The styles most likely to arrive damaged are those with glued or lac-set stones, enamel, glass, strung beads or thin frames. Kundan and polki-look sets, meenakari pieces, pearl strands, long jhumkas and resin items need more care than simple cast or stamped metal pieces.
Most damage is not a manufacturing fault on its own. It is a weak point in the piece meeting heat, pressure or movement in a carton.
The most fragile styles
- Kundan and polki-look sets: stones held with lac or adhesive can loosen with heat, and foil backing can lift if pressed.
- Meenakari and enamel: the enamel can chip if pieces knock together.
- Glass and acrylic stones: glued stones can fall out, and glass can crack under pressure.
- Pearl and bead strands: threads stretch or snap, and knots slip.
- Long jhumkas and chain drops: dangling chains tangle and links pull open.
- Chokers and stiff collars: rigid frames bend if a box is crushed.
- Resin and terracotta: brittle materials that crack on impact.
How to pack them
- Pack each piece or set separately in a polybag or pouch, with earrings fixed to a card.
- Use a rigid box with a foam or card insert for sets, so stones do not press against each other.
- Lay necklaces flat or fix them to a board to stop tangling.
- Add anti-tarnish bags or silica gel to control moisture, which also protects glue and lac.
- Fill empty space in master cartons so inner boxes cannot shift, and mark cartons as fragile.
- Avoid long periods in hot containers or warehouses for glue-set styles where you can.
Check the piece, not only the packing
A firm tug test on stones, a check that jump rings are fully closed and a look at glue lines during inspection catch the pieces that would fail in transit. See common quality problems in imitation jewellery for a fuller list.
What this means for a buyer
Write packing requirements into your purchase order for each fragile style, and check them before the cartons are closed. Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing, and supervises packing at the workshop so that fragile sets leave Rajkot properly protected. Ask for a free sourcing review.