Specification consistency
Ask how weight, dimensions and plating are controlled between runs. A sample that matches the spec once is not evidence of a repeatable process.
Request the tolerance for each key dimension. A supplier who can state tolerances has measured them; one who says it is all standard has not.
Compare a second lot against the first before scaling. Drift in thickness or finish is easiest to catch early.
Plating and finish
Confirm the plating type and thickness in writing: rhodium, gold, or another finish, with a micron range. Colour consistency across a lot depends on bath control, not on the name of the finish.
Ask how worn edges are handled. A supplier who can describe re-plating and touch-up procedures has dealt with the issue before.
For high-contact pieces, ask for wear or abrasion test results rather than a verbal assurance.
Compliance documents
Nickel release is the first question for earrings and any piece worn against skin. Ask for the test method and the report date, typically EN 1811 and EN 12472 where applicable.
Lead and cadmium restrictions apply in several markets, and the EU requires GPSR labelling with a responsible economic operator. Ask who appears on the label.
Packaging compliance is part of the same conversation. A compliant product in non-compliant packaging still fails at the border.
MOQ and replenishment
Confirm the minimum in styles and pieces, and whether sizes can be mixed within it. The difference between a workable and an unworkable MOQ is usually how it splits across sizes.
Ask for a realistic replenishment lead time and what happens when a component runs out. A best-selling style that cannot be reordered costs more than a slow one.
Check whether the same specification is available on repeat orders or only on the first run.
QC and sample process
Agree a sample approval step with written comments, and keep the approved piece as the reference.
Ask what is checked in production and at final inspection, and whether inspection results are recorded per lot.
Clarify the remedy for a failed lot: rework, replacement or credit. The answer tells you more about the supplier than the sales deck does.
Packaging and labelling
Confirm what is included: pouch, box, care card, barcode and country of origin marking. Each item has a cost and a compliance implication.
If you are launching under your own name, check that the supplier supports private label without changing the underlying specification.
Ask for a packing list format that matches your warehouse system; small mismatches become large receiving delays.