"How long will it take?" is the second question every buyer asks, after price. The honest answer is that it depends, and knowing what it depends on lets you plan so you are never short of stock at a peak.
What decides lead time
New design or repeat. A new design needs CAD or a hand master, a proof, a mould and a sample before bulk production. A repeat design skips most of that.
Complexity. Multi-part pieces, fine filigree and hollow constructions take longer to cast and assemble.
Stone work. Hand-setting kemp, Kundan and pave AD is the slowest stage. A stone-heavy choker takes far longer than a plain antique pendant.
Finish. Antique finishes involve extra steps compared with bright plating.
Quantity. Larger runs take longer in total, though factories may batch them so you receive stock in stages.
Season. Before Diwali and the wedding months, every factory is busy. Orders placed late wait in a longer queue.
A typical sequence for a new design
- Brief and reference shared on WhatsApp
- CAD model and rendered proof
- Revisions if needed
- Master and mould
- Physical sample and your approval
- Bulk production: casting, plating, setting, finishing
- QC and video approval
- Packing and dispatch
Repeat orders usually start at step 6.
How to plan around peaks
| Peak | Plan |
|---|---|
| North Indian wedding season | Order bridal Kundan and AD well ahead |
| South Indian muhurtham dates | Order temple and kemp sets early |
| Navratri | Oxidised and colourful pieces need early orders |
| Diwali and Dhanteras | Festive sets and gifting lines, place orders months before |
As a rule, order new designs for a peak much earlier than repeat designs, and keep a reserve of your top sellers so a delayed batch does not empty your shelves.
How to shorten lead time
- Choose from existing designs where possible
- Approve proofs and samples quickly
- Pay the advance promptly so production can start
- Keep specifications fixed after approval
- For large orders, accept batch-wise delivery
What a manufacturer should tell you
A clear lead time at the time of quote, an update if anything changes, and a video of ready stock before dispatch. At Jagruti we confirm feasibility and timeline when you share a design, usually the same day. See how we supply wholesalers.
Lead time by type of order
| Order type | What adds time | Typical planning window |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat of an existing design | Almost nothing; moulds and stone lists exist | About a month from confirmation |
| Catalogue design, first order | Checking moulds, stone sourcing | About a month from confirmation |
| Modified catalogue design (new colour or size) | A proof or sample for the change | Add one to two weeks |
| New custom design | CAD, master, mould, sample approval | Add two to four weeks before bulk |
| Large bridal sets | More stones and setting labour | Allow extra time in peak season |
These are planning windows, not promises: the factory's order book and the season change them.
Seasonal effects in Mumbai
- Before Navratri, Diwali and the winter weddings, workshops run at capacity and setters are in short supply. Orders placed late wait in a queue.
- During the monsoon (roughly June to September), transport in and around Mumbai can slow, adding a few days to dispatch.
- After Diwali, many karigars travel home for the festival season, and production restarts gradually.
The best time to place a big seasonal order is two to three months before the season, when there is room in the schedule to do it carefully.
How to plan backwards
Start from the date the goods must be on your shelves, subtract your transport time, subtract the factory's lead time, and subtract a week for approval and payment. The date you get is your last safe order date. Put it in your calendar for every season.
What slows an order down, and how to avoid it
- Late approvals. Every day a proof or sample waits for your reply is a day added to delivery. Reply the same day where you can.
- Changes after confirmation. Changing stone colours or sizes after production starts can mean re-work. Make changes at the sample stage.
- Unclear specifications. Vague instructions lead to questions and waiting. Send a clear written note with each order.
- Payment delays. Production usually starts when the advance arrives, and dispatch when the balance does.
- Transport not arranged. Have your transporter or courier ready before the goods are finished.
Buyers who approve quickly and pay on time are the ones whose orders move fastest, in every season.