Frequently Asked Questions
Product Types
1. What style of products do you primarily specialize in?
Answer: Bold, statement-style Hip-Hop jewelry for both men and women. This includes necklaces, pendants, stud earrings, rings, bracelets, chokers, watches, and more. As a direct-source factory, we possess the capability to custom-produce all types of jewelry products.
2. Into which main categories are your products divided?
Answer: Cast products, stamped products, lathe-turned products, and cut products.
3. Which products are included in your cast category?
Answer: Necklaces, bracelets, bangles, pendants, rings, stud earrings, grillz (dental jewelry), and accessories.
4. Which products are included in your stamped category?
Answer: Pendants, stud earrings, and accessories.
5. Which products are primarily produced using your cutting process?
Answer: Pendants, accessories, and bangles.
6. Which products are included in your lathe-turned category?
Answer: Simple-style accessories and watches.
Product Materials
1. What are the primary materials used in our products? Are they eco-friendly?
Answer: Steel, copper, silver, 18K/14K gold, cubic zirconia, spinel, nano-gems, corundum, moissanite, diamonds, etc. All materials comply with EU RoHS standards and national standards, making them eco-friendly. Environmental responsibility is a consensus within the jewelry industry.
2. Do our steel materials contain nickel or lead?
Answer: They contain nickel, but no lead. By its very nature, steel contains nickel; 304-grade steel has a nickel content of 8%, while 316-grade steel contains 10%–12% nickel. Steel is classified as either high-quality or lower-quality; the distinction lies in whether its nickel release rate meets regulatory requirements.
3. Do our copper materials contain nickel?
Answer: We use eco-friendly copper. From a material properties standpoint, it contains trace amounts of nickel, but it fully complies with EU environmental standards.
4. What specific type of steel do we use?
Answer: Unless a client specifies otherwise, we use 304-grade steel; however, we can also produce items using 316-grade steel. These are typically paired with cubic zirconia.
5. Do our silver materials contain nickel or lead?
Answer: No, they do not.
6. Do our 18K/14K gold materials contain lead or nickel?
Answer: They contain nickel; this is an inherent characteristic determined by the processing properties of gold alloys.
7. What is the difference between 304-grade steel and 316-grade steel?
Answer: 316-grade steel offers superior resistance to acids and corrosion compared to 304-grade steel.
8. Why is 316-grade steel more corrosion-resistant than 304-grade steel?
Answer: This involves principles of materials science. 316-grade steel has a nickel content of 10%–12%, whereas 304-grade steel contains approximately 8%. Because of its higher nickel content, 316-grade steel demonstrates greater resistance to acids and corrosion than 304-grade steel.
9. What specific type of copper do we use?
Answer: C3601 eco-friendly copper (brass). This is typically paired with cubic zirconia, spinel, nano-gems, or corundum.
10. What specific type of silver do we use?
Answer: We use a blend of silver and copper, formulated to meet the international standard for 925 sterling silver. In actual production practice, the silver purity typically falls around 930.
11. What is the silver content of our 925 silver?
Answer: 92.5%; the remaining 7.5% consists of copper. It is typically paired with diamonds, cubic zirconia, or moissanite.
12. Why is it necessary to add copper and other elements to 925 silver?
Answer: Pure silver is extremely soft; copper must be added to increase its hardness, thereby preventing deformation and ensuring the feasibility of the manufacturing process.
13. What is the gold content of our gold materials?
Answer: Our gold materials are categorized into 24K, 18K, 14K, and 10K. 24K gold has a purity of 99.99%, while 1K represents 4.167% gold content, and so on. It is typically paired with diamonds.
14. What grade are our cubic zirconia stones?
Answer: We generally use AAA-grade cubic zirconia.
15. What is the material composition of our cubic zirconia?
Answer: Also known as "cubic zirconia," it is a synthetic gemstone. Advantages: It comes in a wide variety of colors, possesses a flawless appearance, and offers excellent value for money. Disadvantages: Certain colors of cubic zirconia—such as yellow or apple-green—may fade or turn completely white when exposed to the high temperatures involved in the casting process. It is typically used in copper and silver jewelry products.
