New jewellery

When sourcing new jewellery, material integrity is paramount. For fine jewellery, ensure gold purity is hallmarked (e.g., 14K, 18K, or 24K) and silver is 925 Sterling Silver. For fashion jewellery, prioritize 316L Stainless Steel for its corrosion resistance and hypoallergenic properties, or environmental brass with PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) vacuum plating, which offers superior color retention compared to traditional electroplating.

Compliance is critical to avoid customs seizures. Products must adhere to REACH regulations (EU) and CPSIA standards (US), specifically limiting Lead, Cadmium, and Nickel content to prevent skin irritation. Ensure your supplier provides SGS or Intertek lab test reports for every batch to verify these chemical safety limits.

Focus on the setting and finishing techniques. Check if stones are hand-set (Prong or Bezel setting) rather than glued, as this significantly increases longevity. Inspect the polishing quality—high-end pieces should have a mirror-like finish with no visible casting marks. For functional parts, test the clasp tension and hinge durability to ensure they can withstand daily wear.

Market demand is currently shifting towards minimalist geometric designs, personalized initial/zodiac pieces, and sustainable lab-grown diamonds. Additionally, modular jewellery that can be worn in multiple ways is gaining traction. Sourcing suppliers who offer ODM (Original Design Manufacturer) services allows you to customize these trends to fit your specific brand identity.

Always request a pre-shipment inspection (PSI) by a third-party agency. Use Trade Assurance services on platforms like Made-in-China.com to secure your payment. Never rely solely on stock photos; insist on high-definition live videos of the actual production lot and a material analysis report (XRF testing) to confirm metal composition.

Negotiate based on volume-based pricing tiers. For 'New Jewellery' lines, start with a lower MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) for a trial order to test market response, even if the unit price is slightly higher. Discuss mold fees upfront—many suppliers will refund the mold cost once your cumulative order volume reaches a specific threshold (e.g., 500-1000 units).

Jewellery is high-value and low-volume, making Air Express (DHL, FedEx, UPS) the most viable option. Ensure the supplier uses discreet, tamper-evident packaging to prevent theft. For the products themselves, use anti-tarnish strips and vacuum-sealed polybags within the gift boxes to prevent oxidation during long-transit maritime or air humidity exposure.

Ensure the supplier has the right to sell the design or that the design is in the public domain. If you provide custom designs, sign a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) and an NNN (Non-use, Non-disclosure, and Non-circumvention) agreement to prevent the factory from selling your unique designs to other competitors.