
Invest in a lightweight table that’s easy to transport. If you attend a lot of fairs and markets, chances are you’ll need to bring your own display table. If you don’t already have one, ask other vendors what they use to get some ideas, and then invest in a high-quality lightweight table that will fit into your vehicle and be easy to set-up and take-down.^{[7]
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- Even if most of your jewelry is displayed on stands, it’ll still be helpful to have a table you can set out to hold smaller items, like rings, or to complete transactions with customers.
4
Use a tablecloth to cover your table to create a cohesive look. Look for a more classically-toned tablecloth, like black, tan, beige or grey. If you’re going to use a pattern, choose one that won’t be too distracting to the eye, so that customers can easily focus on the jewelry.^{[8]
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- If you’re going to be outdoors, bring something to weigh down the sides of the tablecloth and keep it firmly in place.
5
Use differently-shaped displays to create depth on your table. Baskets, bowls, boxes turned on their sides, standing displays, and body silhouettes are all great display options. Space different types of displays out around your table to create sections for each type of jewelry you’re selling.^{[9]
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- For example, you could place a standing display of necklaces inside an old, rustic box that’s been turned on its side to make a kind of alcove. Or you could place a basket full of colorful pins on a corner of your table for a pop of color.
6
Don't overcrowd your jewelry display. If you put too many pieces in a single display, it will be hard for any individual pieces to stand out. Try to limit how many displays you have, and space out the jewelry so that the pieces you do have can stand out.^{[10]
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Expert Source

Nicole Wegman
Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge
Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
- Too many pieces together will be overwhelming, making it harder for a shopper to make a decision.^{[11]
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  Expert Source
  
  Nicole Wegman
  Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge
  Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}
- To maximize how much jewelry you're showing without overcrowding your display, stacking multiple pieces together. For instance, you might only have a few necklace busts on a stand, but you create a cool, stylized look by layering 3-5 necklaces on each one.^{[12]
  X
  Expert Source
  
  Nicole Wegman
  Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge
  Expert Interview. 23 April 2020.}

Expert Q&A

Question

How can I create an attractive jewelry display?

Nicole Wegman
Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge
Nicole Wegman is the Founder and CEO of Ring Concierge, a New York City-based fine jewelry brand. Specializing in engagement ring and wedding band trends, Ring Concierge creates a luxury experience catered towards millennials. Ring Concierge offers engagement rings along with earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and anklets. Nicole's work and Ring Concierge have been featured in Vogue, Glamour, Who What Wear, Martha Stewart Weddings, Brides, and Cosmopolitan. Nicole is a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Accredited Jewelry Professional and holds a BS in Fiber Science and Apparel Design from Cornell University.

Nicole Wegman

Jewelry Professional & Founder of Ring Concierge

Expert Answer

Don't overcrowd your window. If you put 50 displays across a 4-foot window, it can be overwhelming for the consumer. Limit how many displays you have, so each one stands out individually. However, you can layer jewelry on each display, like stacking 3-5 necklaces on a necklace bust, even though someone probably wouldn't wear more than 1 or 2 at a time.