What’s it Worth: A Beginner’s Guide to Pricing

guest speaker: Michael Coan

Tuesday, June 3, 2025
7:00 – 8:00pm EST

Click here to register

Michael Coan is not only a gemologist but a jewelry historian. He brings a lifetime of knowledge, enthusiasm, and a deep respect for the intersection of gems and humanity to the forefront of educational excellence at FIT.

Consider this - the IRS will never let you put a $0 amount to any item - so let’s figure out why.

We will examine some of the various components behind the value of a jewel, in terms of intrinsic, perceived and “actual” value.

This presentation will include the factors of timing, markets, comparables and gut feelings, along with some methods of pricing up your work. The formula is fairly simple – but the add-ons and variations are myriad.

Keep in mind that pricing is one of the most talked about and most difficult topics in the jewelry industry; it remains the most elusive as well, so we will consider all the factors, with brief definitions of the various types of values you can put on your jewelry, and how you can arrive at them.

The goal is for you to feel comfortable with your pricing, allowing you to be fairly compensated for your creations. Let’s begin the journey on pricing.

(Part I of more to come, if you like what I have to say, because we will not be covering the entire spectrum of pricing in 1 hour – anyone who knows me can vouch for that…lol)