The most common quality problems in imitation jewellery are plating that fades or tarnishes too soon, stones that fall out, clasps and joints that break, and surface defects such as scratches, pits and uneven colour. Safety failures, such as too much nickel, lead or cadmium, are less visible but more serious for an importer.
Almost all of them can be prevented by a clear specification and a check before shipment.
Plating and colour
- Thin plating that wears through on edges and clasps within weeks of use.
- Tarnish or darkening because no anti-tarnish coating was applied, or because pieces were packed while damp.
- Colour that differs between lots, for example a yellower gold tone than the approved sample.
- Bubbles, peeling or patches where the base metal was not cleaned properly before plating.
Stones and settings
- Glued stones that come loose with heat or moisture.
- Prongs that are not closed fully, so stones fall out in transit.
- Cloudy or chipped stones, or stones of a lower grade than the sample.
- Stones that are not straight or evenly spaced.
Construction and finish
- Weak jump rings, clasps and hooks that open or snap.
- Sharp edges, burrs or rough solder marks that catch on skin or clothing.
- Necklace or bracelet lengths and bangle sizes that are outside tolerance.
- Pieces in a set that do not match each other in colour or finish.
Safety and packing
Nickel release, lead and cadmium are regulated in the EU, the UK and the US, and children's jewellery has stricter rules. A piece can look perfect and still fail a laboratory test, so testing should cover the base metal, the solder and the plating.
Poor packing causes its own problems: tangled chains, scratched surfaces and tarnish from moisture. Each piece should be packed separately, in a sealed bag with anti-tarnish material where needed.
What this means for a buyer
Write each of these points into your specification and check them before you pay the balance. Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing: we check plating, stones and finish against the approved sample, have pieces tested at NABL-accredited labs and supervise packing. Start with a free sourcing review.