What “lead time” means in B2B jewellery
Lead time is the total time from order validation to ready-to-deliver product (including checks and finishing). In jewellery, it isn’t a single phase: it’s a chain.
Typical phases (end to end)
1) Initial alignment (brief + feasibility)
- Specification validation
- Confirmation of materials, finishes, stones, packaging
- Review of tolerances and risks
What delays it: incomplete brief, scope changes, undecided materials/finishes.
2) CAD / engineering (if applicable)
- Design-for-manufacture adjustments (DFM)
- Defining tolerances and critical areas
- Preparing for prototype
What delays it: missing key dimensions, repeated changes, undocumented requirements.
3) Prototyping / sample (if applicable)
- Prototype to validate aesthetics, comfort, strength, setting
- Adjustments after feedback
What delays it: endless revisions without clear acceptance criteria.
4) Industrial preparation (tooling / jigs / moulds)
- Setup for consistent production
- Process definition and control points
What delays it: high complexity, high variability, extreme tolerances.
5) Production
- Batch manufacturing according to process (casting, stamping, assembly)
- Consistency monitoring
What delays it: last-minute changes, material variation, supply issues.
6) Finishing and treatments
- Polishing, textures, plating, contrasts, engraving, etc.
What delays it: multiple finishes in one reference, finish changes after validation.
7) Quality control (QC)
- Dimensional/aesthetic inspection
- Setting security and functionality checks
- Rejections/rework management
What delays it: undefined criteria, no approved “golden sample”, unagreed tolerances.
8) Packaging and shipment preparation
- Labelling, sets, final packing
- Documentation and dispatch (if applicable)
What accelerates lead time (without lowering quality)
- A closed, approved brief (material, finish, stones, packaging).
- An approved golden sample.
- QC criteria aligned with the brand.
- Grouping compatible references in the same production window.
- Controlled change management: one channel, one owner, a cadence.
What typically breaks the schedule
- Design changes after prototyping without assessing tooling impact.
- Too many variants (sizes, colours, stones) from the first lot.
- Unclear priorities: cost vs speed vs absolute aesthetic perfection.
- Missing approvals at key milestones.
How to plan your launch (recommended)
- Define your target delivery date.
- Lock a window for prototype + approval.
- Add buffer for QC and rework.
- Prioritise: start with 1-2 “hero” references before scaling to 10.
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