Lead time depends mostly on whether the design already exists. Ready stock can typically be packed and shipped in one to two weeks, repeat production of a running design typically takes three to five weeks, and a new design that needs a die or mould, a sample and your approval typically takes six to ten weeks from brief to shipment.
Those are working ranges, not promises. Season, stone supply and plating capacity all move them, so always ask the maker for a dated schedule.
The stages of a production order
- Design and tooling: drawing or CAD, then a master model, die or rubber mould. Only needed for new designs.
- Sample: one or a few pieces made, plated and sent for your approval. Allow for courier time both ways if you approve physically.
- Raw material: base metal, stones, findings and packaging bought or pulled from stock.
- Casting or stamping, then cleaning, polishing and assembly.
- Stone setting, which is often the slowest step for kundan, AD and pave work because it is done by hand.
- Plating and coating, then drying and curing.
- Quality check, counting, tagging and packing.
What makes orders run late
Festival season is the biggest factor. Indian domestic demand peaks before Diwali and the wedding season, and workshops give priority to large domestic buyers they have served for years. If you need goods for your own holiday season, book production well ahead of the Indian festival rush.
Other common causes are slow sample approval, a stone colour that has to be sourced, a plating colour that does not match on the first attempt, and changes to the design after the sample is approved. Each change sends the order back a stage.
How to keep to the schedule
- Approve samples quickly and in writing, with photos of the approved piece.
- Agree a dated schedule with milestones for tooling, sample, bulk and packing.
- Confirm stones, findings and packaging are in hand before bulk starts.
- Ask for photos or a visit at the setting and plating stages, not only at the end.
- Add shipping time on top: air freight is a matter of days, sea freight several weeks.
What this means for a buyer
Plan backwards from the date you need goods on your shelf, and leave room for one round of sample corrections. New collections almost always take longer than buyers expect.
Creston & Co works for buyers only, for a fixed fee agreed in writing. We agree milestones with the workshop, visit at the setting and plating stages, and supervise packing so you hear about delays early. Ask for a free sourcing review.