A small studio in Amsterdam runs six designs a year and never wants to hold more than 12 pieces of any SKU. Their question is not "can you custom make this?" but "what is the smallest batch you will actually cast, and what does the unit price do as the batch grows?" That is the small-batch economics question every independent jewelry buyer eventually asks. This article lays out our MOQ tiers, the timing behind each tier, and the unit-price curve buyers can plan around.
Why a single custom piece costs more per unit
Casting a one-off uses the same bench time as casting ten: the wax is printed, the flask is invested, the burnout runs for eight hours, and the caster trims each sprue by hand. The fixed cost per order is roughly $80 to $120 in labor and consumables, regardless of whether the flask holds one ring or twelve. At MOQ 1 that fixed cost lands on a single unit. At MOQ 10 it is spread across ten. The unit-price drop from 1 to 10 units is typically 30 to 40%, and from 10 to 30 units another 10 to 15%.
Our MOQ tiers in practice
We run three production tiers. Tier 1 is the one-off custom piece: MOQ 1 unit, 21 to 25 working days, full CAD and setup fee. Tier 2 is the small batch: MOQ 5 units of the same design in mixed finger sizes, 28 to 35 working days, CAD fee waived on the second reorder. Tier 3 is the repeat batch: MOQ 20 units, 35 to 45 working days, per-unit price at the wholesale tier and no CAD fee. Buyers who start at Tier 1 and reorder into Tier 2 typically save 25% on the second order.
What drives timing inside each tier
CAD modeling is the longest single step at 3 to 5 days. Casting itself is 3 to 4 days of furnace time, but the flasks must cool overnight, so casting always runs over a calendar weekend. Setting and finishing is 5 to 7 days. QC and plating is 2 to 3 days. The reason Tier 2 takes a week longer than Tier 1 is that the batch has to be sorted by finger size, assigned to setters, and reassembled before plating. We publish a Gantt with every PO so buyers see where the piece sits. Each unit in the batch then runs through the same 14-point QC pass as a one-off; we do not relax inspection on batch orders.
Material sourcing and the REACH question
Metal for small batches is bought in 100 gram grains. Sterling silver, 10K, 14K and 18K gold grains come with a purity assay. For buyers shipping into the European Union, our metals comply with the REACH nickel directive, which limits nickel release from items in prolonged skin contact. We ship the compliance (FTC jewelry industry guides) declaration with the commercial invoice so buyers do not have to chase the mill. Rhodium-plated white pieces also require the EU nickel declaration on the post and backings, which we include as standard on every white-metal batch.
Mixed sizes and mixed finishes
A Tier 2 batch of 5 units can be split across finger sizes US 5 to US 9 in half-size increments, but the metal finish (polished, brushed, rhodium) must be the same across the batch. Mixing finishes requires two separate polishing runs and doubles the finishing labor. If a buyer wants a polished and a brushed version, we quote two Tier 1 jobs rather than one Tier 2.
What is the minimum order for a truly one-off piece?
1 unit. We cast single pieces for engagement commissions, sample lines and photography. The setup fee is higher but there is no stock commitment.
Can I split a batch across multiple designs?
No. A batch is one design across sizes. Splitting designs across one flask defeats the setup-cost saving and is quoted as separate Tier 1 jobs.
How much does the unit price drop at MOQ 20?
Roughly 35 to 45% below the Tier 1 price on the same design, after the CAD fee is absorbed. The drop flattens after 30 units because the casting labor per piece no longer changes.
Do you hold tooling or CAD files for reorders?
Yes. Approved CAD files are archived against your buyer account. A reorder in a different size is a parameter change and ships in 14 to 18 days. See the sketch-to-CAD article for how the archive works.
What is the fastest a Tier 2 batch can ship?
Rush Tier 2 at a 30% surcharge ships in 18 to 22 working days. We cannot rush the furnace cooling, which is why even rush Tier 2 cannot beat Tier 1 rush on calendar days.
Send us your design, the number of sizes and the target delivery date. We will return a tiered quote showing the unit price at MOQ 1, 5 and 20 within two working days. If you are still deciding on the setting style, that choice does not affect the tier pricing, only the per-unit setting labor. Request a batch quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is moissanite a good diamond alternative for retail buyers?
Yes for price-sensitive customers who want brilliance and hardness. Moissanite ranks 9.25 on the Mohs scale, holds up to daily wear and costs a fraction of a natural diamond of the same size, so it resells fast in bridal and fashion lines.
What is the minimum order for wholesale moissanite?
MOQ starts at 50 pieces per design for stock items. Custom cuts and private-label settings usually start at 100–300 pieces depending on the mold.
Do you provide certificates with moissanite stones?
Yes. Every parcel ships with GRA or IGI documentation listing carat weight, color grade and cut. We recommend passing the certificate to your end customer for trust.
How long does sample and bulk production take?
Samples ship in 3–5 days. Bulk runs take 15–20 days under 500 pieces, and 25–30 days for custom work.