16. What is spinel?
Answer: Spinel is a mineral composed of magnesium aluminum oxide; it exists in both natural and synthetic forms. Advantages: It is highly heat-resistant and does not change color under high temperatures. We typically use synthetic varieties, such as green spinel and blue spinel.
17. What is "Nano Stone"?
Answer: Nano Stone is a synthetic gemstone designed to serve as a substitute for natural gems and is specifically engineered to be compatible with the wax-casting process. Advantages: It is highly heat-resistant and does not change color. Disadvantages: Due to the presence of conductive elements within the stone, the plating material may sometimes adhere to the surface of the stone during the plating process. It is commonly used in black and green varieties.
18. What is corundum?
Answer: Corundum is a gemstone formed from crystallized aluminum oxide. It typically appears red and is highly heat-resistant, retaining its color even under high temperatures. Its price is relatively higher than that of cubic zirconia; red corundum is the variety most commonly used.
19. What is moissanite?
Answer: Moissanite is a synthetic gemstone composed of silicon carbide. While its outward appearance is indistinguishable from that of cubic zirconia, its reflectivity, refractive index, and hardness are all superior to those of cubic zirconia. Its price is significantly higher than that of cubic zirconia, spinel, or Nano Stone; it is most commonly used in its colorless (white) form.
20. What is a diamond?
Answer: Commonly known as "diamond," it is a natural stone composed of carbon. It is expensive, and even artificial, lab-grown diamonds command a high price. The white variety is the most commonly used.
Regarding Product Manufacturing Processes
(I) Product Forming Processes
1. What manufacturing processes are used to produce our physical products?
Answer: Cutting, Lathe Machining, Casting, and Stamping.
2. Which products are produced using the Cutting process?
Answer: 1. Items without cubic zirconia (CZ) stones; 2. Flat surfaces without intricate patterns; 3. Items with a thickness of 3mm or less. Generally, this process is used to create English letters and various irregularly shaped components or pendants.
3. Which products are produced using the Lathe Machining process?
Answer:
- High-volume orders;
- Items with intricate details;
- Items requiring a high degree of dimensional precision.
Generally, this process is used to manufacture large batches of standardized components and watch parts.
4. Which products are produced using the Stamping process?
Answer:
- Regular shapes without chamfered edges;
- Items without CZ stones;
- Flat surfaces or items featuring relief/embossed designs;
- Items requiring a high level of detail. Generally, this process is used to create circular pendants, flat relief pendants, and various components.
5. Is it possible to use the Lathe Machining process to produce products that are typically made using casting, stamping, or cutting?
Answer: It is technically possible to produce the physical items. However, the production costs would increase tenfold—or even a hundredfold. Unless the order quantity exceeds 10,000 units, this approach is not economically feasible.
6. Which products are produced using the Casting process?
Answer:
- Items with or without CZ stones;
- Items with irregular or regular shapes;
- Items featuring flat surfaces, relief designs, semi-3D designs, or fully 3D designs.
Note: The casting process utilizes the traditional "lost-wax" method and can technically be used to produce almost any type of jewelry. However, for items requiring exceptionally high levels of intricate detail or strict dimensional precision (standardized parts), casting may not be able to meet the specific requirements achievable by other specialized processes.
7. Is it possible to use the Casting process to produce products that are typically made using other specific processes (e.g., cutting or stamping)?
Answer: No, this is not a viable production method. While it might be technically possible to attempt production, the post-casting finishing stages—which rely heavily on manual processing, trimming, and adjustment—mean that the resulting shape, details, and overall quality will inevitably fail to meet the required standards.
(II) Product Surface Finishing Processes
1. What surface finishing processes are available for our products?
Answer: Blackening (Antiquing), Resin Coating (Epoxy/Enamel), Electroplating, and Laser Engraving.
2. What is Blackening (Antiquing)?
Answer: Blackening is typically applied to silver products. It is a surface treatment process in which a polished product is immersed in a vessel containing sulfur compounds.
3. What is Electroplating?
Answer: Electroplating is categorized into three main types: Vacuum Plating, Furnace Plating, and Wet Plating (Aqueous Plating).
