Stage 1: Incoming Material Inspection
Before any raw material enters production, every parcel is checked. Silver and gold stock is XRF tested for purity; any batch that does not meet the specified alloy composition is returned to the metal supplier. Stones are sampled at AQL 1.5 for carat weight, color grade, clarity, and cut quality. For moissanite, color is graded against master stones under 5000K daylight-equivalent lighting, and any parcel with more than two percent stones below the ordered color grade is rejected. In 2025, incoming material rejection averaged 11.8 percent, driven primarily by off-color moissanite parcels and silver grain slightly below 925 fineness from certain secondary suppliers.
Stage 2: In-Process Quality Control
After casting, every production tree is inspected for porosity, incomplete fill, and flashing before pieces are cut off. After stone setting, a dedicated setting QC team checks each piece under 10x loupe for proper prong pressure, seat depth (stones must be seated at least 0.15 millimeters below the girdle), and alignment (prong height symmetry, stone levelness). After polishing, pieces are inspected for surface finish under 5000K lighting, which reveals micro-scratches that warm lighting hides. Plating thickness is measured by XRF on three pieces per plating rack, rejecting any piece below the specified thickness.
Stage 3: Final Random Inspection (FRI)
When a batch is complete, the QC department performs a random sampling inspection using the AQL 1.5 plan for major defects and AQL 2.5 for minor defects. Major defects include loose stones, broken clasps or findings, wrong metal stamping, visible porosity at 30 centimeter viewing distance, and plating failure. Minor defects include light polishing marks, minor asymmetry within 0.1 millimeters, and faint polish lines. If a batch fails FRI, every piece in the batch is inspected individually rather than shipping with the elevated defect rate, and defective pieces are remade. HOLYCOME's outgoing major defect rate was 0.28 percent across all 2025 shipments, below the 0.5 percent target.
Stage 4: Optional Third-Party Testing
For clients selling into regulated markets, HOLYCOME arranges third-party testing through SGS or Intertek at the client's cost. Nickel release testing per EN 1811 costs approximately 150 US dollars per material type with a five to seven working day turnaround. REACH SVHC screening and Prop65 heavy metal testing are available in the same price range. These reports are issued in the client's company name for direct submission to customs or retail compliance departments.
Stage 5: Packaging Inspection
Before cartons are sealed, packers verify piece count per carton against the packing list, check for correct SKU labeling and size sorting, and ensure that any client-specific packaging requirements (velvet pouches, gift boxes, hangtags, warranty cards) are correctly applied. Export cartons are strapped and corner-protected for international air or sea freight.
For independent references, see the Gemological Institute of America for gemological standards, the FTC Jewelry Guides for marketing disclosure rules, and EUR-Lex for EU REACH regulation text.
Practical Sourcing Tips for First-Time Buyers
For buyers placing their first order with a new manufacturer, several practical steps substantially reduce risk. Start with a small sample order of one to three pieces before committing to bulk. Evaluate packaging, stamping accuracy, stone alignment, polish quality, and rhodium finish on the physical sample rather than relying on photos alone. Confirm that communication with the account manager is clear and responsive. Request production photos at the casting and setting stages on the first order to verify progress and address problems early.
When inspecting samples, check that ring sizes match ordered specifications within 0.10 millimeters, that stone spacing is consistent in pave layouts, that clasps open and close with positive resistance, that earring posts are straight and firmly soldered, that chain links have no gaps, that plating is even on hidden areas such as the inside of bands and the backs of pendants, and that metal stamps are legible and correctly placed. Catching these issues on the sample prevents defective pieces in bulk production.
Send written approvals by email listing any corrections needed before bulk starts. Verbal approvals over chat can be misremembered; email creates a clear record both sides can reference during final inspection. For Q4 holiday selling, place orders by the end of August at the latest to leave time for production, shipping, customs, and any reorders needed before Black Friday and Christmas.
Time Zones, Communication, and Factory Visits
HOLYCOME account managers operate on Chinese business hours, 9am to 6pm GMT+8 Monday through Saturday. For US East Coast buyers this is evening Eastern Time; for EU buyers it is midday to afternoon Central European Time. Response times are within 24 hours for inquiries, and same-day for urgent production matters during business hours. All production documentation, quotations, invoices, and inspection reports are issued in English. Video calls and virtual factory tours can be scheduled in advance.
HOLYCOME regularly exhibits at JCK Las Vegas, the Hong Kong Jewellery and Gem Fair in September, and Vicenzaoro in January and September. Meeting in person at a trade show is an efficient way to review samples, discuss new designs, and align on production plans. Buyers are also welcome to visit the Wuzhou factory directly; HOLYCOME can arrange airport pickup from Guangzhou Baiyun International Airport or Wuzhou Xijiang Airport on request.
Building Long-Term Manufacturing Partnerships
The most successful B2B relationships in jewelry manufacturing are long-term partnerships, not one-off transactions. Brands placing consistent monthly or quarterly orders receive priority production scheduling, preferential pricing as volumes scale, early access to new designs, and increasingly flexible payment terms. HOLYCOME works with many clients who started with 50-piece trial orders and grew to multi-thousand-piece monthly programs over one to two years. Growth on both sides is the objective.
Open communication about sales performance helps manufacturers plan better. When a design sells out faster than expected, sharing that information early lets the factory reserve capacity for the reorder before the production queue fills for peak season. When a design underperforms, that feedback helps the factory suggest alternatives better matched to the brand's customer base.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order for custom?
Minimum order is 50 pieces per design for sterling silver pieces and 30 pieces per design for gold pieces. First-time trial orders can start at 20 pieces with a 10 percent surcharge. Samples are available before bulk commitment.
How long does production take?
Samples take 7-10 days after CAD approval. Bulk orders of 50-200 pieces ship in 12-18 days, 500-piece orders in 20-28 days, and container orders in 30-40 days. Lead time starts after deposit payment and sample approval.
Do your products meet EU and US compliance?
Yes. All pieces comply with EU REACH and RoHS, US CPSIA lead and cadmium limits, and California Prop65. Third-party SGS or Intertek nickel release and heavy metal reports are available on request. Every shipment includes a Declaration of Conformity.
Can you do custom designs and private label?
HOLYCOME offers full OEM and ODM service including CAD design, 3D wax printing, mold making, custom metal stamps, logo engraving, custom packaging, hangtags, and warranty cards. Private label programs start at 100 pieces per design.
What payment terms do you accept?
Standard terms are 30 percent deposit by T/T with the balance before shipment. L/C at sight is accepted for orders over 20,000 US dollars. PayPal is accepted for sample payments under 500 US dollars with a 4.5 percent processing fee.
How are defects handled after delivery?
Confirmed manufacturing defects (loose stones, casting porosity, plating failure, broken findings) within 90 days are remade free of charge. Claims require photos and must be filed within 30 days of receipt.
Get Started
Ready to source custom or request a formal quote? Contact HOLYCOME with your specifications including quantity, metal preference, stone size and grade, packaging needs, and target delivery date, and an English-speaking account manager will respond within 24 business hours with a detailed quotation. New clients are encouraged to start with a sample order of one to three pieces to evaluate quality before committing to bulk production.
Explore our product lines: Loose Moissanite | Moissanite Jewelry | Our Manufacturing Process | Contact Us for a Quote
Related reading: Custom Moissanite Design Service Complete Process Guide, Custom Moissanite Rings Design Manufacturing Service, Custom Moissanite Necklaces Design Service OEM.
