Stainless steel jewelry manufacturing FAQ

No. Much of the ready-stock fashion jewelry supply in the market commonly uses 304 stainless steel because material and component availability is broader. 316/316L is a higher-spec option, but it often needs a higher MOQ.

Not automatically for every commercial program. 316-family steel offers higher resistance to chloride-related pitting, while 304 is often the more practical choice for ready stock, lower-volume testing and cost-sensitive collections.

Yes. Standard 304 stainless steel normally contains nickel as an alloying element. Total nickel content and nickel release from a finished article are different measurements.

No. 316-family stainless steel normally contains nickel and may contain more nominal nickel than 304. Compliance and skin-contact claims should be based on the finished product and applicable testing, not the grade name alone.

Style/component availability can be more limited than mainstream 304 ready-stock supply. Dedicated material purchasing, component production or tooling can therefore increase the economically realistic order quantity.

Yes. Our gold-tone products use a real 18K gold electroplated finish rather than only a generic “gold color” surface description.

Our typical 18K real gold PVD vacuum plating thickness is about 0.03–0.06 μm, depending on product geometry and production requirements. The agreed specification should be confirmed before sampling and bulk production.

No responsible supplier should promise a universal “never fades” result. Wear depends on friction, sweat, cosmetics, chemicals, skin chemistry, storage and care.

Not always. Deep recesses, narrow channels, mixed surfaces, joints and inaccessible areas can affect coverage and appearance. Geometry and surface preparation should be reviewed before the finish is approved.

A different specification must be reviewed project by project. It can affect process, cost, sampling and commercial quantity, so it should not be assumed before factory confirmation.

Often yes, but the image is a concept rather than a production drawing. We first review structure, scale, detail, stone setting, polishing access, assembly and the suitable process.

A line that looks like hair on screen may not have enough metal section to survive forming, polishing, handling and wear. It is often better translated into engraving, relief or a controlled texture.

Real parts need bridges, prongs, bezels, frames, hinges or joints. We can introduce hidden connections or layered construction while protecting the visual idea.

Not necessarily. Each stone needs a real seat, adequate spacing and enough surrounding metal for secure setting. Stone count, size or setting style may need adjustment.

It depends on geometry and quantity. Stamping suits repeat production; laser suits controlled 2D profiles and surface detail; CNC suits precision geometry; casting suits sculptural 3D forms; many products use a mixed process.

No. A useful tolerance depends on the process, feature position, material, finishing access, wear requirement and production volume. We confirm it after reviewing the actual design.

MOQ is project-dependent. Ready-stock 304 styles can be more flexible, while custom tools, dedicated components, 316/316L material, stone setting or complex assembly can require a higher quantity.

A universal number would be misleading. The economically realistic quantity depends on material availability, process, tooling, labor, finish, stones and the number of style/color variants.

Sampling is part of custom development. The sample plan, cost and timing are confirmed after we understand the design and specification.

It depends on whether the design needs CAD revision, tooling, casting, CNC, stone setting, PVD vacuum plating or multiple approval rounds. We provide the relevant timing after the process route is confirmed.

Tooling, material choice, long machining time, difficult polishing, dense stone setting, multi-part assembly, complex finishes, tighter matching and more intensive inspection can all increase cost.

Often yes when tooling, setup and purchasing costs can be spread across more pieces, but the actual effect depends on the selected process and specification.

No. Material documentation answers what alloy was used. Finished-product compliance may separately require nickel-release and restricted-substance testing according to the target market.

Nickel content measures nickel present in the alloy. Nickel release measures how much is released from the finished article under an applicable test method. Skin-contact rules focus on release.

Depending on the article and test scope, common REACH-related checks include nickel release, lead content and cadmium content. The correct scope should be confirmed for the product and destination market.

We do not keep a universal test report for every stock item. Testing is arranged per project when a customer requests it and approves the cost; reports must match the finished design, components, finish, production batch and destination market. Another customer’s report is confidential and cannot be shared. Small orders may make testing commercially impractical, but applicable compliance obligations still remain.

No. Chromium is an essential alloying element that gives stainless steel its corrosion resistance. A chromium-specific requirement should only be discussed according to the relevant regulation and test scope.

Send the design/reference, dimensions, estimated quantity, material preference, gold or silver finish, stone details, logo/packaging requirements and destination market.

Yes. We can identify which features can stay, which need engineering and which production route is commercially realistic. The objective is to preserve the design language, not simply reject the concept.

Repeat production should follow the approved sample and agreed specification, with checkpoints for material, dimensions, components, surface finish, assembly and appearance.

Email our business team at miabai@charmondjewelry.com or use the website contact form. Include your original design and estimated quantity whenever possible.