Stage 1: Brief and Quotation
The process begins when the client provides a design brief: a photo, sketch, CAD file, or reference product with target specifications including metal type, stone size and quality, ring size (if applicable), plating preference, target order quantity, packaging requirements, and target delivery date. HOLYCOME reviews the brief for design for manufacturability (DFM), flags any technical concerns (stone sizes too small for reliable setting, structural weaknesses in thin bands), and returns a formal quotation within two to three business days. The quotation shows unit price, one-time mold fee if applicable, sample cost, lead time, and payment terms.
Stage 2: CAD Design
Once the quotation is accepted, the in-house CAD team builds a 3D model of the piece in Rhino or Matrix, with exact dimensions, stone layouts, and shank profiles. Clients receive three-view rendered images for review and typically request one to two rounds of revisions (proportions, stone size, band width) before approval. CAD takes two to four days per design depending on complexity.
Stage 3: 3D Wax or Resin Printing
Approved CAD files are printed in wax or resin on a 3D printer. This physical model lets clients check proportions and fit before committing to metal. Photos are shared by default; physical wax prints can be shipped on request for a small fee. Printing takes two to three days.
Stage 4: Metal Sample
A metal sample is cast from the wax model in the client's specified metal, stones are set, and the piece is polished and plated to final finish. Photos are shared first, and the physical sample is shipped to the client via DHL for hands-on approval. Metal samples take five to seven days after wax approval.
Stage 5: Sample Approval and Revisions
Clients review the metal sample against the brief. Up to two rounds of revisions are included in the initial sample fee; additional revisions are billed separately. Once the sample is approved by email, the design is frozen for mass production. Approval typically takes three to seven days depending on client responsiveness.
Stage 6: Mass Production
A rubber production mold is made from the approved sample, enabling consistent casting of the full order. Bulk casting, setting, polishing, plating, and QC then proceed through the standard production flow. Clients can request production photos at key stages (after casting, after setting, before plating) for visibility into progress. Mass production takes 15 to 25 days depending on volume and design complexity.
Stage 7: Final QC and Shipment
Final inspection, packaging, customs documentation (commercial invoice, packing list, certificate of origin on request), and shipping via the client's chosen method (DHL, FedEx, air freight, sea freight) take three to five days after production completes. Tracking numbers are provided on the day of shipment.
Mold Fees and Mold Retention
Mold fees range from 80 US dollars for simple band designs to over 300 dollars for complex multi-piece designs with extensive stone setting. Mold fees are refundable as a credit against orders exceeding 500 pieces placed within twelve months. HOLYCOME retains production molds for at least two years, making reorders fast and economical for repeat designs.
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 Jewelry Manufacturer OEM/ODM Guide, Custom Moissanite Engagement Ring CAD Design Process, Moissanite Ring OEM Manufacturing Process.
