Quick Checklist (printable)

• Provenance verified: country; region; and form factor (e.g., “Brazilian amethyst geodes; cut/polish in ES”). Ask for region names; not “South America somewhere.”
• Consistency: samples match production; grading rubric defined; not just “AAA lol”. Use example photos and measurable tolerances (dimensions; weight bands).
• MOQ (minimum order quantity): stated in writing; test at $500–$1.5k before scaling. If they can’t quote lead time windows; they can’t plan; neither can you.
• Paperwork competence: HS codes (Harmonized System codes); CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species; if applicable); commercial invoice accuracy. A sloppy invoice creates storage charges and delay drama.
• Packing SOP: inner wrap; edge protection; carton strength; photos on request. If they refuse to show how they pack; they’re outsourcing the risk to you.
• REAL COMPANY SIGNALS: full company name; public street address; named humans; phone; verifiable reviews. Anonymous sites sell vibes; real suppliers sell repeatability.

Pro tip: if two or more of the above are “unknown”; the energy is off. Don’t force it. NEXT.

What this checklist prevents: inflated landed costs; fake grading surprises; “mystery” packing; inventory arriving late to your drop; and the classic “we’ll fix on the next order” excuse. Your brand bleeds trust long before your P&L (profit and loss) shows it. Keep receipts; literally and figuratively.

Local (US/Canada) vs Importing (Brazil; India; Morocco; China): 2025 Reality

There’s no one-size answer. It’s a trade-off between speed; selection; cost; and risk. The right play often blends both: local for time-sensitive and fragile SKUs (SKU = stock keeping unit); importing for commodity breadth and price-per-kg efficiency. You’re optimizing for predictable sell-through; not lottery wins. If your calendar has product launches; markets; or holidays; lead time reliability outranks theoretical cents-per-gram savings.

At-a-glance Comparison

2025 Tariff/Regulatory Landscape (what to track)

• Classification specificity: your HS code must reflect the exact product form (rough vs worked; décor vs jewelry inputs). “Close enough” is not a strategy.
• Duties/tariffs volatility: monitor announcements; your margin lives and dies on classification + origin matching reality.
• Documentation quality: commercial invoice lines that match packing lists; consistent weights; proper country-of-origin marking; broker pre-advise. In Canada; that means getting files clean for CBSA (Canada Border Services Agency); in the US; for CBP (U.S. Customs and Border Protection).
• De minimis/courier constraints: multiple small consignments can help or hurt; do the math; not the myth.

Bottom line: local wins when you need speed/consistency or you’re launching a new SKU with uncertain demand. Importing wins on repeatable commodity SKUs once your QC + freight workflow is dialed. If you can’t reliably forecast sales velocity; buy small and local until you can. Your cash flow is not a science experiment.

Pricing & Landed Cost (with formulas)

Don’t compare supplier quotes in a vacuum. Compare landed costs per unit after everything hits your shelf intact. This is where most new sellers get wrecked. Two suppliers quoting the same $/kg can finish 15–30% apart once you layer freight; duty; brokerage; insurance; breakage; rejects; and dead time waiting for a late container. The margin killer isn’t price; it’s variance.

The Core Formula

landed_per_kg = (exw_price + inland_freight + international_freight + insurance + broker_fees + duty_tariffs + taxes) / net_kg_received

net_kg_received = gross_kg - breakage_kg - rejects_kg

retail_price = landed_per_unit / (1 - target_margin)

“net_kg_received” is the adulting line. If you don’t measure it; you’re subsidizing someone else’s sloppy packing and wishful grading. Track it order by order. Over time; you’ll know which forms/routes inflate breakage so you can steer around them.

Practical Ranges to Model

• Breakage/shrink: local courier: ~0.5–1.5%; import air: ~1–3%; import LCL (less than container load) sea: ~3–8% (varies with packing SOP). Your numbers will firm up after 3–5 shipments if you actually log them.
• Brokerage/clearance: expect a fixed base and variable per-shipment adders. Budget both. Pre-advise docs to avoid storage fees; storage is pure margin destruction.
• FX: invoice currency matters. If you sell in CAD (Canadian dollar) and buy in USD (U.S. dollar); keep payment windows short and batch orders to reduce exposure; don’t guess the market.
• Working capital cost: slow sea freight ties up cash. Air might cost more per kg but keeps the flywheel spinning. Model time-to-cash; not just landed cents.

Mini Table: Landed Cost Line Items

Do: run two scenarios (air vs sea) and include breakage & working capital cost. Don’t: ignore time-to-cash; slower freight ties up dollars and risks stockouts.

