Local Suppliers vs Overseas Factories — Cost, Speed, and Scalability Compared
Tassel earrings continue to perform strongly in the UK fashion jewellery market, driven by fast-fashion cycles, festival seasons, and social-media-led trends. For UK retailers and brands, sourcing tassel earrings wholesale involves a key strategic choice: local UK suppliers with stocked inventory, or overseas manufacturers offering lower unit costs and customization.
This article reviews seven specific tassel earring manufacturers and suppliers that serve the UK market, including local UK wholesalers and overseas factories. Using comparative data tables, we evaluate pricing, lead times, customization capability, and business suitability. The aim is to help buyers make informed sourcing decisions based on scale, budget, and brand positioning.
UK Tassel Earrings Wholesale Market Overview
Tassel earrings fall under the broader fashion (costume) jewellery segment, which represents a significant portion of the UK accessories market.
| Indicator (UK Market) | Estimated Value |
|---|---|
| UK fashion jewellery market size | £4–5 billion |
| Earrings share of jewellery sales | ~30–33% |
| Statement & tassel earrings YoY growth | 9–12% |
| Key sales channels | Fast fashion, online DTC, boutiques |
Key insight: Tassel earrings are a high-rotation product with strong seasonal spikes, making sourcing flexibility and speed critical.
To find out where you can buy jewelry at great value, please see this article: Where to Buy Affordable Jewelry: A Comprehensive
Local vs Overseas Sourcing: Core Differences
Before reviewing individual suppliers, it is useful to understand how local UK suppliers differ structurally from overseas manufacturers.
Comparison Overview
| Factor | UK / Local Suppliers | Overseas Manufacturers |
|---|---|---|
| Inventory | Stocked | Made-to-order |
| Lead time | 2–7 days | 4–8 weeks |
| MOQ | Very low | Medium (200+ pcs) |
| Unit cost | Higher | Lower |
| Custom design | Minimal | Full OEM/ODM |
| Scalability | Limited | High |
| Best use case | Small orders, urgent restock | Brand building, margin growth |
Seven Tassel Earring Manufacturers & Suppliers (UK + Overseas)
UK & Local Suppliers
1. Fashion City / Birmingham Jewellery Quarter Wholesalers (UK)
Location: Birmingham, UK
Type: Local wholesaler & importer
Profile:
Birmingham’s Jewellery Quarter and Fashion City area host several established fashion jewellery wholesalers supplying tassel earrings to UK boutiques and market traders.
Typical MOQ: 6–24 pairs
Lead time: 2–5 working days
Strengths:
Very fast UK delivery
No import procedures
Easy reordering
Limitations:
Generic designs shared across buyers
Higher unit cost
No customization
Best for:
Independent boutiques and short-term restocking.
2. London Fashion Jewellery Importers (UK Warehouses)
Location: London / Greater London
Type: UK-based importer with local warehouse
Profile:
These suppliers import fashion earrings from Asia but stock them in UK warehouses, offering tassel earrings as part of seasonal collections.
Typical MOQ: 12–50 pairs
Lead time: 2–7 days
Strengths:
Faster than overseas ordering
Trend-aligned collections
Limitations:
Limited exclusivity
Medium pricing
No deep OEM support
Best for:
Online sellers and multi-SKU retailers.
3. Europa Fashions / EU-UK Jewellery Wholesalers
Location: EU (serving UK)
Type: Regional wholesaler
Profile:
European fashion accessory wholesalers supplying tassel earrings to UK clients, often via distributors.
Typical MOQ: 12–36 pairs
Lead time: 5–10 days
Strengths:
Stable quality
Fashion-forward styles
Limitations:
Customs delays post-Brexit
Higher landed cost
Best for:
Retailers prioritizing EU-style aesthetics.
Overseas Manufacturers & Factories
4. Qingdao OKA Arts and Crafts Co., Ltd (OKA Accessories)
Location: Qingdao & Yiwu (China), London design office
Founded: 2013
Type: OEM / ODM manufacturer
Company Profile:
OKA Accessories is a professional fast-fashion jewellery manufacturer serving global retailers in over 50 countries. The company combines UK-based design development with Chinese manufacturing and sourcing efficiency.
