Wholesale Buyers: How to Build Your Rock Shop Inventory

If you are reading this article, chances are you are either a rock shop owner, or you are looking to start your own business selling lapidary supplies.

Anyone who is new to this business soon learns that “rockhounds” are very devoted to their hobby, and usually very specific in what they are looking to buy.  Today’s rockhounds are mostly people who collect rocks and mineral specimens for fun, but early rockhounds searched for valuable minerals and gemstones as a way to make a living.

The avid rock collector will look very closely at your rock shop’s inventory and is likely to ask a lot of questions about the specimens you sell.  For this reason, it will help you to learn as much as you can about petrology, geology and mineralogy before making any large orders from a rock shop wholesaler.  In many cases, a store’s most loyal customers are the ones that end up dictating what kind of rock shop supplies and other items that they sell.

Before you get started on building your rock shop inventory, take the time to do research by visiting libraries, bookstores and local “gem and mineral shows.  Join a rockhound group, if you can find one in your area.  Learn about gemstone identification, how to classify specimens, and how to prepare them for display.  This knowledge will help you build your inventory naturally, based on the information you gather.

In addition to selling rocks and minerals, a good rock shop also sells rock hammers, polishing supplies, rock saws, and presentation/mounting accessories.  Consider what type of customer your store will be targeting first; and then work with a rock shop wholesaler who can get you the best prices on the items your customers want most.