4. What is Vacuum Plating?
Answer:Vacuum plating is generally applied to products that do not contain cubic zirconia (CZ) stones; it is commonly used for jewelry made of copper or steel.
5. How is copper vacuum plated?
A: Copper is generally not ideal for direct vacuum plating due to its poor stability. Therefore, it requires an underlayer of chromium or nickel before the gold plating can be applied. Available finishes include 18K gold, 14K gold, rose gold, and gunmetal black.
6. How is steel vacuum plated?
It is plated with titanium and nickel, followed by the gold plating. Available finishes include 18K gold, 14K gold, rose gold, and gunmetal black.
7. What is "out-of-furnace" plating?
This process involves applying the base layer via vacuum plating inside a furnace, followed by the gold plating outside the furnace. It is typically used for steel products. Available finishes include 18K gold, 14K gold, rose gold, and gunmetal black.
8. What is "water plating" (electroplating)?
This method is generally used for products containing multiple cubic zirconia (CZ) stones or those with intricate angles and recesses. Once the gold plating is complete, a protective layer of transparent electrophoretic lacquer is applied to the surface to enhance color retention. Copper, silver, and steel can all be water plated. Available finishes include 18K gold, 14K gold, rose gold, gunmetal black, and platinum white.
9. In terms of quality, how do vacuum plating, out-of-furnace plating, and water plating compare?
Vacuum plating > Water plating > Out-of-furnace plating.
10. What is the typical thickness of vacuum plating?
The thickness of the vacuum-plated layer can be customized according to client requirements. The standard thickness typically ranges from 0.03 to 0.05 microns, which is sufficient to meet requirements for wear resistance and color retention. If clients have specific requirements, these can also be accommodated.
11. What is the typical thickness of water plating?
The thickness of the water-plated gold layer can be customized according to client requirements. The standard thickness typically ranges from 0.03 to 0.05 microns, which is sufficient to meet the basic requirements for jewelry.
12. What is the thickness of the gold layer in out-of-furnace plating?
Approximately 0.03 to 0.05 microns.
13. What are the advantages and disadvantages of vacuum plating?
Advantages: Long-lasting color retention and high wear resistance. Disadvantages: Higher cost and a longer processing cycle.
14. What are the advantages and disadvantages of water plating?
Answer: Advantages: Short processing cycle; compatible with almost all products (including copper, silver, gold, and items both with and without cubic zirconia stones). Disadvantages: Its corrosion resistance and wear resistance are inferior to those of vacuum plating, though it still meets the basic requirements for jewelry.
15. What are the advantages and disadvantages of "furnace-free" gold plating?
Answer: Advantages: Low cost and short production cycle. Disadvantages: Poor color retention and susceptibility to discoloration.
16. What is resin dripping?
Answer: Resin dripping is a specific finishing process. It involves applying a colored, gel-like liquid into pre-reserved recessed areas on a plated product, in accordance with the client's color specifications. Once air-dried, this liquid solidifies and adheres firmly to the designated areas. Black is the most commonly used color.
17. What is laser engraving?
Answer: Commonly referred to as "laser marking." It involves using a laser machine to etch a client's desired logo or symbol onto the surface of a product. Typically, depending on the client's requirements, this process is performed either after polishing (prior to plating) or after the product has already been plated.
Other Questions Regarding Products and Production
1. What exactly constitutes an "uncontrollable factor" in production? Is the likelihood of such factors arising high?
Answer: There are numerous uncontrollable factors in production. These include changes in government policies, market fluctuations, seasonal variations (peak vs. off-peak periods), shifts in demand, production conditions, product functionality, quality inspection standards, and so forth.
2. Are we permitted to offer suggestions to the Production Assurance Department or the factory?
Answer: Yes, you are.
3. Is the factory owned by us? Do you confirm that it possesses in-house design capabilities?
Answer: Yes, it is. And yes, we confirm that it does.
4. What should I do if I wish to visit the factory?
Answer: You are welcome to inspect the facility. You may do so via video inspection, through a third-party audit, or by visiting the factory in person.