Jewelry sample fees normally cover development work such as the mold and sample material cost, while the exact scope must be confirmed in the quotation. Buyer-designed patterns or shapes may require a mold fee, and sample freight should be checked separately rather than assumed.
When does custom jewelry require a mold fee?
A customer-designed pattern or shape may need a new mold or other tooling before the sample can be made. The requirement depends on the design and production route. Ask the factory whether it can use an existing mold, adapt an existing design or must create new tooling.
A mold charge is a development cost, not simply an extra unit of jewelry. Before paying, confirm which design revision it covers and whether a later change requires additional work.
What can a jewelry sample fee include?
At Jinming, the sample fee normally includes the mold fee and material cost for the sample. The exact breakdown does not have one universal answer because different designs require different development work.
Request a written scope showing the sample quantity, material, process, mold or tooling work, logo, stones or special components. This makes it easier to compare the sample with the later production quotation.
Is sample shipping included?
Freight or sample shipping should be confirmed before the sample order is agreed. Do not assume that an amount described as a “sample fee” includes international delivery. The quotation should state whether freight is included, excluded or charged through the buyer's courier account.
Also confirm whether duties or import charges, if any, are outside the factory's price. A clear delivery scope prevents a development invoice from becoming a dispute after the sample is ready.
Is the jewelry sample fee refundable?
For Jinming's current commercial policy, modified or mold-development sample fees can be refunded when the subsequent bulk order reaches 500 pieces per design. The refund applies to the sample fee only; shipping costs are not refundable.
The quotation should still identify the design, sample scope and amount so the refund can be matched to the correct item and bulk order.
Current Jinming sample terms
Stock samples, modified samples and custom samples
Available stock items, modified styles and fully custom development do not use the same MOQ or sample-cost route.
What should buyers confirm before paying?
- Which sample design and revision will be produced
- Whether a new mold or tooling is required
- Which material, process and components are included
- Whether freight is included and how the sample will ship
- The exact 300-piece or 500-piece refund threshold, if offered
- Whether design changes create a new development charge
Use Jinming's jewelry sampling process to understand the development sequence and review the OEM/ODM options. To clarify the fee for a specific design, send the current artwork, material and dimensions.
Documented buyer case · Stock samples · Sample stage complete
Documented Buyer Journey: From Product Evaluation to Stock Sample Testing
This is a stock-sample case, not a custom-mold project. The commercial arrangement below applied only to this request and should not be read as Jinming's standard sample policy.
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Catalogue request and durability concern
After Jinming introduced its stainless-steel hoop-earring capability, the buyer requested the product catalogue and pricing and asked whether the pieces were tarnish-proof.
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Material, gold colour and testing questions
The buyer asked which metals were used, whether a 14K gold colour was available and which certificates could be provided. Jinming explained that the catalogue mainly showed 18K gold-colour products, that 14K gold colour could also be produced, and attached an RSL testing certificate.
When the buyer asked whether the same collection was available in sterling silver, Jinming explained that it specialises in stainless steel and does not manufacture sterling-silver jewellery.
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Samples selected and stock checked
The buyer selected several pieces for a wear test lasting a few months. For this request, Jinming offered the available stock samples without charge, while delivery was paid by the buyer.
After checking the warehouse, Jinming found that some selected pieces were unavailable and showed alternative samples instead.
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Delivery details confirmed; samples being prepared
The buyer selected one of the quoted international delivery options and confirmed the recipient information. Some additional requested pieces were unavailable, while the remaining styles were in stock. Jinming is now preparing and packing the available samples.
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Payment received and samples dispatched
The buyer paid the sample delivery invoice through PayPal. Jinming then dispatched the prepared stock samples using a tracked international shipping service. This completed the preparation, payment and dispatch stage of this sample request.
Payment has been received and the prepared stock samples have been dispatched. The sample fulfilment stage is complete; buyer delivery confirmation and product evaluation are pending.
Not yet confirmed: delivery, wear-test results, requested revisions or a bulk order.
This documented buyer journey shows how product evaluation, material confirmation, sample selection, payment and dispatch are handled before buyer testing and potential bulk cooperation.
Frequently asked questions
Which jewelry products need a mold fee?
A buyer-designed pattern or shape may require a new mold, depending on the design and production route.
What does Jinming's sample fee normally include?
It normally includes the mold fee and material cost, but the exact scope should be confirmed in the quotation.
Is international sample shipping included in the fee?
Not automatically. Freight or shipping inclusion must be confirmed before the sample order is agreed.
When can a jewelry sample fee be refunded?
Modified or mold-development sample fees are refunded when the corresponding bulk order reaches 500 pieces per design. Shipping costs are not refundable.