If you are deciding where to make a jewelry line in 2026, Thailand and China are usually the first two countries on the list. Both have deep manufacturing bases and both can make good work. They differ in what they are best known for, how small a run is practical, and how US tariffs treat them. This guide lays those differences out as plainly as we can.
A note on where this comes from: we are a jewelry manufacturer in Thailand, with a workshop on Sukhumvit 71 in Bangkok, so we know the Thai side first hand. We have tried to be fair to both countries, and where a figure is ours, we say so.
The short version
China is the larger manufacturing base by a wide margin. It has whole districts built around jewelry supply chains, from casting and plating to packaging, and it is very strong in high volume production, fashion jewelry and fast tooling. Thailand, and Bangkok in particular, is known for fine jewelry: gold, silver and platinum, careful hand finishing, and a colored gemstone trade that has been centered here for generations.
So the question is less “which country is better” and more “which one suits this collection”. A brand making solid gold or 925 sterling silver pieces with natural stones, in runs of tens or hundreds per design, will often find a good fit in Bangkok. A brand making tens of thousands of plated alloy pieces will often find a good fit in China. Plenty of brands use both.
Side by side
Where the Thailand column gives a specific figure, it is Toanoi Jewelry’s own published number. Other Thai factories set their own terms.
| Factor | Thailand (Bangkok) | China |
|---|---|---|
| Typical strength | Fine jewelry in gold, silver and platinum, stone setting, hand finishing | Very wide range, from fashion jewelry in base metals to fine jewelry, with very large volume capacity |
| Minimum order | Solid gold from a single piece, depending on the value of the item. 925 silver from 30 pcs per design | Varies widely. Large factories often prefer big orders, while smaller workshops and trading companies offer short runs |
| Design and CAD | From $30 per design, rising with complexity. 2 to 3 days per design | Widely available. Cost and speed depend on the supplier |
| Samples | 3 to 4 weeks after the design is approved | Often quick, depending on the factory and the tooling needed |
| Production | 4 to 6 weeks. Re-orders and catalog items about 4 weeks | Depends on volume and season |
| Gemstones | Bangkok is a major trading center for colored stones, so buying and matching happen locally | Large supply of lab-grown stones and diamonds, plus natural stones through the trade |
| Main holiday to plan around | Songkran, mid April | Chinese New Year, late January or February |
| US tariffs, as of October 2026 | Normal HTS duty plus a 12.5 percent Section 301 duty | Normal HTS duty plus separate tariff actions that apply to China. The combined rate is often different |
Minimum order quantity
A minimum order is the point where a job stops losing money for the factory. Every new design carries fixed costs: the CAD file, the wax model, the mold, the first sample. Those costs are the same for 20 pieces or 2,000, so they weigh more on each piece in a short run.
That is why the metal matters more than the country. On a gold piece, the metal is most of the price and the setup is a small share, so a very short run still makes sense. On a silver piece, the material is cheap and the setup dominates, so the minimum is higher. As a low MOQ jewelry manufacturer, we start solid gold from a single piece, depending on the value of the item, and 925 sterling silver from 30 pieces per design.
In China you will find both ends of the scale. Some suppliers run very low minimums on catalog items, especially in plated alloys, and the largest factories prefer orders in the thousands. In both countries, the honest answer to “what is your MOQ” depends on the metal, the production method and the stones, so ask per design and per color.
Lead time
Most of the calendar on a new collection is design approval and sampling, not production. Here is how a custom project usually runs with us:
- Design and CAD: 2 to 3 days per design, plus the time you take to review it.
- Samples: 3 to 4 weeks after you approve the design.
- Production: 4 to 6 weeks after you approve the sample.
- Shipping: by FedEx or DHL to most countries.
From first enquiry to delivery, a new custom collection usually takes 6 to 10 weeks. Re-orders of an existing design and catalog items take about 4 weeks, because the mold and the approved sample already exist.
In either country, the bigger scheduling factor is the holiday calendar. Chinese New Year can pause production for several weeks in late January or February. Songkran slows Thailand for several days in mid April. If you need stock for a trade show or a holiday season, get samples approved before those dates.
