A jewellery sourcing agent in India, and a Rajkot sourcing agent in particular, is most useful when it controls sampling and inspection, because imitation jewellery fails on small details: plating wear, loose stones, sharp edges and colour differences. This article follows a first order step by step.
Creston's focus within jewellery is imitation jewellery, not precious metal. If you are buying gold or silver pieces, ask any agent about hallmarking and assay rules, which are a different matter. For the general role, see jewellery sourcing agent in India: what they do.
What Rajkot is known for, and what to check there
Rajkot is widely known for imitation jewellery and for its many small workshops. Many workshops specialise in one stage, such as casting, stone setting or plating, so a finished piece may pass through several units. That is normal. It also means the person you talk to may not control every step.
We work across India, so we arrange audits and inspections where the supplier is. Our guide to auditing an imitation jewellery workshop in Rajkot shows what a visit should cover.
How a first order runs
- You supply reference pieces, photos or a design sheet, with materials, plating, stone type, sizes and your target market.
- The agent finds workshops that make that style and checks that they are makers, not resellers; see how to verify a jewellery supplier.
- A sample is made and compared with your reference. Ask for a production-line sample, not a hand-finished one.
- Safety and material requirements are fixed in writing for your market, such as nickel release or heavy metal limits where they apply. Confirm the exact rules with your regulator or broker.
- The bulk run is inspected against an agreed acceptable quality level; see which AQL to use.
- The balance is paid after the inspection report; see deposit and balance after inspection.
Questions to ask the agent
- Which parts of the process do your suppliers do in-house, and which do they subcontract?
- How do you test plating thickness and colourfastness, or do you rely on appearance?
- Who handles inspection: you, or an outside firm? See third party inspection or your agent.
- How are samples kept so bulk can be compared with them later?
- Do you take any payment from workshops? Ask for the answer in writing.
Red flags
- A very large catalogue shown as made in one workshop.
- Samples that are noticeably better than the photos of bulk output.
- Requests for full prepayment on a first order.
- An agent who says inspection is unnecessary because "the workshop is trusted".
- Warning signs listed in fake jewellery suppliers and wholesale scams.
Mistakes buyers make with a first jewellery order
The most common mistake is approving a sample that was made by hand with extra care. The bulk run is made quickly in batches, and finish, plating and stone setting often drop. Ask for a sample from the production line and keep it sealed as the reference.
The second is leaving materials vague. Base metal, plating, stone type and finish should be named in the order. For some markets there are limits on certain metals and chemicals in jewellery, and the rules differ by country, so confirm them with your regulator or broker before you place the order.
The third is forgetting packing. Pieces scratch and tangle in transit, and plating can tarnish in humid conditions. Individual bags, anti-tarnish measures and inner cartons should be agreed and checked at loading.
The fourth is paying the full amount before inspection. Linking the balance to an inspection report puts the leverage with you and gives the workshop a reason to fix defects. A good agent will propose this without being asked.
How we work
Imitation jewellery is one of Creston's six industries; see what we source. We find and audit manufacturers, check samples and documents, have lots tested, and supervise production and loading. You pay the workshop directly and we take nothing from factories. The fee is one written amount agreed in advance. To plan your first order, book a free sourcing review.