Sourcing high-quality jewelry from India can be a rewarding endeavour, but it’s not without its challenges. By avoiding common sourcing mistakes, you can navigate the maze of responsible jewellery sourcing in India with confidence and finesse. So go forth, dear designers and brands, and dazzle the world with your exquisite products!
Over the past decade, we’ve seen more and more Western brands looking to India for affordable, quality craftsmanship. But entering a new market isn’t easy! Without local expertise, it’s easy to make costly blunders. Today we will talk about top 6 jewellery sourcing mistakes we see international brands make in India, and how we help our clients avoid them. Consider this your crash course on sourcing jewellery from India.
Mistake #1: Assuming All Indian Factories are the Same
It’s tempting to think you can just pick any factory in India and expect superb craftsmanship. But the truth is, there’s huge variation in quality. From tiny family owned karigars to large export houses, facilities range from state-of-the-art to downright dodgy.
Without vetting, you risk shoddy quality, mediocre designs, and poor sustainability footprint. That sometimes leads to expensive rework, rejects, and dissatisfied customers. Not exactly good for business!
The Fix: We thoroughly vet factories, inspecting facilities, tools, and samples. We only partner with Indian jewellery factories that meet rigorous quality standards and have a track record of delivering consistent, sustainable, and high-quality products. You get the perfect jewels that dazzle customers and reinforce your brand.
Mistake #2: Starting Without Understanding Indian Jewelry Craft
India has a 5000-year history of jewelry making, that is augmented by latest technology in CAD / CAM and even AI. But many international brands design collections without understanding the possibilities and limitations of Indian artisans. The result? Products that are extremely challenging to construct or they have functional limitations.
The Fix: We deliver collections that offers contemporary forms from Indian jewelry craft. With deep expertise in traditional methods and latest techniques, we ensure your visions translate seamlessly into consistent, ethical and high-quality jewelry. Our designers are familiar with latest trends and can translate your vision into exact piece of beauty that you imagined them to be.
Mistake #3: Rushing Production
Eager to get products to market, many brands pressure factories to complete orders unrealistically fast. But intricate techniques like gemstone setting, filigree, and enamel work cannot be rushed without sacrificing quality.
Pushing artisans too hard leads to flawed pieces requiring rework. It can also damage trust, as Indian jewellery manufacturers feel unable to meet impossible expectations and lose motivation.
The Fix: We work with you to develop realistic production timelines that account for the complexity of your designs. Our relationships with Indian jewellery factories mean they trust us not to overload them. You get jewelry done right, not just done fast.
Mistake #4: Skipping Quality Control Checks
This is a common sourcing mistake as once orders are placed, some brands leave quality control up to the factory and simply expect perfect products to arrive. But even ethical, responsible jewellery manufacturers can occasionally have issues like imperfect polish, loose stones, or design deviations.
Without multiple checks along the process, problems go unnoticed until final delivery, requiring expensive remakes. But regular inspections catch issues early when fixes are quicker and cheaper.
The Fix: We build QC checks into every stage, inspecting wax models, casts, stone setting, enamelling, finishing and more. We catch and correct any defects immediately, before they add up so that there are no production delays or rejections. You get assurance every piece manufactured meets your high standards.
Mistake #5: Mismanaging Shipping and Logistics
Navigating shipping, duties, and taxes between India and your home market is complex. There are reams of paperwork, regulations, and steep penalties for errors that frequently trap novices.
Sourcing mistakes like incorrect invoicing and duty charges can make costs balloon unexpectedly. Delays lead to frantic last-minute shipments to meet retail timelines. And without insurance, lost or damaged goods become an expensive headache.
The Fix: We’re experts at India-to-your-country logistics, with established systems for compliance, accurate paperwork, insurance, and competitive shipping rates. You avoid nasty surprises, keep costs predictable, and get deliveries on time, every time.
Mistake #6: Expecting Western Business Norms
India has different cultural norms and ways of doing business that can trip up foreign brands expecting Western business practices. Rigid contracts and penalties for delays won’t motivate factories like building personal relationships will. Many brands make sourcing mistakes by not factoring in Indian holidays in their production schedule or approach negotiations aggressively which could be seen by factories as an unreasonable demand.
The Fix: We bridge cultures, translating your needs into motivation for our artisans while helping you appreciate Indian perspectives. With trust and sensitivity on both sides, we’re able to collaborate seamlessly for great results.
In Conclusion, jewelry sourcing in India has so much potential but only if you respect traditions and work with experienced partners. The blunders above kill margins, damage quality, and hurt artisans.
But get it right, and you gain superb craftsmanship, unique designs, and happy customers. You just need the right partner to guide you. So if you’re looking to source in India, reach out! I’d love to advise you on the smart way forward.
About Artisanat Overseas:
We are a product sourcing agency committed to providing global brands and designers with ethically-sourced gemstones and jewelry from India. With a strong focus on responsible practices, we ensure transparency, fair trade, and environmental consciousness throughout the supply chain. Partner with us to discover exquisite, sustainable gems and jewelry that align with your values.