Worked Example (structure; not promises)

Suppose you’re comparing a local buy vs an import. The local quote shows a higher $/kg but arrives in five days with low shrink and zero brokerage drama. The import quote looks great until you add origin trucking; air freight; brokerage; duty; and a realistic breakage allowance. If your event is in two weeks; local wins even if the spreadsheet says the import’s theoretical landed is slightly lower. Because “slightly lower but late” = lost sales now; plus discounting later. You can’t deposit hypothetical margin.

FX Tactics (lightweight; effective)

• Ask for quotes in your home currency when possible; if not; keep payment windows tight (confirm validity dates).
• Batch small orders instead of paying transfer fees four times and exposing to new FX swings every week.
• Don’t over-hedge. Your inventory should turn; focus on cycle time over cute FX predictions.

Quality; Grading & Consistency (what actually matters)

“AAA” is not a standard. It’s marketing shorthand. Your job is to convert vibes into a rubric you and suppliers can align on. Two people can look at the same tower and argue; so define terms in advance with photos and numbers. Your future self will thank you when a reorder lands exactly like the last one.

Build a 5-Point QC Rubric

1. Color/Saturation: define acceptable hue ranges by SKU family. For rose quartz; tolerance for milkiness vs translucence; for amethyst; saturation bands. Include 3–5 reference photos per band.
2. Clarity/Opacity: some forms are allowed inclusions; others aren’t. Note what’s “character” vs “defect”. Write it down.
3. Cut/Polish/Symmetry: tower points centered; bases flat; polish uniform (no haze). Specify a % of bases that must sit level on a flat surface.
4. Defects Per 100 Units: chips; cracks; mis-shapes; resin fills. Agree an acceptable defect rate. If exceeded; what’s the remedy; replacement or credit.
5. Size Tolerances: towers within +/- a few mm; spheres within weight bands. Bigger buyers: request caliper spot checks. Smaller buyers: weigh/measure 10–20% of the lot.

Sample Pack SOP (fast reality check)

• Budget: $500–$1,500 in mixed forms. Enough to expose typical defects without risking the farm.
• Request: live photos/video of the actual stock to pick from; not catalog pics. Insist on time-stamped clips.
• Inspect on arrival: measure 10–20% of units; record variances; photograph defects. You’re building a baseline; not nitpicking.
• Feedback loop within 72h; if they engage and fix; good sign. If defensive or ghosting; NEXT. Behavior on small orders predicts behavior on big ones.

Yes; if something feels energetically off when you open the box; pay attention. Then prove it with counts and photos. Intuition first; data second. That’s how you keep your brand in integrity and your margins intact.

Ethics & Provenance without greenwashing

Real traceability = region or mine (where possible) → cutter → exporter → you. Most of the market can’t hit full chain-of-custody on every SKU; but they should be honest about what they know. If a supplier can name regions and cutters and show repeat shipments from those channels; your risk is lower than with a vague “we source globally” answer that never gets specific.

• Ask specifics: “Which region” beats “ethically sourced” fluff. Regions are harder to fake than adjectives.
• Check consistency: if they claim a mine; do the forms and colors line up over time. Real sources have patterns; fakers have mood swings.
• Documentation: exporter registrations and; where relevant; CITES. At minimum; clean commercial invoices with correct origin. “We’ll fill it in later” is how detention bills happen.
• Communicate truth to customers: you will not know everything; all the time. Commit to accuracy over performance. The spiritual market reads energy; honesty calibrates it.

Note: if a supplier gets performatively offended when you ask provenance questions; that’s information. Real suppliers answer with facts; not vibes.

Red Flags & Scam Patterns (walk away fast)

Counterpoint: small family suppliers may be rough around the edges but honest. Distinguish lack of polish from lack of integrity. One improves with coaching; the other burns you. Trust your read; then validate.

Vetting SOP + Supplier Scorecard (free template fields)

1. Identity & Address: verify legal name and street address (Street View). Search business registries. Call the phone; see who answers. If the address is a mailbox store; proceed with caution.
2. Trade References: ask for two buyers in your region or market segment. Ask simple questions: on-time; packing quality; what happens when something goes wrong.
3. Documents: ask what HS codes they use; whether any SKUs trigger CITES; request a pro-forma invoice that matches your PO (purchase order) lines. Sloppiness here becomes your problem later.
4. Sample Order: run your QC rubric; write down defect rates and breakage. Offer constructive feedback; see if they adjust. You’re testing collaboration; not just product.
5. Terms: 30/70 is normal. Credit card with fee is fine for small tests; bank for larger. Specify replacement policy for transit damage and how claims are processed (photos within X days; etc.).

