Plan Ahead for the Holidays: A Heads-Up on Silver

Hi Everyone,

We've been making jump rings for you for more than 20 years, so we've gotten pretty good at reading the ups and downs of the silver supply. When something changes, we want you to hear it from us first.

This year something has changed.

Sterling wire is back-ordered, for the first time.

The mills we buy our wire from have started back-ordering some of our sterling silver and even some of our 18k gold.

We're used to the occasional delay on specialty wire, like Argentium or gold-filled and silver-filled, since the mills have to order those ahead. Plain sterling is different. It's normally made right at the mill and drawn to the exact gauges we use for your rings. We've never seen it back-ordered like this before.

To us, that means the silver supply is getting tight and everything from the mill to our bench here in Pine, Colorado is slowing down.

Why it's happening (the short version)

For several years, the world has been using more silver than it mines. Most silver comes up as a side product of copper, lead, zinc, and gold mining, so higher prices don't bring more of it up any faster, plus a brand-new silver mine takes 10 to 15 years to open. Meanwhile, solar panels, electric cars, electronics, and data centers use more silver every year. Add in big price swings, and it's harder for everyone to keep wire and rings on the shelf.

We don't have a crystal ball, and we can't tell you what silver will cost next month. But what we're seeing from our side is worth planning around.

What this means for your holiday season...

November has always been our busiest month, with October a close second, and both are right around the corner. With lead times already stretching, last-minute orders may take longer than you're used to.

No need to panic or buy everything today. Here's what we'd suggest:

• Make a plan. Look at what sold well for you last holiday season and sketch out the rings you'll need.
• Order a little earlier than usual, and build some extra time into your schedule for delivery.
• Keep a small cushion of your best-selling rings on hand, and order specialty sizes and metals as you need them.
• Big or custom project coming up? Let us know. We can pre-stock and reserve wire for you now and make your rings later.
• Orders usually $500 or more? Ask about our new wholesale account. Sign up for wholesale here.

A quick word on prices

Many of you have called and emailed about our rising prices, and we understand. This year we updated our shop so our prices can follow the metal markets more closely, and we introduced wholesale pricing for the first time ever.

If you're thinking about raising your own prices, you're not alone. Take a look at what the mall jewelry stores charge for machine-made chain and remember that your handmade work is worth more than that.

Let's plan together

You've trusted us with your rings for a long time, and we don't take that lightly. Plan early, order a little ahead, and we'll do everything we can to keep your rings coming this holiday season.

Questions, or want us to reserve wire for you? Call us at 720-664-4555 or email contactus@urbanmaille.com. Ordering $500 or more? Apply for a wholesale account.

Talk soon,

Gary
Urban Maille