30 pieces per design in 925 silver or brass, 50 for enamelled work, samples in 7 days. Here is the honest cost maths behind a first order.
The arithmetic of small batches, stated plainly, before you send an enquiry.
A minimum order quantity is not a policy a factory invents to be difficult — it is the point at which a batch stops losing money. Casting a tree needs enough models to fill the flask; a plating bath has a minimum volume; QC and packing are per-lot costs. Our floor is 30 pieces per design in 925 silver or brass, because that is the smallest run our own cost structure supports without inflating your unit price.
| Cost line | At 30 pcs | At 100 pcs | At 300 pcs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mould / model setup | Full cost on 30 units | Same cost on 100 | Same cost on 300 |
| Casting tree fill | Flask often part-filled — you pay for the empty space | Usually full | Full, plus tree optimisation |
| Plating bath | Minimum bath charge, not proportional to volume | Proportional | Proportional |
| Benches and QC time | Per-lot fixed: 1–2 hours | Same fixed time | Same fixed time |
| Packaging | Hand-packed, small-quantity prices | Better card and pouch pricing | Print-run pricing |
| Effective unit cost | Index 1.6–2.2× | Index 1.0× | Index 0.75–0.85× |
Read the last row honestly: 30 pieces does not cost the same per unit as 300, and no honest factory will pretend otherwise. What low MOQ buys you is the right to find out whether a design sells before you spend on 300 of them. That optionality is worth the premium on the first order.
What actually sets each floor, and which combinations are allowed.
| Construction | MOQ | Why this number |
|---|---|---|
| 925 silver, cast, no new mould | 30 pcs | 30 models fill a flask without waste |
| Brass, cast or stamped | 30 pcs (stamped 50) | Stamping dies need a longer run to justify setup |
| Stone-set (CZ, moissanite up to 8 mm) | 30 pcs | Setting is per-piece labour, so small runs are viable |
| Enamel / hand-painted colour | 50 pcs | Colour matching and kiln batches are per-colour costs |
| New mould from your sketch | 100–200 pcs | Mould cost has to be spread; below 100 the unit price breaks |
| Laser engraving or logo stamp | 50 pcs | Fixture setup per design |
| Custom packaging (printed boxes, cards) | 100 pcs per size | Print minimums, not our minimum |
Mixed-style orders combine toward one minimum: 3 designs × 30 pieces satisfies the 90-piece target for a first collection. What cannot be mixed is plating colour — each colour is a separate bath run.
| What you ask for | Extra cost at 30 pcs | How to avoid it |
|---|---|---|
| A brand-new mould | USD 80–350 one-off, plus 8–12 days | Adapt an existing model first; keep the new mould for the reorder |
| A plating colour outside our standard three | Bath setup + minimum bath charge | Stick to rhodium, 18K yellow, rose gold on the first run |
| A clasp or finding we do not stock | Tooling or sourcing, 5–10 days | Choose from stock findings; change on the second order |
| Printed gift boxes | Print minimum usually 100–500 | Use stock boxes with a printed sleeve or sticker for the pilot |
| Rush production | 15–30% surcharge | Build the 25–35 day window into your launch plan |
None of these are hidden charges — they are quoted before the order and itemised on the invoice. A supplier who quotes a single unit price for a 30-piece custom run either has not costed it or will change the price at shipment.
Shipping by DHL, FedEx or UPS express, 3–5 working days to the US, UK, EU and Australia; sea and rail consolidation for repeat orders above 500 pcs. Export documents prepared for you. If your design needs a new mould, read the custom route first — the MOQ changes with it.
30 pieces per design in 925 sterling silver or brass, 50 for enamelled or colour-matched work, and 100–200 where a new mould has to be cut. Mixed designs can combine toward one target.
Yes — roughly 1.6 to 2.2 times the 100-piece price on a silver piece, depending on how much of the cost is setup. The premium is the cost of not committing to inventory you have not tested.
Designs yes, colours no. Three designs at 10 pieces each is a 30-piece order. Three plating colours on one design is also fine, but each colour is a separate bath run, so keep each colour at 8 pieces or more.
Yes, against your first bulk order of 100 pieces or more. The sample is charged at cost, not at a marked-up rate, and the fee is credited on the invoice.
Samples in 7 days after design and plating approval; bulk in 25–35 days, of which casting is 5–7 days, setting and polishing 8–12, plating 2–3, QC and packing 2–3. Express shipping adds 3–5 days to most destinations.
Yes. The mould is kept for 24 months at no charge, and the second run is quoted at the 150–300 piece tier because setup is already amortised.
Tell us the style, target price and quantity. Within 24 hours you will have material options, MOQ, plating spec and a production date — no obligation, no design fee.
