Casting means pouring molten metal into a mould to make a solid, three-dimensional piece. Stamping means pressing a flat sheet of brass or copper between hardened steel dies to cut and shape it, and die-making is the toolroom work that produces those dies.
Rajkot has a large base of casting units, stamping presses and die-makers, which is one reason new designs can move from drawing to sample quickly. Knowing which method your design needs helps you understand the cost, the MOQ and who owns the tooling.
Casting
Most imitation jewellery casting uses the lost-wax method. A master model is made, rubber moulds are taken from it, wax copies are injected into those moulds, and the wax pieces are set in plaster and burnt out so molten brass or alloy can fill the space. Zinc alloy pieces are often die-cast in metal moulds instead.
Casting suits bulky, detailed or rounded shapes such as rings, pendants, kadas and temple jewellery motifs. Watch for porosity, which shows as tiny pits after polishing and plating, and for rough sprue marks where the metal was fed in.
Stamping
Stamping cuts and forms sheet metal in a press. It is fast and consistent and gives light pieces, which makes it ideal for flat or shallow designs such as earring tops, pendant blanks, bangle strips and chain links.
Because stamped pieces are thin, they can bend in wear or shipping. Ask for the sheet thickness in your specification and check it on samples and on production.
Die-making
A die is a set of hardened steel tools cut to your design. Die-makers in Rajkot use CNC machines, spark erosion and hand finishing. A good die gives sharp detail and clean edges for a long run; a poor one gives burrs and needs more hand finishing on every piece.
Die cost is usually charged once and spread over the order, which is why stamped designs carry a higher MOQ than handmade ones.
Which method suits your design
- Rounded, detailed or heavy pieces: casting.
- Flat, light or repeated parts in high volume: stamping.
- Small runs or design tests: casting from a rubber mould or handwork, to avoid die cost.
- Complex sets: often a mix, with cast motifs soldered onto stamped bases.
What this means for a buyer
Ask the maker which method they plan for each part and why. Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing: we visit casting and stamping units, check samples for porosity, burrs and finish, and supervise packing. Start with a free sourcing review.