Start with a small collection you can reproduce, or deliberately sell as individual pieces. Record the materials, production time and information a buyer needs for each design. This gives customers a clearly described product rather than just an attractive photograph.
Choose a coherent collection
Complete one design before expanding the collection. Record fixed components, available lengths and differences between individual pieces. A bracelet in three lengths needs clear sizing choices; a one-off pendant needs a clear statement that the photo shows the actual piece for sale.
Record your materials
Keep supplier invoices and specifications for metals, coatings and components. Do not describe plated material as solid gold. Substantiate claims such as nickel-free before publishing them. Track components by batch so that you can investigate a customer complaint.
Cost your working time
Illustrative assumption, excluding VAT: €8 materials, €2 packaging and half an hour at €24 an hour total €22. Revenue of €35 leaves €13 before payment processing, marketing, delivery, returns, fixed costs and tax. This is not a profit calculation; replace every assumption with your own figures.
Photographs and product information
Show jewellery being worn and alongside a useful size reference. Photograph the clasp, reverse and finish. State length, weight, materials and care instructions separately from lifestyle copy. Explain coatings that wear over time; a photograph cannot communicate that on its own.
Measure the wearable length with the clasp closed and show where you measure. Photograph the same bracelet to scale, worn and at the clasp. Explain possible colour or shape variation in natural stones; do not use a perfect sample photo for a materially different piece.
Sales channels and costs
Your own store gives you presentation control without automatically providing the highest margin. MicroCart costs €39.95 per store per month or €399.50 per year excluding VAT, including all MicroCart apps and B2B. MicroCart charges 0% own transaction fees. Payment providers, customer acquisition and fulfilment have separate costs.
Ship with suitable protection
Measure the packed item before choosing letterbox delivery. Check the carrier’s size limits, damage cover and exclusions for valuables. Protect delicate parts with a rigid insert. Compare the combined packaging and carriage costs with the amount charged to your customer.
Registration, VAT and precious metals
KVK registration and VAT entrepreneurship use different criteria. Check both separately. RDI specifies hallmarks for precious-metal articles offered for sale from 1 gram of gold, 8 grams of silver and 0.5 grams of platinum. Check exemptions and recognition of foreign marks before selling.
Frequently asked questions
Is custom work always excluded from withdrawal rights? Only where the legal exception actually applies, for example clear personalisation; choosing a standard size is not automatically sufficient. Is a store cheaper than a marketplace? Compare marketing, returns and your own time at the same order volume.
Prepare your first sale
Create one complete product record and pack a trial shipment. Ask someone unfamiliar with the collection to identify its size and materials from your page. Resolve uncertainty before adding more designs. Then read how to write return information.
Sources and checks
Primary sources checked on 26 October 2026: KVK: registration criteria · Tax Administration: VAT entrepreneurship · RDI: precious metals and hallmarks · ACM ConsuWijzer: withdrawal rights
