Plan a seasonal collection by working backwards from the date it must be in your warehouse. Allow time for design, samples, approval, production, inspection and shipping, and add a margin for the Indian festival and wedding season, when Rajkot workshops are at their busiest and close for several days around Diwali.
A new collection usually needs to start four to six months before its launch date. Reorders of existing designs need much less.
A working timeline
- Design brief and mood board: two to four weeks.
- Sampling, including new masters or moulds: typically two to four weeks.
- Sample review, corrections and approval: one to three weeks, depending on rounds.
- Bulk production, plating and finishing: typically three to six weeks.
- Inspection and packing: about one week.
- Shipping: a few days by air or courier, several weeks by sea.
Know the Indian calendar
Rajkot workshops also serve the Indian market, which peaks before Diwali and during the wedding season, roughly from October to February. During those months capacity is tight and many workers take leave around Diwali itself. Book production early or schedule your run outside the peak.
If your own peak is Christmas, your goods often need to be made while Indian demand is also rising. That is the most common reason seasonal orders arrive late.
Use the seasons to your advantage
- Approve samples for your autumn and winter collection before the Indian festive rush begins.
- Place spring and summer orders in the quieter months after the wedding season.
- Agree production slots in writing, with ship dates per design.
- Order the long-lead pieces, such as new bridal sets, first.
Build a collection that can be reordered
A seasonal range sells best when the winners can be repeated quickly. Keep counter-samples, record plating and stone specifications, and confirm who owns the moulds for your designs so a reorder does not start from scratch. Our guide to jewellery production lead times covers each stage in more detail.
What this means for a buyer
Put a dated plan on paper, share it with each maker, and track it weekly. A collection that is a month late often misses its whole season.
Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing. We agree timelines with makers, follow production week by week, check finish and supervise packing. Start with a free sourcing review.