1 November 2026
What to Send a Jewelry Manufacturer to Get an Accurate Quote
The 9 things a jewelry manufacturer needs to give you a real price, and a short enquiry you can copy and send.
To get an accurate quote from a jewelry manufacturer, send your design files or sketches with dimensions, the metal, the plating and thickness, the stones, the quantity per design, the target weight if you have one, your deadline and your destination country. A price depends mostly on the weight of the piece and the work it needs, so a manufacturer can't give a real number from a photo and "how much?" alone.
At Ruvolla, our 925 sterling silver workshop in Istanbul, an enquiry with this information can get a price on the first reply. Without it, the same quote takes several rounds of email.
The checklist
| # | What to send | Example | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Design file or sketch | STL file, or a drawing with sizes in mm | The file decides the weight and the work |
| 2 | Dimensions | Pendant 18 x 12 mm, 1.5 mm thick | The same design at 2 mm instead of 1.5 mm can cost far more |
| 3 | Metal | 925 sterling silver | Sets the base price per gram |
| 4 | Plating and thickness | 18K yellow gold, 2.5 micron | Thickness changes the price, sometimes by more than you expect |
| 5 | Stones | 2 mm round cubic zirconia, 5A, 14 per piece | Stone count drives setting work |
| 6 | Quantity per design | 20 of each of 5 designs | Sets the run and shows whether the minimum is met |
| 7 | Sizes | Ring sizes EU 52 to 58, chain 45 + 5 cm | Each size needs its own pieces |
| 8 | Logo or marking | Logo inside band, next to the 925 stamp | Affects the design and finishing |
| 9 | Deadline and country | Delivered to France by 10 December | Lets the factory plan samples, production and shipping backwards |
If you don't know one of these, say so. A good manufacturer will help you decide. Don't leave it out silently, because the factory will guess, and then the price you compare won't be for the piece you want.
If you don't have a 3D file
You don't need one to get started. A clear sketch with measurements in millimetres is enough for us to model the piece. Draw it from the front and the side, mark the thickness, and show where the stones and clasp go. A photo of a wax or handmade prototype also helps. AI-generated images are fine for showing the mood, but they don't contain measurements, and they often show things that can't be cast or set as drawn. Send a sketch with sizes as well.
If you only have a reference photo
Tell the manufacturer what you want to keep and what you want to change. Only send designs you have the right to make.
Ask these back
A quote is only useful if you can compare it. Ask each factory to state:
- The estimated weight of each piece in grams.
- The plating karat and thickness in microns, in writing.
- Whether modelling and mould costs are separate. At Ruvolla, production orders of 20 pieces or more per design have no modelling or mould fee. A physical sample before that costs USD 70 to 120 depending on the piece and stays as a balance on your account.
- What is included in the price: casting, stone setting, polishing, stamping and quality control.
- Who owns the moulds. See who owns the moulds and designs.
- The time needed for samples and for production, and what you need to approve. With us, each takes about a week.
- Which test reports they can provide, such as a 925 test or a REACH report for the EU.
Our list of 12 questions to ask a wholesale silver jewelry supplier goes further on trust and documents.
A short enquiry you can copy
Hello, I am [name] from [brand], based in [country]. We would like a quote for [number] designs. Please confirm the estimated weight and the price per piece.
- Files: attached (STL or sketches with mm dimensions)
- Metal: 925 sterling silver
- Plating: [colour, karat, microns]
- Stones: [type, grade, size, number per piece]
- Quantity: [number] per design
- Sizes: [ring sizes or chain lengths]
- Logo: [yes or no, and where]
- Sample needed first: [yes or no]
- Deadline: delivered to [city, country] by [date]
Frequently asked questions
Can a jewelry manufacturer quote from a photo?
Only roughly. A photo doesn't show the weight, thickness or stone size, and weight is the main part of the price. A photo plus approximate dimensions gets you much closer.
How long does a quote take?
It depends on the factory and how complete your brief is. We reply to trade enquiries within one business day. Complex custom work may need a question or two to the workshop before we can give a final figure.
Should I send an NDA before sharing my designs?
If your designs matter to your brand, yes. Send it before the files. We review your NDA and sign it before we receive your designs.
What is the minimum quantity I should ask for?
Ask for the quantity you really intend to order. Our own designs route starts at 20 pieces per design. See custom jewelry manufacturing.
Send us your brief
Email your files and details to help@ruvolla.com, or WhatsApp +90 540 281 15 53. If you want your logo on our existing designs instead, see private label jewelry.