US tariffs in 2026
Tariff rules for imports into the United States have changed several times since 2025, so treat this section as a snapshot, not advice. As of October 2026, goods of Thai origin pay the normal duty for their HTS code plus an additional 12.5 percent duty under Section 301. The rate comes from the action the Office of the US Trade Representative announced on July 23, 2026 (USTR press release) and published in the Federal Register on July 28, 2026 (Federal Register notice). The notice lists products that are exempt.
Goods of Chinese origin are covered by their own set of tariff actions, including Section 301 duties that date back to 2018, so the combined rate on the same piece can be different. Base duty rates for jewelry also differ by HTS code, for example between silver and gold jewelry.
Two practical points. First, the rate depends on the country of origin, which is generally where the piece is made, so ask your supplier exactly where casting, setting and finishing happen. Second, confirm the current rate for your exact HTS code with your customs broker before you set retail prices.
Metals and gemstones
We work in 925 sterling silver, 9k, 14k and 18k gold, and platinum. If silver is the core of your line, our page on working with a sterling silver jewelry manufacturer covers alloys, plating and finishing in more detail.
Stones are where Bangkok stands out. Being close to the colored stone trade means we can buy parcels, select for color and match stones across a whole production run. We set natural gemstones and lab-grown diamonds, and lab-grown stones are always labeled as lab-grown. Any stone treatment is disclosed to you before you order. We are a member of the Thai Gem and Jewelry Traders Association (TGJTA). If you are planning a monthly stone collection, see how we work as a birthstone jewelry manufacturer.
Which one fits your brand
Thailand is often a good fit when:
- Your line is solid gold, 925 silver or platinum rather than plated base metal.
- Natural gemstones are central to the design and you need them matched.
- You want to start with short runs per design and grow.
- Hand finishing and stone setting quality are a big part of your price point.
China is often a good fit when:
- You need very high volumes per design.
- The line is plated fashion jewelry in base metals.
- You want one supplier to handle jewelry, displays and packaging in very large quantities.
How to compare suppliers in either country
- Ask for a sample of a piece close to yours. Photos show design. A piece in your hand shows finishing, weight and stone setting.
- Ask how metal is stamped. A good supplier stamps the purity and, for private label, your own mark.
- Ask about stones in writing. Natural or lab-grown, and which treatments, before you order.
- Ask for the minimum per design and per color. A single headline MOQ rarely applies to everything.
- Agree the approval steps. Design, sample and pre-shipment check, each approved in writing.
If you plan to sell under your own name, our guide to working with a private label jewelry manufacturer explains branding, hallmarks and packaging, and our step by step guide shows how to start a jewelry brand with a manufacturer.
Frequently asked questions
Is it cheaper to make jewelry in Thailand or China?
It depends on the piece. For solid gold and 925 sterling silver, the metal is a large share of the price and it is bought on the same world market in both countries, so labor, setup and stones make the difference. For very large runs of plated fashion jewelry, large Chinese factories are hard to match on unit price. For fine jewelry in small runs, Thai workshops are often competitive. The reliable way to know is to have the same designs quoted in both places.
What is the minimum order for jewelry manufacturing in Thailand?
It varies by factory and by piece. At Toanoi Jewelry, solid gold starts from a single piece, depending on the value of the item, and 925 sterling silver starts from 30 pieces per design.
What US tariff applies to jewelry made in Thailand?
As of October 2026, goods of Thai origin pay the normal US duty for their HTS code plus an additional 12.5 percent Section 301 duty, under the action USTR announced on July 23, 2026. Some products are exempt. Rates have changed several times since 2025, so confirm the current rate for your product with your customs broker.
How long does jewelry manufacturing take in Bangkok?
At Toanoi Jewelry, a design takes 2 to 3 days, samples take 3 to 4 weeks and production takes 4 to 6 weeks. A new custom collection usually takes 6 to 10 weeks from first enquiry to delivery. Re-orders and catalog items take about 4 weeks.
Can a Thai factory make private label jewelry under my brand?
Yes. Private label and OEM work is a large part of what Bangkok workshops do. We stamp your hallmark or logo on the piece, use your packaging and cards, and ship the finished stock under your brand name.