Supplier Scorecard (fields to copy into Sheets)

Weights (suggested): Price 25; Quality 25; Reliability 25; Ethics 25. If your brand story leans heavily on provenance; bias Ethics higher. If you run limited drops where timing is king; bias Reliability higher.

Copy-Paste: Sample Request Email

Subject: Sample Order & Documentation Request – [Your Shop]

Hi [Name], we’d like a trial order for [SKUs/weights]. Please confirm:
1) HS code(s) you will declare,
2) CITES requirement (if any),
3) packing SOP (materials; carton strength; inner protection),
4) lead time,
5) payment terms (30/70 preferred),
6) photos/video of the actual stock to pick from (no catalog images).

Ship to: [address]. Thanks!
    

How to Use the Scorecard

Score after each touchpoint; not just after the unboxing: response time to your first email; clarity of pro-forma; honesty about stock-outs; willingness to fix issues. The best suppliers aren’t perfect; they’re consistent; and they own problems fast. If the feel keeps dipping; slower replies; vaguer answers; trust that signal. Then memorialize it in the score. Numbers don’t argue.

Shipping & Packing: breakage is a margin tax

Crystals chip. Assume carriers will drop; toss; and crush. Your SOP is the difference between profit and pain. Heavy; dense items concentrate force; edges are weak points; polish hides micro-cracks that turn into shipping chips. Build your packing around those facts; not hope.

Mode Selection

• Air courier: fastest; highest per-kg cost; wins for small; high-value; time-sensitive replenishment. Packaging can be slightly lighter; but don’t skimp on edge protection.
• Air freight: better economics at medium weights; expect airport handling and extra touchpoints. Protect corners and label cartons clearly.
• LCL sea: cheapest per kg; slow; stacking risk. Overbuild cartons and keep inner boxes tight so nothing shifts. Moisture control matters.

Packing SOP (minimums)

• Primary wrap per piece (bubble or foam) with overlap on edges and points. Tape wraps so they don’t unwind in transit.
• Edge protection for slabs and geodes; corner guards for towers; sleeves for points. Double-box heavy or high-value sets.
• Void fill with compression (nothing rattles). Do the shake test. Then a controlled low-height drop test before sealing. If you hear clacks; re-pack.
• Rigid cartons with adequate crush rating; consistent tape. Moisture barrier if transit exceeds a couple weeks.
• Photo documentation pre-seal for claims. Place a packing list inside and outside. Label weight and fragile where carriers actually see it.

Insurance: buy it. It’s cheap compared to a shattered pallet of spheres. Claims require proof; keep your photos and packing SOP handy.

Want the shipping deep-dive; read: Mastering Shipping for Crystal Sellers in 2025.

Reviews & Trust: how to present proof (and what buyers believe)

Buyers trust what they can verify: named humans; a warehouse address; operational photos; and reviews tied to real orders. Good copy converts; good proof compels. If your supplier hides their existence; you carry the reputational risk to your shoppers.

• Reviews with receipts: include SKU names; month/year; and region; attach a photo of the actual batch received. Text-only praise is nice; evidence is better.
• Operations photos: packing bench; QC station; warehouse aisles. Show repeatable process; not one tidy corner staged for Instagram.
• Public address & hours: “open to pickup by appointment” builds confidence fast. A map embed beats paragraphs.
• Team roster: first/last names; roles; and a direct phone or email. This is the trench where anonymous sites can’t compete.

Anonymous supplier website with no address; no team; no ops photos. HARD PASS. Energy check says “no”; and the due diligence agrees. Real businesses are findable; if they’re not; that’s the point.

2025 FAQs (real answers)

Is importing cheaper in 2025

Often for commodity SKUs; if you run the full landed math (freight; duty; broker; FX; breakage) and order enough volume to amortize costs. For new SKUs or fragile forms; local may pencil better. “Cheaper” is a function of volume and predictability; not just an invoice number.

Do I need CITES for [stone]

Depends on species and product form. Ask your supplier explicitly; when in doubt; confirm before you ship. Wrong answers create seizures and delays you can’t charm your way out of. Don’t guess; ask; document; and keep that documentation with the shipment record.

What’s a reasonable MOQ

Local: flexible (by case or mixed cartons). Import: higher; especially for custom cuts and matching sets. Negotiate mixed SKUs to hit volume without accidentally buying 400 of a slow-moving variant. If your supplier only sells in huge monolithic lots; you’re financing their convenience.

