1028 6th Avenue (b/w 38th & 39th St.)
This is one of the first bead stores I ever went to when I first opened my business last year, and I still go here all the time. The first thing that impressed me about them is that they stock jewelry soldering supplies--solder, flux, copper tape, and soldering irons. It can be really hard to find all of these components in one place. Actually, I can't think of another place that does! So that is awesome. Also, they have an excellent selection of sterling silver and gold filled chain. They have the best style options as well as the best prices (trust me, I've looked). They also have a great--and overwhelming--selection of beads. They have a huge wall of crystals, which is impressive, but I am more into gemstones. Which they have a huge wall of too! Sometimes the beads are a little bit pricey, but they run two major sales (at least!) every year where you get 50% off all strands of beads. When that sale happens, the prices are the best in the city. Otherwise, if you're a regular, they always give you little discounts, which really add up. The staff at this store is also seriously awesome, which really makes a difference in the way you think of the store. They never, ever rush you out the door--even if it's after they're supposed to be closed, they will stay open as long as customers are looking.
1012 Ave of the Americas
(b/w 37th & 38th St.)
A big part of the reason that I love this store is because of the huge wholesale discount that I get. The more you buy, the bigger your discount is. Often, I get 30% off (or slightly more). So if you have a Tax ID, definitely bring it to this store! I have to also admit that the first time I went here, I did not have a good experience. I felt like they rushed me out the door--it was near closing time, and they nearly refused to sell me the beads I was trying to buy. I didn't go back in for months, but when I did (and every time since), I have had a really good experience. A lot of the beads here do not come cheap, but don't be intimidated by the high price tags. You have to look around a little bit to find the good deals, but they are there! They always have a sale selection towards the back right, and there are always some great finds in that. Also, don't be afraid to ask the staff for help--they are very nice and always willing to help. Just, ahem, don't go close to closing time! (which is 7:30, I think?) They also have some really unusual gemstone beads that are really worth buying, if you're into that sort of thing (like me!) And, of course--they have the most extensive and best selection of geode and druzy stone components in the city (not always necessarily the cheapest, but the best selection nonetheless). You can see the earrings I made from a pair of their sparkly druzy stones (quartz crystals that grow over another stone naturally). They have a huge range of geode and druzy pendants and components in glass cases in the center of the store. They are not cheap but they are AWESOME. You have to ask them to pull out the trays so you can look, and I highly recommend doing so! A trick I learned is to ask for the extra trays in the back--they might only display 15 of one kind of pendant, but in the back they (usually) have lots of extra stock that they are always happy to pull out for you, so you can choose your perfect stone(s).
1006 6th Avenue (b/w 37th & 38th St.)
Lavaliere is a store I discovered when I was desperate to find unique and interesting charms in either sterling silver or vermeil / gold filled. I had no idea how difficult that can be! Seriously, if you need precious metal charms, you have got to go here. The selection is the absolute best, and the prices are good. You can spend a lot of time looking in those cases, trying to find the perfect charm(s). Which you always do! The prices are also excellent if you're looking for other gold filled or sterling silver components. There's a lot of choice, so be sure to look around! They also have good deals if you want to buy in bulk--you can get 50 sterling silver jump rings for about $10. The beads are not cheap, and some are downright expensive. The selection, however, is great and it includes some things that you really can't find anywhere else (like the gorgeous green onyx I used for the earrings you see here). And they always do have some sale stuff, some of which is great. They also have a selection of geode, druzy, and gemstone pendants in the section at the center of the store. The selection isn't as wide as it is at Genuine Ten Ten, but the prices here are always better (at least $3 better, if not more). The staff at Lavaliere is also always super friendly and helpful, which really makes a difference. The staff members always remember me too, which means a lot and means that I always want to go back!
4 Rivington St. (just East of Bowery)
This is the only store on this list that isn't located in Midtown West. It's in the Lower East Side, and even though it's really not close to any other supply stores, you have got to go check it out. This store has a lot more to offer than just jewelry supplies--they stock unique finds from all over Asia and beyond. They have antiques, an impressively large selection of gongs, beautiful Buddhist statues, lamps, home decor, fabric purses, and more. In the back of the store are all the beads, and there are endless options to choose from. Again, if you have a Tax ID, you should definitely bring it here. They have great wholesale prices--I usually get 50% off most of the things I buy (but in fairness, I always buy a ton of stuff). This place is all about exotic, unique, and amazing beads and gemstones. I buy a range of metal beads here that I use in my line of memory wire bracelets (like the one in the picture!). The beads all come from as far away as India, Kenya and Ethiopia, among many other places. I also buy lots and lots of gemstone beads here--you can see the combination of two strands of beautiful ocean jasper beads in the bracelet pictured above. They sell everything from $6 strands of hematite to $200 strands of fine silver beads, and everything in between. If you're looking for something but can't seem to find it, make sure to ask the staff. Somebody knowledgeable is always there to help and they will often make suggestions. It is easy to spend an entire afternoon poking around this store, and I highly recommend it!
Final Thoughts
I have to say it again: If you have a Tax ID, you should always bring it with you to any supply store you go to! (Or at least bring it the first time, so they can add you to their system). You should give it to them before they start ringing you up--at the least, you don't pay sales tax, and at the best you get other, awesome discounts and other fun perks. Something I realized recently is that a lot of these stores (here in NYC and in other places too!) also make jewelry for customers--I know for a fact that Lavaliere, Genuine Ten Ten, and Leekan all will create a necklace or bracelet for you with supplies you purchase from their store, often on the spot. They all offer really reasonable prices too, so if you're not a jewelry designer but want to help design your own piece(s), you should check that out! All of these stores are small businesses, and many are family operations. I know a lot of designers who shop mostly online, but I never have. I would really miss the human element that comes with physically going into the stores--I really like getting to know the staff at each store I frequent, and I always feel good about giving them my money, because I know exactly who it is going to! So, go out and support your local small businesses! I know firsthand how much it means :)
So what do you think? Did I miss the best stores? Did you have a bad experience at one of the stores I mentioned?? Let me know what you think in the comments!
(PS-Some of these stores also have websites, but I didn't include them because the way that you will find the best selection at each place is by physically going into the store. If you'd like the website for one of the stores, you can easily google it yourself, or message me and I'll send it over! Happy shopping!)
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