Jewellery sourcing from China carries a regulatory burden out of proportion to the size of the product. Nickel release, lead and cadmium limits are strictly enforced in the EU, UK and United States, and jewellery is one of the most commonly seized categories at customs. We source fashion jewellery, fine jewellery and accessories from audited factories, verify chemical compliance for your destination market, and inspect production before it ships.
What We Source
Fashion and Costume Jewellery
Earrings, necklaces, bracelets, rings and sets in alloy, brass and stainless steel with plated or coated finishes. High volume, fast-moving and heavily dependent on plating quality for perceived value and return rates.
Stainless Steel and Titanium Jewellery
Hypoallergenic ranges suited to buyers who want to avoid nickel compliance risk entirely, including PVD-coated finishes with far better wear resistance than standard electroplating.
Sterling Silver and Fine Jewellery
925 silver, gold-plated silver, cubic zirconia and semi-precious stone settings, with metal purity verified by assay rather than accepted on a supplier’s word.
Bags and Leather Goods
Handbags, backpacks, wallets, purses and travel bags in genuine leather, PU and fabric, with hardware quality and stitching specified alongside the material.
Belts, Scarves and Soft Accessories
Belts, scarves, hats, gloves and hair accessories, frequently sourced alongside apparel ranges to build a coordinated collection.
Watches and Eyewear
Fashion watches and sunglasses, including branded packaging and gift presentation. Sunglasses require UV protection testing and CE or UKCA conformity in European markets.
Chemical Compliance: The Part That Stops Shipments
Jewellery sits directly against skin for long periods, which is why regulators treat it more strictly than most consumer goods. Testing must match the exact material and plating, and it is not transferable between finishes of the same design.
- REACH Annex XVII restricting nickel, lead and cadmium in items intended for direct and prolonged skin contact
- EN 1811 nickel release testing, the specific test method European buyers and customs will ask for
- CPSIA lead limits for children’s jewellery in the United States, which are considerably tighter than adult limits
- California Proposition 65 warning requirements for goods sold into California
- Cadmium testing, frequently overlooked and a common cause of failed batches in low-cost alloy jewellery
- Precious metal assay confirming silver or gold content matches the stamp
Children’s jewellery deserves particular caution. Limits are far stricter, enforcement is more active, and the reputational cost of a failure is disproportionate. If you are sourcing for children, see our kids clothing page for the wider safety framework that applies.
Where Jewellery and Accessories Are Made in China
| Region | Specialisation |
|---|---|
| Yiwu, Zhejiang | Fashion jewellery, accessories, low MOQ, huge variety |
| Panyu, Guangzhou | Fine jewellery, silver, gemstone setting |
| Shuibei, Shenzhen | Gold, silver and precious stone jewellery |
| Qingdao, Shandong | Jewellery manufacturing and export |
| Dongguan, Guangdong | Bags, leather goods, hardware accessories |
| Baigou, Hebei | Bags and luggage |
Plating Quality and Why It Matters
The single biggest driver of returns in fashion jewellery is tarnishing. Two identical-looking pieces can differ enormously in plating thickness, measured in microns, and thickness is invisible until the product fails in a customer’s hands weeks later. We specify plating thickness and finish type contractually, and verify it during inspection rather than assuming the quoted figure was delivered.
Inspection and Testing
- Plating thickness measurement and finish consistency across the batch
- Salt spray and sweat resistance testing on plated items
- Clasp, hinge and fastening function testing
- Stone setting security and gemstone consistency
- Metal composition verification and precious metal assay where applicable
- Weight, dimension and colour matching against the approved sample
- Gift packaging, pouches, boxes and barcode accuracy
Suppliers are audited through our factory visit and QA process, with photo and video inspection reports issued before dispatch.
Private Label and Custom Design
Jewellery is well suited to own-brand development because presentation carries much of the perceived value. We manage custom design and casting, logo engraving, branded pouches and boxes, and coordinated collection development through our custom production service. Accessories are often sourced alongside garments, so see our apparel sourcing page if you are building a full range.
Shipping
Jewellery is light, high in value per cubic metre and often air freighted economically. Higher-value shipments need appropriate insurance and secure handling, which we arrange through our cargo and shipping service, with consolidation available via our China warehouse. Incoterms are covered in our guide to trading and shipping terms.
Frequently Asked Questions
What minimum order quantities apply to jewellery?
Fashion jewellery from stock designs can start very low, often fifty to one hundred pieces per design. Custom moulds, casting or bespoke stone setting require higher volumes to cover tooling.
How do I avoid nickel compliance problems?
Either specify nickel-free materials such as stainless steel or surgical steel, or require EN 1811 test reports for the exact material and plating being supplied. We verify the report matches your actual product rather than a similar one.
Why does plated jewellery tarnish so quickly?
Almost always insufficient plating thickness or a missing barrier layer. Specifying microns and verifying at inspection costs a little more per unit and removes the most common source of customer complaints.
Can you verify silver and gold content?
Yes, through independent assay testing. For precious metals we recommend it as standard rather than as an optional extra.
Do you source children’s jewellery?
Only from suppliers who can evidence compliance with children’s lead and cadmium limits through valid current testing. The regulatory limits are much stricter and we will not source it on assurances alone.
Start Your Jewellery Sourcing Project
Send your designs or reference products, target quantities and destination market, and we will return a supplier shortlist, indicative costs and the compliance testing your range will need. Contact our sourcing team to begin.