The most expensive quality failure is not a broken ring — it is a ring that arrives at the buyer's customer with a loose stone, a missing fineness mark, or a rhodium layer thin enough to show the alloy underneath. Those failures are caught at the bench, not at the customer. This is the checklist our QC bench runs on every wholesale order before it packs. It is long on purpose: skipping any single line item is where warranty claims come from, and almost every claim we have seen in ten years maps back to a step that was rushed on a Friday afternoon.
Hallmark and fineness mark check
Under the 16 CFR Part 23 marking rule, any piece sold in the US must carry a truthful fineness mark and a trademark of the manufacturer. We verify the mark is legible, correctly placed (inside the shank or on the clasp), and matches the alloy on the invoice. A 925 mark on a piece that tested at 890 is a recall event, not a defect. We spot-check alloy with XRF on the first and last piece of every run, and 100% on bridal and platinum orders. We also check that the mark is not partially polished away — a common side effect of aggressive mass finishing.
Stone security
Every set stone gets a prong wiggle test with a fine prong-driver and a 10x loupe. Prong tips must be rounded over the stone, not flat-cut. Pavé stones get a bead-tightness check under magnification — a bead that spins on its post will drop the stone in weeks. Center stones are matched against the supplied stone cert dimensions: a 6.50 mm diamond in a 6.30 mm seat is a reject. For moissanite and other high-hardness stones, we also check girdle clearance per moissanite setting tolerance. We do a final ultrasonic clean after this step, because any loose stone that survived the wiggle test usually drops out in the bath — better here than at the customer.
Geometry and symmetry
Ring shanks are measured for roundness on a mandrel. Prong alignment is checked from the top view — a tilted center stone is the most common bridal complaint. Bracelets are flex-tested 20 times at the clasp. Earrings get a post and butterfly fit test. Bangles are checked for gap symmetry. Casting defects from silver porosity are caught at this stage too: any visible pinhole on a wear surface means re-cast. We also check ring size on a mandrel against the ordered size within a half-size tolerance; a 7 that measures 6.5 goes back for sizing.
Finish and plating
We inspect polish under a 45° angled light — swirl marks and incomplete buffing show up best that way. Rhodium-plated pieces get an XRF thickness reading on a sample, target 0.5–1.0 µm as described in rhodium plating. Engraved pieces are checked for edge sharpness; if mass finishing has rounded a corner, it goes back for hand touch-up. Weld zones are inspected for pitting and discoloration. We also run a tarnish test on a sample silver piece — a sealed piece left in a humidity chamber for 24 hours should not show spotting.
Weight and packaging
Each piece is weighed and compared to the BOM target within a 5% tolerance — a ring that comes in 15% light is either a casting error or a sign of thinning. Pieces are ultrasonic-cleaned, anti-tarnish-tumbled, then sealed in individual poly bags with a silica packet. Bulk cartons are packed by size and SKU, with a packing list that matches the invoice 1:1. We do not ship loose stones in the same bag as the mounted setting — they scratch it. Final check: cartons are weighed on the shipping scale, and the total is reconciled against the packing list. We also record the carton dimensions and actual weight on the shipping label so the buyer's freight forwarder can quote accurately without re-measuring.
How many pieces do you inspect?
100% of pieces get the visual and stone-security check. XRF and weight checks are sampled first/last piece per run, and 100% on bridal orders. We keep the inspection sheet with the carton for buyer audit.
Do you provide QC photos?
Yes, on request — 3-photo set (top, side, hallmark) for every piece on orders above 50 pieces, and a sample set for smaller runs. We also share video of the wiggle test on center stones.
What is your reject rate on the floor?
Typically 2–4% on 925 silver runs, under 1% on gold. Rejects are re-cast or re-set, not shipped, and the buyer is notified if a re-cast pushes the delivery date.
Want QC you can audit? HOLYCOME documents every stage — casting, setting, plating, and final inspection — and shares reports on request. Ask about our OEM small-batch program and see the QC process on your first run.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I verify a factory before placing a bulk order?
Request a production video, business license, export records and a paid sample run. A factory that accepts a 50-piece test order is usually a real manufacturer.
What payment terms do you offer?
30% T/T deposit with the balance against the bill of lading. This protects both sides on first orders and can move to net terms after a track record.
What is your normal reject rate?
3–5% under 10x loupe inspection for cast and set pieces. Defective units are replaced free in the next shipment.
Where is the factory located?
Wuzhou, Guangxi, China—the core lab-grown and moissanite manufacturing cluster. Shipments go via Guangzhou or Shenzhen ports.
