How StoneAgeLapidary got started

Introduce your Etsy shop and tell us your story. How did you begin and decide on what to sell on Etsy, and how do you create your products?

StoneAge Lapidary started in early 2016, when I was still studying information systems at Pasundan University, Bandung. We didn't have a lot of time at the time, and we only sold gemstones on blogspot and Instagram. Then, in 2018, I tried to open a shop on Etsy, and we learned everything. from Etsy marketing to product improvisation from time to time. I did it myself for a year. In 2019, we added one new team member who assisted with listing and packing. We currently have a team of four people for marketing, two for packing, and five for production; we are currently experimenting with Shopify and integrating with Etsy. Maybe in the following year we will try to make a mobile commerce app for gemstones.

Favorite items

What are your favorite items? What makes these so special? Why do you think these items might be selling well?

We fell in love with the items blue opal petrified wood and natural blue amber because both of these items have a strong historical value because, according to gemology, the process of formation takes a very long time, namely 20 million years. Blue opal is made from wood to become stone, while blue amber is made of sap that millions of years ago hardened into stone.

1.416g Big Dominican Amber Stone Blue Natural Authentic Caribbean rock rough for collector Amber, Rare Amber
Parcels 20pcs Blue Opalized Petrified Wood Cabochon Earring jewelry tools, silversmithing, mecrame 

Getting sales on Etsy

How long did it take for you to earn your first sale and how do you currently attract customers to your Etsy shop?

In about 5–7 days, we got the first sale, and we are very happy. We grow store traffic on Pinterest and Instagram. We also regularly run advertisements on Facebook aimed at our Etsy links and so on.

Managing StoneAgeLapidary

How do you manage your shop? Are you running solo or do you have any team members? What tools or services do you use to run your shop and how do you handle fulfillment?

We work with a team of four and all use laptops. We have two other stores on Etsy; each person has their own responsibility for their Etsy store, and one person is in charge of validating that what was done was according to the procedure. We schedule delivery pick-ups on Tuesdays and Fridays. Because we live in a rural area and courier facilities are limited, they can't come here every day, and we adapt to all Etsy policies.

The future of StoneAgeLapidary

What goals do you have for your shop in the future?

Our ambition is to become the number one gem seller in Indonesia.

Advice for new sellers

What’s your advice for a new seller starting an Etsy shop?

Trial and error, as well as consistency in your work! 

Some sellers really get inspired by hearing numbers. Feel free to share these if you like.

Question: How much is your monthly revenue?
Answer: $5000 - $30.000

Question: What is your average profit margin?
Answer: $15.000

Question: What is your shop’s conversion rate?
Answer: 4.9

Alura Team
Alura Team

Alura is your all-in-one platform for selling on Etsy. With more $500.000+ gross sales over four years selling on Etsy, Alura is built by experienced sellers for sellers. Start with a free account and explore all the features you need to start, run, and grow your Etsy shop.