In our years of experience manufacturing fine jewelry and collaborating with name-brand jewelry designers, we’d say its ALL about the details. Commercial versus Fine? Details. High Street vs. Luxury? Details. Buyers calling you and not the other way around? Details.
Details? What details?
Today we’re talking details as they apply to design and manufacturing. With as much jewelry as we’ve seen and QC’d the big difference is in the small stuff. Often microscopically small. When you compare a 10K commercial piece solitaire diamond pendant with a branded 18K diamond pendant, you’ll see what we mean. Its not just gold karatage. The following are just some of the ways that a high end brand will differ on the same piece.
- Diamond Quality – I1 Black crystals in the table or VS or above and hard to find inclusions even with a loupe?
- Chain Quality – Barely linked or catching the light with design features such as diamond cut links?
- Clasps – cheap & flimsy or substantial & solid?
- Porosity – Eye visible holes or an unbroken clean surface?
- Polishing – Wobbly & wavy or even & smooth?
- Finishes – Quickly tumbled or finished by hand with contrasting textures?
- Designer Tag or Logo – No clue who made it or a proprietary tag with a laser engraved logo?
How your manufacturer SHOULD help
A good manufacturing partner will be all over the above & more. If the designer or brand hasn’t thought about these things, a quality manufacturer who cares about your long-term success will. As a debut brand, perhaps you haven’t considered these things. However, the store buyers will notice. They love a reason to say no or negotiate down your price or terms. Your manufacturer should have your back here. This is where open lines of communication matter. Suggestions, collaborations, experimentation with finishes etc. These things underscore that your factory is on your side and is trying to help you.
Give us an example…..
Here’s a quick example for you. Below are a pair of (rather cool) matched His and Hers wedding bands. Bridal is often the bread and butter department for a brand. People keep getting married….or remarried. Great service on an engagement ring should hopefully mean the couple comes back to you a year later for the rings. Here’s a design we’ve been working on. First up – the CAD.
Now here are two photos of how they look with two different finishes. It result in two very different looks for the same rings.
See what we mean? In this case we worked closely and suggested various finishes and experimented with them before presenting them to the designer as options. We’d love to show you how we can elevate your brand. Contact us today at info@spokesjewelry.com and we’ll get the conversation started……
