The MJSA Guide to Subcontractors
MJSA Members: To be included in this guide, click here to submit your information.
The Beatles had it right: Sometimes you do just need a little help from your friends—especially if your friends include casters, stone setters, CAD designers, and other subcontractors who can help you pull together all the pieces in the jewelry-making process. Below are some of the more commonly requested services; click on the links to find participating MJSA members who can supply the help you need. The listings include detailed information, such as minimum (and sometimes maximum) order requirements, additional services offered, acceptable digital files, and even whether melee is available.
Why You Should Work with an MJSA Member
Knowing that MJSA members have agreed to abide by the MJSA Code of Ethics, buyers have confidence when dealing with them. That code is enforced by an appointed administrator, who ensures that any complaint against a member is heard and handled with promptness, efficiency, and fairness. To read the Code of Ethics, as well as its regulatory and enforcement procedures, click here.
Subcontractor Listings
Click on the links below to find detailed information about member companies that can meet your specific subcontracting needs.
Assaying Services—Listings include information about types of testing available, types of metarials that can be tested, delivery times, witnessing policies.
CAD Services—Listings include information about policies on design changes, delivery times, pricing guidelines, and additional services offered.
CAM Services—Listings include information about types of CAM options, acceptable file formats, policies on design changes, delivery times, pricing guidelines, and additional services offered.
Casting Services—Listings include information about metals that can be cast, return policies, delivery times, minimum order requirements, volume discounts, availability of open lines, and additional services offered.
Contract Manufacturing (General Services)—Listings include information about types of services provided, minimum order requirements, and availability of open lines.
Engraving Services—Listings include information about engraving options, minimum and maximum sizes of pieces to be engraved, acceptable file formats, minimum order requirements, and delivery times.
Model Making Services—Listings include information about how models are made, available consultation and adjustment services, delivery times, and additional services offered.
Refining Services—Listings include information about metals accepted for refining; minimum charges; time frames for sampling, analysis, and settlement; analysis methods; and witnessing policies.
Stamping Services—Listings include information about tooling options, minimum order requirements, delivery times, metals that can be stamped, and availability of open lines.
Stone Setting Services—Listings include information about minimum order requirements, delivery times, stone restrictions, and whether melee is available.
MJSA Member Pages
The articles below are available only to MJSA members, who will need to enter their login codes and passwords. If you need help, please contact MJSA.
Finding & Choosing Subcontractors
Tips for finding the right subcontractor to meet your needs.
Safe Subcontracting
How to protect yourself when working with subcontractors.
Smooth Subcontracting
How to ensure a good relationship with your contract service providers.
Working with Your Caster
How to ensure your castings meet expectations.
To Stamp, or Not to Stamp?
How to determine when tool & die is your best option.
Working with Your CAD/CAM Provider
A model approach to developing a good relationship.
Working with Your Refiner
Guidelines for developing a refined relationship.
Assaying Basics
Understanding a refiner’s metal sampling and analysis processes.
Download a PDF Version of the MJSA Guide to Subcontractors
MJSA members can download a PDF version of the Guide to Subcontractors for free; just click here. Non-members can purchase the PDF for $12.95 in the MJSA Bookstore. To learn more about how to join MJSA, click here.
