Learn the Truth About Jewelry Pricing

Ever wonder why you see the “same” piece of jewelry in different stores for different prices? Often, the difference isn’t the diamond—it’s the chain of custody.

Why prices vary

The more companies involved in making, handling, or distributing a piece of jewelry, the higher the final price tends to be. Retailers often buy from different sources, and the further a piece is from the original rough purchase, the more layers of cost are added.

Typical chain of custody in the U.S.

Many jewelry items pass through multiple independent businesses, such as:

• Rough sourcing / diamond purchasing
• Import / export
• Cutting
• Polishing
• Manufacturing
• Wholesale / distribution
• Retail

Chain of custody: how many steps happen before jewelry reaches the consumer.

Each step is independently owned and operated, which increases overall costs. Put simply: no one works for free.

The Diamond History Museum approach

At the Diamond History Museum, we focus on reducing unnecessary layers between sourcing and retail. By minimizing reliance on middlemen, distributors, and wholesalers, we improve transparency and value—without compromising craftsmanship.

At DHM, we aim to deliver a true source-to-retail experience—eliminating avoidable costs in between.