Greg Jones, a manufacturing jeweller in New Zealand, told Jeweller that he began the Jewellers TradeIt Facebook group last month with the aim of creating an international forum that would benefit both jewellers and suppliers.
“Buying, selling and trading is what we do,” he said. “This page enables jewellers to move items that they have had for a while onto a jeweller who has a market [for them].”
Jones added that trade suppliers, both local and international, were also welcome to join and participate. He requested however, that they limit posts to one per month and “in the spirit of this group, make it a special”.
“I'm looking forward to more trade suppliers putting up their specials,” Jones said. “These suppliers are critical to the trade, and this is an opportunity for them to reach out internationally at no cost.”
Jones has placed few restrictions on what can be discussed or traded on the page, provided it relates to jewellery.
In the short time it has been active, the group has already attracted more than 90 members – including people from Australia, New Zealand, Turkey, Britain, India, Thailand and the United States – with Jones reporting a “great response”.
“Items are selling and new friends are communicating,” he said.
Group members appear to have taken to the concept with enthusiasm, posting items or services that they are searching for or that they have on offer.
For example, one member was offering to sell his GIA-certified diamonds at wholesale prices, while another was seeking a set of second-hand rolling mills. Other items posted include pink Tasmanian diamonds and a set of metal rollers from Auckland.
At the time of publication, all sales made through the page had been in Australia, however, Jones said he expected that the page would eventually be used to trade in any country.
When asked if this would potentially create a threat to local suppliers – given jewellers had the opportunity to purchase items from overseas – he said that there had been no negative comment so far. He added that, on the contrary, local suppliers in New Zealand and Australia were “keen to have their products presented to a larger market”.
Jones decided that social media was the best platform for his initiative as it placed a strong focus on building an international jewellery community.
“Facebook is popular, functional and casual enough to be convenient,” he stated. “There needs to be a social aspect; we all need friends.”
With this in mind, Jones explained that he had no current plans to expand the group, but instead, he said, “I'm hoping that members will evolve and shape this group for the purposes that they need in their business.”
The new TradeIt group complements other local jewellery Facebook groups such as the ANZ Progressive Jewellers Group (469 members) and the Young Jewellers Group (1,355 members).
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