A private label jewelry manufacturer makes rings, earrings, necklaces and bracelets to your designs or from its own catalog, then stamps or packages them under your brand. Published minimums are modest, from 50 to 300 pieces per design at overseas makers. What separates a trustworthy jewelry brand from a complaint magnet is how you describe the metal. The FTC’s Jewelry Guides set precise meanings for “gold filled”, “gold plated”, “vermeil” and “sterling”, and children’s jewelry carries lead limits and mandatory third-party testing.
I’ll compare manufacturers, then cover metal claims, kids’ jewelry rules, and Amazon’s approval process.
Jewelry manufacturers and minimums
From each company’s own site, checked in October 2026:
| Manufacturer | Location | Published minimum |
|---|---|---|
| Customcy | Pakistan | 50 units per design for custom jewelry |
| JR Earring | Taiwan | 100 to 300 pieces per design |
| Kesheen | Dongguan, China | 200 pieces, across all jewelry categories |
My take: start with a tight collection of five to eight designs in one metal finish. Jewelry sells on a recognizable style; a scattered first collection teaches you little. Order samples of every design before committing to the minimum.
Metal claims: what the FTC terms mean
The FTC’s Jewelry Guides (16 CFR Part 23) define the words buyers rely on:
| Term | What it means |
|---|---|
| “14 Karat Gold” | Karat fineness stated with equal prominence to the word “Gold”; tolerance of three parts per thousand (seven if soldered) |
| Gold filled | Gold at least 1/20th of the article’s metal weight, at least 10 karat |
| Rolled gold plate | Gold at least 1/40th of the metal weight, at least 10 karat |
| Gold electroplate | Fine gold at least 0.175 microns thick throughout |
| Heavy gold electroplate | At least 2.5 microns |
| Vermeil | Sterling silver base plated with at least 10 karat gold, minimum 2.5 microns |
| Sterling silver | At least 925/1,000ths pure silver |
In my view, this table is your supplier contract checklist. Ask the manufacturer to state, in writing, the base metal, plating thickness and gold karat for every design, and only use the matching term. “Gold” on a thinly plated brass ring is how jewelry brands lose trust.
Nickel: no US rule, but buyers care
The CPSC says there are no mandatory federal requirements specifically for jewelry. Nickel is covered only by a voluntary standard (ASTM F2923). The EU, by contrast, limits nickel release for items in prolonged skin contact. Honestly, I’d still ask for nickel-free or low-nickel alloys. It removes an avoidable reason for skin complaints.
Children’s jewelry: lead, cadmium and testing
If jewelry is designed or intended primarily for children 12 and under, it’s a children’s product:
- Lead: more than 100 ppm lead in an accessible component makes it a banned hazardous substance.
- Testing: it must be tested by a third-party, CPSC-accepted laboratory, with a Children’s Product Certificate based on those results.
- Cadmium: California limits children’s jewelry (for under-15s) to 300 ppm cadmium by weight, and Minnesota limits all jewelry to 90 ppm lead and 75 ppm cadmium.
My advice: don’t market to kids unless you’re ready for testing and certification. Adult jewelry still benefits from lead and cadmium testing, especially if you sell into California or Minnesota.
Selling jewelry on Amazon
Fine jewelry is a gated category. Amazon staff in the Seller Forums have said you must be a Professional seller and apply to sell, that Amazon may review up to six items for quality, and that review typically takes about six weeks and can extend to ten. Fashion jewelry is generally easier to list, but your metal claims must still match your supplier’s specs.
When you list, photograph pieces on a person for scale, show the clasp and the back, and state the metal and plating plainly in the title or bullets. For related categories, see our guides to private label handbags manufacturers and private label activewear. If you’d like a team to source and vet jewelry makers, that’s our complete sourcing management service.
FAQ
What is the minimum order for private label jewelry?
Published minimums from overseas makers range from 50 units per design to 100 to 300 pieces per design, with one Chinese factory at 200 pieces across all categories.
What does “gold plated” mean under FTC rules?
Gold electroplate means fine gold at least 0.175 microns thick throughout. Heavy gold electroplate requires at least 2.5 microns.
What is vermeil?
Sterling silver plated with gold of at least 10 karat, at least 2.5 microns thick, per the FTC Jewelry Guides.
Is there a US limit on nickel in jewelry?
There’s no mandatory federal rule; nickel is covered by a voluntary ASTM standard. Many brands still choose nickel-free alloys.
Does children’s jewelry need testing?
Yes. Children’s products (12 and under) must meet the 100 ppm lead limit and be tested by a CPSC-accepted third-party lab, with a Children’s Product Certificate.
Do I need approval to sell jewelry on Amazon?
Fine jewelry requires applying to sell as a Professional seller, with a quality review that Amazon staff say typically takes about six weeks.
Last updated: October 5, 2026. General information, not legal advice. Sources: 16 CFR 23.3; 16 CFR 23.4; 16 CFR 23.5; CPSC, jewelry FAQ; CPSC, total lead content; CPSC, Children’s Product Certificate; California HSC 25214.2; Minnesota Statutes 325E.3892; Amazon Seller Forums, fine jewelry approval; Kesheen; JR Earring; Customcy.
