If you’re dreaming of starting your own jewellery brand, China is one of the most powerful and flexible places to build your supply chain. Whether you’re launching a fine jewellery line or affordable fashion accessories, finding the right factory is the most important step — and one that can define your success.
Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you find jewellery manufacturers in China with confidence.
Step 1: Know Your Product
Before diving into supplier searches, get clear on the type of jewellery you want to produce:
Fine Jewellery – solid gold, silver, diamonds, jade (requires precision, certification, and higher MOQ). Demi-Fine Jewellery – 925 silver or brass base with thick gold plating (vermeil). Fashion Jewellery – base metals, resins, acrylics, and imitation stones (low-cost, trend-driven).
Also decide:
Will you create original designs (OEM)? Modify existing ones (ODM)? Use ready-made products with your logo (white-label)?
Step 2: Where to Find Factories
Online Platforms
Alibaba is ideal for all categories and is built for global buyers. It offers search filters, reviews, and trade assurance, but many listings are actually trading companies, not true manufacturers.
1688 is designed for China’s domestic market. It’s great for fashion jewellery and has ultra-low MOQs with cheap pricing, but it’s only in Chinese and most suppliers aren’t equipped for export.
Globalsources is better for mid- to high-end factories. It’s more curated than Alibaba and has a stronger focus on export-ready manufacturers.
Made-in-China offers verified suppliers and some include factory audit documentation. It’s lesser known but useful if you’re willing to dig deeper.
Pro tip: Always verify suppliers via platforms like Tianyancha or Qichacha to confirm if they’re legitimate manufacturers.
Trade Shows
Trade shows allow you to meet suppliers in person, see product quality firsthand, and build trust. Some of the top jewellery-related events in China include:
Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair: Ideal for sourcing high-end manufacturers.
Shenzhen Jewellery Fair: Great for connecting with full-service jewellery makers.
Yiwu International Fair: A hotspot for low-cost fashion jewellery with low MOQs.
Canton Fair (Phase 2): Offers a wide mix of consumer goods, including some jewellery producers.
Sourcing Agents
If you don’t speak Chinese or want help navigating quality checks and negotiations, a sourcing agent can save time. They can:
Shortlist and verify factories Negotiate on your behalf Inspect product quality Consolidate multiple orders
Expect to pay either a flat fee or around 5–10% of the total order value.
Step 3: Vet the Factory
Not all factories are created equal. When you reach out, ask:
Are you a direct manufacturer or a trading company?
Can you share factory photos or videos?
What’s your typical MOQ per style?
Do you support fully custom designs (CAD files, sampling)?
What’s the plating thickness in microns?
Can you provide gemstone authenticity or metal testing certificates?
What’s your sampling and production timeline?
Have you worked with other international brands?
Do you hold an export license?
Be cautious if they avoid clear answers or give vague information.
Step 4: Choose the Right City
Different Chinese cities specialize in different types of jewellery manufacturing:
Panyu (Guangzhou) is known for mid to high-end jewellery, CAD design services, and full OEM capabilities.
Shenzhen is ideal for 925 silver, gold vermeil, and export-oriented production.
Yiwu focuses on low-cost fashion jewellery with low MOQs.
Wuzhou (Guangxi) is the capital of synthetic gemstones, especially cubic zirconia and lab-created sapphires.
Dongguan offers a wide range of alloy and enamel jewellery, with a balance of affordability and quality.
💬 Final Thoughts
Sourcing from China can be one of the best decisions for your jewellery business — but only if you approach it strategically. Choose suppliers who align with your quality expectations, are transparent in communication, and truly understand your brand’s vision.
If you need help writing a factory outreach email, negotiating plating specs, or structuring your first order — feel free to reach out.