Stauer jewelry has gained popularity in recent years for offering elaborate, ornate designs at surprisingly low prices. As an affordable alternative to high-end luxury brands, Stauer has cultivated a reputation for providing quality jewelry at a fraction of the cost.
But this begs the question – how can Stauer sell their pieces at such cheap prices relative to the rest of the jewelry market? There are several key reasons that explain Stauer’s inexpensive pricing.
Reasons For Stauer Jewelry Being So Cheap
Low Manufacturing Costs
One of the biggest factors allowing Stauer to price their jewelry so low is their streamlined manufacturing process. Stauer keeps production costs down in a few key ways:
- Mass Production – By producing jewelry in large quantities, Stauer benefits from economies of scale. The cost per unit goes down as volume goes up.
- Factory Direct – Stauer owns their own manufacturing facilities. This allows them to cut out middlemen markups from third party manufacturers.
- Vertical Integration – Stauer controls the entire supply chain from design to finished product. This optimized workflow reduces overheads.
- Low Labor Costs – Stauer operates factories in Asia and India where labor rates are much lower than in western countries.
- Machine Construction – Stauer uses machines for a significant portion of construction. This maximizes efficiency and minimizes reliance on costly specialized labor.
By keeping manufacturing costs low, Stauer has more flexibility to retail their jewelry at reduced prices.
Minimal Marketing Expenses
Another factor allowing Stauer to retail cheaply is their unique marketing approach. Most large jewelry brands allot hefty budgets for advertising and celebrity sponsorships. But Stauer takes a different strategy:
- Direct-to-Consumer – Stauer sells primarily through TV, radio, and online channels. This eliminates retailer markups.
- In-House Design – Rather than hiring famous external designers, Stauer relies on affordable in-house teams.
- Targeted Outreach – Stauer focuses marketing on channels seen by their target demographic, like Fox News, avoiding expensive mainstream campaigns.
- Digital Innovation – Stauer uses data analytics tools to identify the most effective marketing strategies for optimizing conversion rates.
With limited marketing overhead, Stauer is able to price pieces low while still turning strong profits. This lean, analytical approach to promotion is instrumental to their affordable pricing.
Also Read: Reasons For Brighton Jewelry Being So Expensive.
Use of Alternative Materials
Stauer further reduces costs by utilizing alternative metals and gemstones in place of pricier options:
- Surgical Steel – Stauer uses surgical grade stainless steel rather than precious metals like gold or platinum. This looks similar but costs a fraction of the price.
- Lab Gems – Many Stauer pieces incorporate lab-created gems rather than natural stones. These have the same appearance and properties for less.
- Synthetic Diamonds – Rather than mined diamonds, Stauer uses expertly engineered synthetic diamonds. These are chemically the same for less.
- Layered Gold – Some Stauer pieces apply gold plating over cheaper metals to get the look of solid gold for less.
- Resourceful Designs – Stauer maximizes use of affordable metals through clever constructions like tubular linkage chains.
While these materials reduce manufacturing costs, Stauer maintains excellent quality standards for durability and shine. The savings get directly passed on to retail pricing.
Strategic Pricing Model
Stauer employs a strategic pricing system to maximize perceived value:
- High MSRPs – Items are given inflated manufacturer’s suggested retail prices, sometimes 10x or more than the Stauer price. This makes the real price seem like a steal.
- Sales & Discounts – Stauer items almost always have promotional pricing, up to 80% off in many cases. This signals a hot deal.
- Bundling Deals – Stauer offers additional pieces for almost no cost as add-ons to purchases. This implies greater overall value.
- “Call-In” Pricing – The lowest prices are offered over the phone, enticing customers to engage personally.
- Time Limit Offers – Countdown timers create false urgency to buy pieces before time expires.
While the actual prices remain low, these tactics promote the perception of significant value and savings. That perception is key to Stauer’s pricing model.
How Reliable Is Stauer Jewelry?
Stauer jewelry gets mixed reviews regarding long-term reliability. They offer lengthy warranties – lifetime for jewelry and 5 years for watches. This demonstrates confidence in product durability.
Stauer prides themselves on meeting or exceeding the quality standards for each metal type they use. Their in-house Quality Assurance team rigorously inspects pieces before shipment to ensure they are free of defects.
However, some customers report issues with stones falling out, plating chipping or wearing off over time, and internal watch mechanisms breaking with regular use. This suggests Stauer’s quality may not be on par with true high-end luxury brands that fetch much higher prices.
