Jewellery tag
Specialty tags
Authored by RFID.me Last updated Editorial policy
What is it?
Jewellery RFID tags are miniaturised UHF tags designed to be attached to rings, necklaces, watches, and other high-value items in retail. They typically take the form of a tiny barbell or dumbbell-shaped label on a fine thread that loops through a clasp or around a display card. The tag must be extremely small (often under 10 mm) yet still provide reliable UHF reads for inventory counting.
How it works
A miniaturised UHF inlay (typically using a near-field UHF antenna design) is encapsulated in a small plastic or paper housing. A fine string or wire loop allows attachment to jewellery without damaging it. Some designs use a butterfly-shaped adhesive label that wraps around a ring band. Near-field UHF coupling is used because far-field antennas at this size would have very poor range.
Use cases
- Jewellery retail inventory
- Watch retail and service tracking
- Precious gemstone tracking
- Luxury goods authentication
- Pawnshop inventory management
Pros
- Enables rapid jewellery inventory counting (minutes vs hours)
- Small enough to attach to rings and fine chains
- Significant shrinkage reduction in retail
- Supports both point-of-sale and backroom inventory
Cons
- Very short read range due to miniaturised antenna
- Higher per-unit cost than standard labels
- Delicate – small tags can be accidentally damaged
- Read performance affected by nearby metal jewellery
Specifications
| Power type | Passive – powered by reader signal |
|---|---|
| Frequency | UHF (860–960 MHz) |
| Read range | 0.5–2 m |
| Lifespan | 3–5 years |
| Price range | $0.10–$0.50 per unit |
| Environmental rating | Indoor retail only |