Jewelry Sourcing Guide

Use supplier and product references from Yiwu to plan your sourcing discussions. Confirm the business identity, intended production location and project scope before approving an order.

• **Supplier Identity**: Confirm the business name, address and responsible contact

• **Product Direction**: Prepare reference photographs, drawings and requested changes

• **Project Scope**: Record materials, finishing, packaging and sample requirements

• **Visit Planning**: Confirm the meeting location and documents to review

• **Delivery Proposal**: Review the quoted packing, shipping route and delivery terms

Record the requested material specification for each component. A photograph can help describe the appearance; composition and performance require separate confirmation.

Base Materials

• Confirm the metal or alloy composition of the body, chain, clasp and findings

• Identify surfaces intended to contact the wearer

• Record any project-specific material or product-use requirements

Finish & Coating

• Agree the color and finish against a reference or approved sample

• Confirm coating type and any requested thickness with the proposed measurement method

• Review how finish requirements affect the sample and quotation

Stones & Decorative Parts

• Confirm the requested stone or decorative material, size, color and setting

• Identify adhesives, dyes or other components relevant to the buyer's review

• Keep unverified material details pending until supported by the project records

Compare quotations against the same written brief. Confirm which items are included, optional or quoted separately.

Product Inputs

• Construction, material specification and finish

• Stone or decorative-part selection and setting

• Requested quantity, selling unit and packaging

Development & Review

• Sample preparation and revision scope

• Any proposed mold or tooling charges

• Agreed inspection, document review and testing scope

Quotation Record

• Currency, unit basis and validity period

• Packing, delivery terms and separately quoted charges

• Written confirmation of changes before comparing the final proposals

Turn quality expectations into a written specification and an approved sample. Agree what any requested quality description means for this project.

Appearance

• Record the approved color, stone appearance and visible finish

• Agree how the buyer will review surfaces, settings and decorative details

Construction & Fit

• Confirm dimensions, fastening and intended use against the sample

• Record any buyer-requested checks and the method for evaluating them

Approval Record

• Identify the sample or reference being approved and its revision

• Record acceptance points, unresolved details and requested changes

• Confirm the production specification before order approval

Start with the buyer's intended market, product use and written requirements. Confirm the applicable document and testing scope with the buyer's responsible reviewer before making a commitment.

Intended Market & Use

• Identify the destination country or region and sales channel

• Confirm whether the intended use is for adults or children

• Record component materials and expected contact with the wearer

• List the buyer's project requirements, requested checks and document versions

Document Review

• Request available records and confirm their holder and covered facility or product

• Check the report or document number, date, version and stated scope

• Match the covered materials, sample identifiers and specifications to the requested project

• Record exclusions, unresolved questions and any additional review needed

Testing & Sample Acceptance

• Agree the proposed sample, test scope, method and version with the buyer's reviewer

• Confirm the selected provider, availability, costs and responsibilities before booking any work

• Review the returned records and sample against the agreed acceptance points

• Keep unconfirmed documents or results pending until they have been reviewed for this project

Build successful long-term relationships with these proven strategies:

Communication

• Be clear and specific with requirements

• Use visual references when possible

• Confirm details in writing

• Respond promptly to queries

Starting the Relationship

• Order samples before bulk orders

• Start with smaller orders to test quality

• Pay on time to build trust

• Provide constructive feedback

Building Long-term Partnership

• Share your sales data and forecasts

• Give advance notice of large orders

• Be loyal - don't constantly switch for small savings

• Visit the factory when possible

Red Flags to Watch

• Prices too good to be true

• Reluctance to provide samples

• No physical address or factory

• Pressure to wire money without verification