While Stauer jewelry makes for nice occasional wear, it likely won’t withstand daily wear and tear as well premium jewelers. Proper care is required to maximize longevity, like avoiding submersion in water or harsh chemicals.
Overall, Stauer aims to provide good short to medium term durability for the low price, but their pieces cannot be considered heirloom quality for life. The inexpensive pricing reflects more affordable metals and construction than top-tier jewelers.
Customers need to adjust expectations accordingly.
Also Read: This Is Why Ippolita Jewelry Is So Expensive.
Is Stauer A Luxury Brand?
Stauer occupies an unusual space between costume jewelry and true high-end luxury brands. Their products certainly look luxurious, adorned with dramatic shapes, elaborate filigree, faux gems, and radiant gold finishes.
The styling conjures images of opulence and extravagance. But the materials and construction quality do not quite measure up to elite luxury houses like Cartier, Bvlgari, or Harry Winston.
Unlike most prestige jewelers, Stauer does not specialize in precious metals or natural diamonds. Their surgical steel, synthetic stones, layered gold platings, and emphasis on machine construction allow costs to stay low.
While Stauer mimics luxury aesthetics, their fabrication standards are more modest.
Additionally, top luxury brands curate exclusivity through high pricing and limited production runs. As a mass retailer, Stauer makes their ornate pieces widely accessible to the average consumer.
This departs from the elitism integral to luxury status.
While Stauer provides visual elegance, their affordable pricing structure ultimately brands them as more of an entry-level fashion jewelry company. They straddle the line between true adornment luxury and costume jewelry imitation.
For the cost, Stauer offers exceptional aesthetic quality, even if the materials fall short of elite refinement. The look and feel of luxury is there, but not the inflated price tag.
Are Stauer Watches Junk?
The term “junk” may be too harsh, but Stauer watches come with some caveats. They should not be considered high-end timepieces, but offer reasonable quality for the low prices. Here are some key considerations:
- Movements – Rather than premium mechanical movements, most Stauer watches use basic quartz movements sourced from outside suppliers. This allows costs to stay low but limits craftsmanship.
- Materials – Stauer watches feature stainless steel, mineral crystals, and simulated gem stones rather than sapphire crystal, ceramics, or precious metals found in fine watches. Durability is lower.
- Water Resistance – Many Stauer watches have water resistance suitable for hand washing, but not for swimming or showering. They are not optimized for ruggedness.
- Brand History – Stauer lacks the pedigree and prestige of eminent watchmakers who have been perfecting their craft for generations.
- Resale Value – The affordable pricing means Stauer watches will depreciate rapidly compared to say, an Omega, Rolex, or Patek. They are not good investments.
While “junk” unfairly maligns Stauer’s products, prospective buyers should understand these are fashion watches with emphasis on style over premier materials and mechanics. They serve well as inexpensive statement pieces, but do not offer fine watchmaking.
Also Read: Differences Between Modern Gents And BERRICLE Jewelry.
Is Stauer Swiss Made?
Stauer often advertises its watches as “Swiss Made”, which can be misleading. Under Swiss law, for a watch to be legally designated Swiss Made it must:
- Have Swiss Movement
- Be encased in Switzerland
- Be inspected in Switzerland
However, the majority of Stauer watch movements are actually sourced from outside suppliers, predominantly Japanese Miyota movements.
Stauer cases and assembles the watches in their facilities in Thailand and Hong Kong, not Switzerland.
And final inspection takes place at their US headquarters.
When Stauer uses the Swiss Made moniker, it generally refers to watches containing real Swiss movements like Ronda or ETA. But the bulk of their catalog does not actually meet the legal criteria for the coveted Swiss Made label.
Consumers should be aware that Stauer primarily makes affordably priced fashion watches, not true high-end Swiss timepieces.
Closing Remarks
In the end, Stauer provides an impressive value proposition – offering the visual allure of luxurious jewelry and watches at just a fraction of standard retail pricing. They accomplish this through smart optimization of design, manufacturing, materials sourcing, marketing and pricing models.
While Stauer pieces may not meet the exceptional craftsmanship standards of elite brands charging five or ten times as much, their combination of beauty and affordability is undeniably unique.
For budget-minded yet aesthetically-minded shoppers, Stauer’s ability to deliver sophisticated style at low cost offers an appealing opportunity to add beauty to their lives.