Typical MOQ: 200 pieces
Sampling: 7–10 days
Production lead time: 5–6 weeks
Annual capacity: 5–7 million pieces
Strengths:
London design center with 12 years’ EU/US retail experience
Full customization (design, plating, tassel materials, packaging)
In-house mold workshop and casting room
100% full inspection; 98% lab test pass rate
On-time delivery rate: 97%
Limitations:
Not suitable for ultra-small orders
Requires planning vs local stock buying
Best for:
Fast-fashion brands, wholesalers, and retailers building exclusive collections.
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5. Guangdong Xuping Jewelry Co., Ltd
Location: Guangdong, China
Type: Large-scale fashion jewellery manufacturer
Profile:
A well-known costume jewellery exporter specializing in plated earrings and high-volume production.
Typical MOQ: Varies by SKU
Lead time: 4–6 weeks
Strengths:
Competitive pricing
High production capacity
Consistent finishes
Limitations:
Limited design originality without OEM development
Best for:
Price-driven, high-volume programs.
6. Yiwu Rinhoo Jewelry Co., Ltd
Location: Yiwu, China
Type: Fashion jewellery supplier
Profile:
Yiwu-based supplier offering trend-driven tassel earrings using local material advantages.
Typical MOQ: Flexible for stocked items
Lead time: 3–6 weeks
Strengths:
Fast trend response
Wide tassel material options
Limitations:
Quality consistency varies by order
Best for:
Seasonal collections with moderate customization.
7. Talmud (Custom Jewelry OEM Manufacturer)
Location: China
Type: OEM / ODM manufacturer
Profile:
An established custom jewellery manufacturer serving international brands with white-label and private-label services.
Typical MOQ: 200–500 pieces
Lead time: 5–8 weeks
Strengths:
Strong OEM capability
Complex design execution
Limitations:
Higher development cost
Longer sampling cycles
Best for:
Premium or technically complex designs.
Cost & Margin Comparison (Indicative)
| Supplier Type | Avg. Unit Cost (£) | MOQ | Margin Potential |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK wholesalers | 2.80–3.50 | Low | Low–Medium |
| EU wholesalers | 2.50–3.20 | Low | Medium |
| Overseas factories | 1.50–2.20 | Medium | High |
| OKA Accessories | 1.60–1.90 | 200 | High |
Lead Time & Reliability Comparison
| Supplier Type | Sampling Time | Production Time | On-Time Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| UK stock supplier | N/A | Immediate | 95% |
| Trading company | 2–3 weeks | 6–8 weeks | 85% |
| OKA Accessories | 7–10 days | 5–6 weeks | 97% |
Why Customization Matters in Tassel Earrings Wholesale UK
UK retailers increasingly demand exclusive designs to avoid price wars and brand dilution.
Customization Elements That Drive Sales
| Feature | Impact on Sales |
|---|---|
| Custom tassel length & texture | +12% |
| Unique plating colors | +18% |
| Branded packaging | +22% |
| Seasonal color matching | +15% |
Which Supplier Type Should You Choose?
| Business Type | Recommended Supplier |
|---|---|
| Small boutique | UK local wholesalers |
| Online reseller | UK importer + overseas backup |
| Fast-fashion brand | Overseas OEM (OKA, Talmud) |
| Wholesaler | OKA / Guangdong factories |
| Brand with exclusivity needs | OKA Accessories |
Conclusion
From an objective sourcing perspective:
Local UK suppliers offer speed and convenience but limit margins and differentiation.
Overseas manufacturers provide better cost control, scalability, and design ownership, but require planning.
Suppliers that combine local market insight with overseas production offer the most balanced long-term solution.
Based on the data reviewed, Qingdao OKA Arts and Crafts Co., Ltd (OKA Accessories) stands out as a manufacturer that effectively bridges these two models through its London design office and China-based manufacturing infrastructure. This positioning makes it particularly suitable for UK buyers seeking sustainable growth rather than short-term replenishment.
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