A wellness-brand founder in Vancouver wanted to sell silver necklaces under her own name. Her first supplier sent her generic stock, slapped her logo sticker on a polybag, and called it private label (FTC jewelry industry guides). Three months later customers complained the chain turned skin green. Real private label jewelry is a program, not a sticker. This is what a properly run private label launch looks like, and how long each step actually takes.
What private label really means
Private label (also called white label in some markets) means the factory produces goods to your brand specification — metal, stones, finish, packaging, hangtags — under your name. It is not you picking off-the-shelf SKUs. The distinction matters because the margin, the customer perception and the defect risk are completely different.
| Element | Sticker-on-stock (fake PL) | Real private label program |
|---|---|---|
| Metal | Unknown alloy | 925 silver or 10k/14k, XRF-tested |
| Finish | "Silver coloured" | 0.5 µm rhodium, measured |
| Packaging | Polybag | Custom box, card, logo foil-stamp |
| Certification | None | GRA for moissanite, alloy assay card |
| Defect warranty | "Contact us" | 30-day RMA, re-make or credit |
The 60-day launch roadmap
Days 1–10 — range planning
Pick 6–12 opening SKUs. Resist the urge to start with 30. A focused opening range sells through faster and gives you real reorder data. Decide alloy (925 silver for price, 10k/14k for tier), plating, and stone mix. Moissanite opens at a much lower cost point than mined diamond while reading as white-stone in-store.
Days 11–20 — samples and approvals
We produce physical samples of each SKU in your metal and finish. You approve in hand. This is also when you lock packaging: box colour, card stock, foil-stamp logo, tissue and pouch. Custom tooling for boxes typically takes 10–14 days, so start it in parallel.
Days 21–40 — bulk production
Casting, setting, polishing and plating on your approved parameters. You receive WIP photos at setting and plating gates. Every lot gets an XRF strip; moissanite pieces ship with GRA certificates.
Days 41–55 — final QC and packing
100% inspection, individual bagging, then packing into your branded boxes. Hangtags, warranty cards and care instructions are inserted per your artwork. This is the step buyers forget to price — branded inserts are cheap individually but add a day of labour.
Days 56–60 — shipping
DDP to your door or FOB to your freight forwarder. Export cartons are labelled with your brand and SKU split. We ship with HS code 7113.11 (silver jewelry) and provide the full commercial invoice, packing list and certificate of origin.
MOQ tiers and what they mean
Most private label buyers start at 30–50 pieces per SKU. At that tier we absorb the CAD engineering and logo tooling. Below 20 pieces per SKU, the per-piece cost climbs because the packaging and labelling labour cannot be amortised. Plan your opening order around 6 SKUs × 40 pcs = 240 pcs; this is the sweet spot for a first brand launch.
Which program fits your stage
First-time founders: start with 6 SKUs in 925 silver with rhodium plating and moissanite or CZ stones. Lower entry cost, faster sample, easier customer returns. Avoid 14k gold for launch; it locks cash per piece.
Estimated boutiques adding a private line: mix sterling silver everyday pieces with two or three 10k gold hero SKUs. This lets you charge premium on heroes while keeping traffic drivers accessible.
DTC brands scaling: negotiate a 12-month locked unit price and a 10% reorder capacity slot. Private label at scale is won on reorder reliability, not on the first order.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the minimum order for private label jewelry?
We start private label programs at 20–30 pieces per SKU, with a typical opening order of 6 SKUs. Below that, custom packaging and labelling labour makes per-piece cost uneconomical.
Can I use my own logo and packaging design?
Yes. We accept your dieline and logo artwork in AI or PDF. Foil-stamp and deboss tools are one-time setups, usually USD 60–120 per colour.
Do you provide certification for private label pieces?
Yes. Moissanite pieces ship with GRA certificates, silver pieces with an assay alloy card. We do not fake GIA; for diamond we handle loose stones on consignment from IGI-graded suppliers.
How long does a private label launch take?
From approved sample to delivered parcel, 45–60 days including packaging tooling. Reorders on approved SKUs ship in 12–18 days.
Who owns the designs I launch under my brand?
You do. We will not reproduce your SKUs for other buyers, and we return or delete your CAD and packaging artwork on request.
Key takeaways
- Real private label covers metal, finish, packaging and certs — not a sticker on stock.
- Open with 6 SKUs at ~40 pcs each; resist the urge to launch 30 styles.
- Start in 925 silver and rhodium; move to gold only after reorder data exists.
- Lock a reorder capacity slot once you pass 500 pieces per quarter.
Next step: request our private label starter pack (sample box + packaging options + pricing tier sheet). First program includes waived CAD fees at 240 pcs.
Read more: OEM manufacturing, 925 silver, moissanite rings, and all buying guides.
For HS classification of jewellery in customs and export documentation, the WCO Harmonized System nomenclature is the authoritative nomenclature.
