Precious Stones and Metals
- All natural precious stones (diamonds, rubies, sapphires, etc) are imported from Sri Lanka, India, Thailand, and the U.S.A. Processing is mostly undertaken in Japan. About 20% of processing is done in foreign countries.
- The designs of most precious stones and metals are copied from famous European (mainly French and Italian) brands, such as CHANEL, CARTIER, CHRISTIAN DIOR, TABBAH, and ANTONINI in Hong Kong, Bangkok, or Singapore. These copies pieces are imported at a price 20~30% lower than well-known brands.
- Some owners of tens of millions of Japanese yen worth of jewelry keep it in a bank safe-deposit box, and seldom actually wear it. They buy the imitation at a 10% price and usually wear it instead.
- Rings, pendants, earrings, and necklaces, in that order, sell well in the Japanese market.
- In Japan, diamond rings tend to be given to new brides by grooms as a first ring. After marriage, many people will purchase bigger diamond rings when they can afford such a thing.
- Pearl necklaces/earrings/rings are an essential part of Japanese ceremonial occasions.
- Cameos made in Italy are selling well.
- In Japan, small and simple jewelry used to be very popular. Nowadays, however, relatively bigger and more fashionable ones are coming in vogue.
- The best seasons of the year for large sales are in July and December. It is at these times that workers receive their summer and winter bonuses.
- Japanese consumer trends are currently leaning toward medium priced rather than high priced apprehends that India, where medium priced jewelry is produced in large quantities, will gain strength in future.
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Costume Jewelry
- This industry is obviously brand-oriented. Famous French brands, such as CHRISTIAN DIOR, CELINE, etc. as well as MONET, TRIFFARI, SWALOWSKI, VANDOME, MAJOLICA experience good sales.
- Designs are largely copies of famous European brands. Small and simple costume jewelry used to be in fashion; however, big and flashy pieces are now fashionable.
- In comparison, with precious stones and metals, costume jewelry is cheaper. Therefore, it is in great demand for Christmas presents. Women buy it with pocket money. The man customers here are mostly woman in their twenties and thirties.
- Costume jewelry is imported from Asian countries at @\400~500 in large quantities, and retails at @\1000. In fact, price destruction is having an impact in this industry. Since there are a variety of designs, wholesalers and importers are confused as to what they should be buying.
- The rate of import is approximately 30%, coming mainly from Hong Kong, Taiwan, the U.S.A., France, Italy and Australia.
- Rhinestones, which are imitation diamonds made of glass, are in great demand.
- Pierced earrings are still popular.
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