What to Verify Before You Approve Production
Most jewelry quality issues don’t show up in the sample. They show up after customers start wearing the product—when plating fades, stones loosen, or clasps fail under daily use.
This checklist is designed for jewelry founders who want to approve production with confidence, not hope. It covers what actually needs to be verified before a PO goes live—and what should never be left to assumption.
1. Plating Thickness Benchmarks (By Product Type)
Plating is the #1 driver of returns in fashion and demi-fine jewelry. Visual inspection is not enough—micron thickness must be verified and documented.
Minimum Industry Benchmarks
| Product Type | Recommended Plating Thickness |
|---|---|
| Fashion jewelry (brass/zinc base) | 0.5–1.0 microns gold |
| Demi-fine (brass + premium finish) | 1.0–2.5 microns gold |
| Vermeil (on sterling silver) | ≥2.5 microns gold |
| Rhodium on silver | 0.1–0.2 microns |
| IP / PVD plating | Spec-based (not microns), requires adhesion testing |
Verify before approval
- Micron thickness test results (XRF or equivalent)
- Plating bath process sheet
- Confirmation of topcoat or e-coating (if used)
- Nickel-release compliance (REACH / Prop 65 where applicable)
Never assume
- “Our standard plating”
- “Same as last order”
- “This factory always does it this way”
2. Stone-Setting Stability Checks
If stones fall out, the problem is almost never the stone—it’s the setting method.
What to Inspect by Setting Type
Prong / Pave
- Even prong height and pressure
- No visible gaps under magnification
- No shared prongs cutting corners on labor
Bezel
- Continuous metal contact around the stone
- No thin or uneven bezel walls
Channel
- Stones sit flush with no rattling
- End caps reinforced, not glued
Glue-set (low-end only)
- Approved adhesive spec
- Cure time documented
- Pull-test results required
Verify before approval
- Random pull / shake tests
- Drop test (table height, multiple angles)
- Visual inspection under magnification
Red flag: Any mid- or high-end piece relying on glue where mechanical setting should exist.
3. Hardware Durability Tests (The Silent Failure Point)
Clasps, jump rings, and connectors fail quietly—but customers notice immediately.
Required Hardware Checks
- Jump rings: Must be soldered (not open-cut)
- Clasps: Minimum open/close cycle testing
- Chains: Link deformation test under tension
- Earrings: Post straightness + back retention
Verify before approval
- Pull test results (kg force documented)
- Cycle testing for clasps
- Solder joint inspection
- Material spec (brass vs steel vs silver)
Never assume
- “It’s a standard lobster clasp”
- “No one complains about these”
- “This is what everyone uses”
4. Finishing & Polish Standards
Inconsistent finishing creates perceived cheapness, even when materials are correct.
Finish Quality Checklist
- No sharp edges or burrs (skin & fabric safety)
- Consistent polish level across the entire piece
- No tool marks, burn lines, or swirl patterns
- Recessed areas finished—not skipped
Verify before approval
- Finish standard sample (golden sample)
- Visual QC checklist used by factory
- Confirmation of polishing method (tumble vs hand)
Red flag: Excessive hand-polishing to “fix” casting defects—it hides problems instead of solving them.
5. What Must Be Documented (Not Assumed)
If it’s not written down, it’s not real.
Must-Have Documentation Before Production
- Plating thickness targets + test results
- Material composition (base metal + coatings)
- Stone-setting method by SKU
- Hardware specs and test results
- Finish standard reference photos
- Compliance declarations (REACH, Prop 65, CPSIA if applicable)
What Founders Often (Incorrectly) Assume
- The factory will match the sample
- Quality equals last production run
- “Premium” means durable
- Problems will show up before shipping
They usually show up after your first return wave.
The Founder Reality Check
Most founders don’t fail because they picked a “bad” factory.
They fail because no one enforced the details that actually matter.
That’s where quality slips in:
- Microns shaved
- Steps skipped
- Assumptions made quietly
How Sourcify Helps
We run these checks so founders don’t have to learn them mid-return cycle.
We verify plating, stress-test hardware, pressure-test stone settings, and document everything before production begins—so quality issues are caught before they reach your customers.
If you’re approving production and wondering “Is this actually good enough?”—that’s exactly when to bring us in.
