American diamond jewellery in India is made from cubic zirconia (CZ) stones set in plated brass or alloy, and Rajkot is one of the main places buyers go to find American diamond jewellery manufacturers. Quality varies widely between workshops, mostly because of stone grade and how well the stones are set.
The terms are used loosely. American diamond versus cubic zirconia explains that in the trade they usually mean the same stone, with American diamond being the Indian market name.
What separates a good CZ piece from a poor one?
Three things drive the look: the clarity and cut of the stone, how evenly the stones match in size and colour, and how tightly they are held. Stone grades are described in cubic zirconia stone grades explained.
A well-cut CZ catches light evenly. Lower grades look cloudy or show uneven facets, and the problem is easy to spot under a loupe or in a bright window. Ask suppliers for close-up photos in daylight, not studio shots with heavy lighting.
How the stones are set
Stones are held by prongs, by a bezel, by pave setting in small clusters, or simply glued into cups. Prong and bezel settings last longer under wear. Glue alone is quicker and cheaper, but stones fall out sooner, especially on rings and bracelets that knock against surfaces.
Ask directly which method is used for each design and ask for a sample to be flexed and tapped. Our guide to how stones are set in jewellery shows what each looks like on the back of a piece.
Choosing a Rajkot workshop
When you compare American diamond jewellery manufacturers, check these points:
- Whether the workshop sets stones itself or sends pieces to outside setters.
- Whether it sorts stones by size and colour before setting, which keeps rows of stones uniform.
- What plating it applies, and whether it offers rhodium or white-gold-tone finishes that keep the CZ looking bright.
- Whether it has a lab test record for nickel and lead on CZ designs sold to the EU and US.
Quality checks before shipping
Count loose or missing stones on a sample from every carton, not only the first. Check the colour of the plating in daylight, and compare it with your approved sample. Tarnish from poor packaging is also common with white-tone finishes.
Write the stone grade, setting method and plating type into the purchase order so the bulk can be judged against it. The general approach is in what a factory audit should contain.
How do you keep a CZ range looking bright?
CZ jewellery depends on shine, and shine fades when plating wears or when the pieces are stored badly. Rhodium plating keeps white-tone pieces bright, but it needs a clean base layer under it. Ask which layers the plater applies and in what order.
Packing is just as important. Pieces left loose in a carton scratch each other, and damp air dulls plating and stones. Specify individual pouches or compartment boxes, and ask for silica gel in cartons that will spend weeks at sea. If your customers wear the jewellery daily, give them care advice: avoid perfume and water, and wipe pieces with a dry soft cloth.
Next step
AD and CZ pieces are easy to source and easy to get wrong. We shortlist and audit workshops, have samples tested, and supervise production and loading. To plan your range, book a free sourcing review.