A thorough jewelry quality control process checks a piece at ten points: raw material, casting, dimensions, stone setting, an ultrasonic stress test, plating thickness, corrosion resistance, pull strength, clasp fatigue and a final visual audit. Each stage catches a defect the others miss, which is why one final inspection is not enough. This guide explains the ten stages Deechy uses and what each protects you from.
Part of our Jewelry Manufacturer Guide
Most jewelry defects are invisible on the day a piece is made. Thin plating, a slightly loose stone or hidden porosity all look fine in the box and show up weeks later as a return or a bad review. That is why quality control has to happen throughout production, not just at the end. Deechy Jewelry Manufacturing & Design runs a 10-step quality control process, and the stages below are the ones we use.
The Ten Stages
01. Raw material inspection
Metal purity is verified and stones are checked under 10x magnification for clarity before anything enters production. Why it matters: Bad material cannot be fixed later; catching it at intake removes the risk entirely.
02. High-magnification audit
Raw castings are inspected under microscopes for air bubbles, pits and porosity. Why it matters: Porosity causes plating failures and dark spots weeks after delivery, so it has to be caught before more labour goes into the piece.
03. Dimension precision
Digital calipers check each piece against its CAD specification. Why it matters: Ring sizes, chain lengths and stone seats need to match the listing and stay consistent across reorders.
04. Stone-setting integrity
Every prong and bezel is hand-probed to confirm stones sit flush and do not move. Why it matters: Loose stones are one of the most common complaints in stone-set jewelry.
05. Ultrasonic stress test
Ultrasonic cleaning removes polishing residue and doubles as a test that shakes loose any stone that is not secure. Why it matters: It is a mechanical second check on setting before plating and packing.
06. Plating thickness audit
X-ray measurement checks that plating is even and that e-coating covers the piece. Why it matters: Thin or patchy plating looks fine on day one and wears unevenly later.
07. Corrosion test
Accelerated salt-spray and chemical exposure checks that the finish resists sweat and perfume. Why it matters: It shows how the finish behaves in real life, not just in the box.
08. Pull-force tension test
Chains, solder joints and bails are tested on calibrated tension gauges. Why it matters: A chain that breaks at the clasp loses the customer the whole piece.
09. Functional fatigue test
Clasps and fasteners are opened and closed repeatedly to check spring tension over time. Why it matters: A clasp that weakens after a hundred uses is a return waiting to happen.
10. Final white-glove audit
A 360-degree daylight inspection of finish, stamping and branding before sealing. Why it matters: This is the last check on what your customer will see when they open the box.
What Happens When a Piece Fails
A piece that fails a stage is reworked if the defect can be corrected, or scrapped if it cannot. It does not move on to the next stage, so later checks are not used to catch problems that should have been stopped earlier.
How to Use This With Any Supplier
Ask every supplier for its QC steps in writing and compare them with the list above. Ask specifically how stone settings and plating are checked, because those are the defects that reach customers most often. Agree a golden sample and, for larger orders, an inspection level such as an AQL. Our guide to common silver jewelry defects explains what each check is looking for.
To see the finish these checks protect, browse our moissanite and earrings, such as these four-stone moissanite studs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many quality control steps should a jewelry factory have?
Enough to check material, casting, dimensions, stone setting, plating, durability and final appearance. Deechy uses ten stages; a supplier that cannot describe its steps in writing is a risk.
What is an ultrasonic stress test in jewelry QC?
Ultrasonic cleaning uses high-frequency vibration to remove polishing residue. It also works as a stress test, because a stone that is not properly set will be shaken loose before the piece is plated and packed.
How is plating thickness checked?
With X-ray measurement, which reads the thickness of the plating layer without damaging the piece. It is the only practical way to confirm thickness, because thin plating looks the same as thick plating when new.
What is a white-glove audit?
A final 360-degree inspection under daylight before a piece is sealed for shipment, checking finish, stamping and branding.
Does Deechy stamp its silver jewelry?
Yes. Every piece carries the S925 stamp at no extra charge, and stamping is checked in the final audit.
Part of our Jewelry Manufacturer Guide
