Understanding jewellery manufacturing costs
Every cost component in custom jewellery manufacturing — from metal and stones to CAD, casting, and finishing. With industry benchmarks.
The full cost structure
Custom jewellery has more cost components than most jewellers track. The result: most workshops underprice by 20–40% without realising it. A complete quote includes metal, CAD, 3D print, casting, stone setting, finishing, packaging, and overhead.
Metal costs
Metal cost = Weight × (1 + Waste%) × Price/gram
Typical waste percentages by process:
- Casting: 3 – 8%
- Hand fabrication: 1 – 3%
- 3D print + cast: 4 – 7%
CAD design costs
Hourly rate ranges by region:
- EU: €20 – €40 / hr
- US: $25 – $60 / hr
- Middle East: varies widely by city and designer reputation
Typical hours by complexity:
- Simple ring: 1 – 2 hrs
- Complex statement piece: 4 – 8 hrs
3D printing costs
Castable resin costs €0.10 – €0.30 per gram printed depending on resin type. Add printer depreciation (machine cost ÷ expected lifetime prints) and electricity.
Casting costs
Casting cost = setup fee + flask preparation + metal melting service. Outsourced casting in EU runs €15 – €40 per flask. Multiple pieces in one flask amortise the setup cost — a major lever for production efficiency.
Stone setting labor
| Setting type | Cost range (EU) |
|---|---|
| Swarovski / CZ | €2 – €4 |
| Standard diamond (prong) | €5 – €10 |
| Bezel set diamond | €8 – €15 |
| Micro-pavé | €10 – €20 |
Finishing and polishing
Most workshops charge a flat rate that covers barrel polishing, hand polishing, and a rhodium plating bath for white gold pieces. Specialist finishes (matte, hammered, engraving) are billed separately by the hour.
Overhead and hidden costs
- Packaging: €2 – €15 depending on box quality
- Photography for client / catalogue
- Platform fees (Etsy, Instagram Shopping, your website)
- Insurance during transit and in-shop
If these aren't built into your quote, they come straight out of your margin.
Industry benchmarks
Average B2C margin on custom jewellery in EU markets: 60 – 100% over total cost. B2B (sold to retailer): 25 – 40%. See our pricing margin guide for the full regional breakdown.
Try this in the Manufacturing Calculator
Enter all your cost components — Goldify breaks down each cost and applies your margin.