How do I price and market ultra-niche handmade jewelry on Etsy without killing sales?

Hi! What you’re seeing (steady favorites but few sales) is pretty common for ultra-niche jewelry at a higher price point on Etsy—favorites often mean “love it, not ready yet,” and niche + $70 absolutely narrows the pool of buyers who (1) need that exact item, (2) trust a newer shop, and (3) are ready to spend right now. It doesn’t mean your pricing is wrong, but it does mean conversion will usually be slower and more sensitive to trust signals (photos, reviews, clear sizing, return/exchange clarity, shipping speed).

A few helpful realities about Etsy conversion with niche + higher price

• Niche reduces traffic and raises “match” requirements. With something like ear stretchers, a buyer has to be the right person and have the right size and want that style. That alone lowers conversion versus “standard” earrings.
• Higher price raises the proof bar. At ~$70, buyers typically want reassurance: close-up detail, comfort info, durability, plating/care details, strong product descriptions, and (big one) shop credibility (reviews, consistency, policies).
• Favorites are a good sign, but not a guarantee. People favorite to compare, wait for payday, or “save for later.” For higher-priced jewelry, that delay is normal—especially for a newer shop.

How long to test before making big changes
If you’re not running Etsy Ads, I’d generally give a listing a fair test window in “seasons,” not days—because Etsy traffic and buying intent can swing week to week.

Here’s a practical approach:

• Photos + listing fundamentals: If you suspect the photos or core clarity is weak, fix that now (don’t wait). Photo improvements rarely “ruin” a listing, and they’re usually the highest-impact change for jewelry.
• SEO changes: Test Etsy SEO in one controlled update at a time, then give it a few weeks to settle. Etsy can take time to learn who to show your listing to after tag/title changes.
• Pricing tests: Don’t yo-yo price every few days. If you want to test price, do it in clean, separated chunks of time (and ideally keep everything else the same while you test).
• Product direction changes (like adding standard earrings): You don’t need to wait for “proof you failed.” Adding a complementary product line is often the fastest way to increase traffic and cross-sell without abandoning your niche.

If you want a simple rule: optimize presentation immediately, then test the same core product for long enough to collect meaningful data before you conclude demand isn’t there. If your views are low, it’s usually a traffic/SEO problem; if views are decent but sales are low, it’s usually a conversion/trust/value problem.

What I’d do in your situation (without killing your brand)

1) Keep the niche, but add “bridge” products

Expanding into more “standard” earrings can be smart if you do it as a gateway to your niche rather than a totally separate vibe. Examples:

• Designs that echo the ear stretcher style (same motifs, textures, shapes) in regular hooks/studs/hoops
• “Matching set” concept: standard earrings + stretchers in the same collection
• Lower-commitment items (smaller pieces, simpler variants) that build reviews and trust

This helps because many shoppers won’t buy a niche stretcher from a brand-new shop as their first purchase—but they might buy a simpler earring first and come back.

2) Price for confidence, not just cost

At ~$70, people ask “Why is this worth it?” Make the answer obvious:

• Show scale and detail (macro shots, on-ear shots, side angle, back view)
• Spell out materials and comfort (what “gold-tone” actually means in your shop, skin sensitivity notes, weight, finish, care)
• Reduce uncertainty: sizing guides, “how to choose your size,” what arrives in the package, gift-ready packaging

If you’re worried price is the blocker, consider testing a ‘good/better/best’ ladder instead of discounting everything:

• A simpler entry version (lower price)
• Your current $70 hero piece
• A premium upgrade (more detail, add-on charm, upgraded packaging)

That way you protect your brand and still catch more budgets.

3) Use favorites as a marketing lever (without being spammy)

Since you’re getting favorites, build around that behavior:

• Make sure you’re using Etsy’s built-in promo tools carefully (occasional sale events or targeted offers if you use them), but don’t rely on constant discounts—it can train buyers to wait.
• Add strong “save-worthy” photos: a clean first photo, then detail/scale/sizing/care. Favorites often come from great first photos, but sales come from the supporting images.

4) Diagnose using one simple split: “traffic problem” vs “conversion problem”

Look at each listing and ask:

• Are people finding it? (views are low) → focus on Etsy SEO, categories/attributes, and whether your main keywords match what buyers actually type.
• Are people viewing but not buying? (views/favorites but few carts/sales) → focus on perceived value, clarity, trust, shipping cost/processing time, and “what exactly am I getting?”

Two quick conversion boosters for niche jewelry:

• A super clear sizing/fit graphic in the photos (people avoid buying when they’re unsure)
• A short “why this is special” line near the top of the description (not buried)

If you tell me roughly: (1) how many views you’re getting per week across the shop, (2) whether you have any reviews yet, and (3) whether buyers ever message questions about sizing/materials—then I can help you decide if you should prioritize price testing, SEO, photos, or expanding into standard earrings first.