How do I avoid junk “AAA” grades

Define grading with photos; size tolerances; and defect-per-100 metrics. Require live stock photos or video before you pay. Build a visual library so you and the supplier are literally looking at the same standard. If they refuse or argue the premise; believe them; they can’t or won’t deliver consistency.

How do I price retail fairly

Back-calc from landed cost per unit; then apply target margin by category; not a flat % across everything. Use price bands that make sense to customers (by size; clarity; polish quality). If your landed cost is unstable; fix that before you “optimize” prices. Chaos-in; chaos-out.

Can I split shipments to dodge pain

Sometimes. Small consignments can help with cash flow and speed but may raise per-kg costs and increase touchpoints; more chances for loss or damage. Balance calendar needs; MOQ realities; and the actual math; not folklore.

Where do I learn more

• Crystal Market Trends 2025: What New Business Owners Need to Know
• Tucson Gem Show 2025 Survival Guide (2026 update coming soon)
• The #1 Thing New Crystal Sellers Get Wrong
• Selling at Markets vs Online ; What No One Tells You
• Wholesale Buying for Beginners
• Crystal Marketing Beyond the Basics
• 2025 Gem & Mineral Shows in Canada and USA

Why Stonebridge Imports (evidence; not hype)

We’re wholesalers who actually run the operational grind: real warehouse; real team; real phone number; and systems built to reduce your risk while protecting your margins. We sell to artisans; one-person shops; and independents who need consistent quality without drama. We believe in teaching what we know; because an educated buyer becomes a repeat customer. If the partnership feels right and the numbers prove it; that’s the whole game.

We are based in Canada; shipping; duties; taxes

• Country: Canada; warehouse in Kitchener; Ontario; serving Canada and the USA.
• Free Shipping: available on qualifying wholesale orders; details on cart and checkout.
• 365-Exchange Guarantee: if something isn’t working for you within 365 days; talk to us; we prioritize fair exchanges to keep your assortment moving.
• Duties & taxes at checkout: you will either see duties and taxes calculated at checkout; or in some cases they will not be charged at checkout. We are transitioning from taxes included in price to showing and charging applicable duties and taxes during checkout; so your invoice reflects the true breakdown. If no charges appear; they are not being collected by us at that time.

We test trends in our own retail brand; then bring winners to wholesale partners

We operate a separate consumer-facing brand with in-person retail and online sales; so we see real shopper behavior; not just wholesale theory. We test new forms; bundles; price bands; merchandising; and social content on a live audience; then roll proven winners into our wholesale catalog. That means our wholesale partners get assortments and tactics that are already battle-tested; not speculative. When something spikes; you hear about it fast; and you get replen paths that actually land on time.

Trust Signals You Can Verify

• Public address: Kitchener; ON ; warehouse photos available. Pickup by appointment.
• Named team & support hours: you can call us and a human answers; emails get responses within stated SLAs.
• Transparent policies: clear replacement process for transit breakage; straightforward terms; 365-Exchange Guarantee; free shipping thresholds.
• Operational maturity: Shopify + WMS (warehouse management system); inventory turns measured; not guessed. Replenishment is a process; not a prayer.
• Education-first: we publish playbooks and calculators so you can make smart buys; even if you don’t buy from us today. Start here; scale with confidence.

Stonebridge vs “Others” (criteria that matter)

Starter Wholesale Kit: low-MOQ; curated forms to test sell-through without blowing your cash flow. If the first kit sells the way you expect and the feel is aligned; we scale. If not; we adjust. No drama; just data.

Related Resources & Deep Dives

• Crystal Market Trends 2025
• Tucson Gem Show 2025 Survival Guide (2026 update coming soon)
• Shipping for Crystal Sellers in 2025
• #1 Thing New Sellers Get Wrong
• Selling at Markets vs Online ; What No One Tells You
• Wholesale Buying for Beginners
• Crystal Marketing ; Beyond the Basics
• 2025 Gem & Mineral Show Guide (CA/USA)

Next Steps

1. Copy the scorecard fields into your Google Sheet; add your top 3–5 suppliers; and score them honestly after each interaction; not just after unboxing.
2. Run two landed cost scenarios (air vs sea) with realistic breakage and working capital assumptions. If your calendar requires speed; weight time-to-cash appropriately.
3. Start with a small test pack; if the feel is good and the numbers check; scale gradually. If not; pivot fast. Your first loss is your best loss.
4. When you’re ready; talk to Stonebridge about a Starter Wholesale Kit; free shipping options; duties and taxes handling at checkout in Canada and cross-border; and the 365-Exchange Guarantee. Real address; real team; real operations. That’s the trust stack.

Questions Call us. Real humans. Real address. If it matters to your margins; it matters to us.