Can You Mix Styles to Meet the MOQ?
Updated November 2026 · 4 min read · Reviewed by the VenusGem production team
Short answer: it depends on the material. Freshwater pearl and natural stone styles can be combined in one order to reach the minimum order quantity, which is 10–20 pcs per style. Stainless steel styles start at 30 pcs per style and cannot be combined with other styles. Brass and 925 sterling silver are also excluded from combining. If you change an existing design, the MOQ is recalculated.
The rules by material
| Material | MOQ per style | Can styles be combined? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Freshwater pearl | 10–20 pcs | Yes | Combinable with other pearl or natural stone styles |
| Natural stone | 10–20 pcs | Yes | Same production process as pearl styles |
| Stainless steel | 30 pcs | No | Unit price is noticeably higher at 30–100 pcs than at 300+ pcs |
| Brass | Quoted per design | No | Confirmed when we review your design list |
| 925 sterling silver | Quoted per design | No | Confirmed when we review your design list |
These are production rules, not sales targets. The reason some materials can be combined and others cannot is explained below.
What "combining styles" actually means
Combining means placing several different styles in one order so that the order as a whole meets the MOQ, instead of ordering the full quantity in a single style. For example, a buyer who needs four pearl bracelet designs can place them together rather than ordering 20 pcs of one design.
It does not mean any two products can be grouped. In practice the styles need to belong to the same material family and go through a comparable process. Styles with many separate components, or styles that mix several materials, are usually not suitable for combining — the extra components make the batch harder to schedule and to inspect.
How we confirm it
Send us the list of styles and quantities. We check which styles can be grouped and reply with the adjusted MOQ per style. The final grouping is confirmed before sampling, and it is written on the quotation.
Why stainless steel, brass and silver styles cannot be combined
Metal styles carry per-design setup work: tooling, polishing and plating are prepared per design, and plating is processed in batches per design. Grouping different metal designs does not remove that setup, so the MOQ stays per style.
Stainless steel also has a clear price step. A 30 pcs order is priced per piece considerably higher than a 300+ pcs order, because machine time and material purchasing are less efficient at small volume. That is why a 30 pcs stainless steel order is accepted but is not the cheapest way to buy it.
If you change an existing design, the MOQ is recalculated
Changing colour, size or logo on an existing design counts as a new production setup, so the MOQ is recalculated for that style. This applies even when the change looks small.
- Design changes are accepted before the design is confirmed — that is, before sampling starts or before the bulk order is placed.
- You can request changes up to three rounds while the design is still being confirmed.
- After you confirm the design, changes are no longer accepted, because tooling and material purchasing have already started.
Does the MOQ include samples?
No. Sampling is quoted separately, and the sampling fee depends on the material and the complexity of the design. When the bulk order reaches the MOQ for that style, the sampling fee is credited against the order. The exact fee is confirmed per design before sampling starts.
What about shipping and lead time at low volume?
Shipping is charged by actual weight, not by an estimated flat rate. We normally ship by air; most destinations are delivered in 7–12 days, and some regions take longer. Small orders are not penalised on shipping — the freight is calculated the same way as for large orders.
How to check your own case
- List each style with its material and the quantity you need.
- Mark the styles you would like to group into one order.
- Send the list through the custom project form — we reply with the confirmed MOQ per style and the price breakdown.
Questions buyers ask
Can I mix pearl and natural stone styles in one order?
Yes. Both are bead-strung products with a comparable process, so they can be grouped to meet the MOQ. The combined quantity is what counts, not the quantity per style.
Can I combine stainless steel with pearl styles?
No. Stainless steel is produced with per-design tooling and plating, so the MOQ applies per stainless steel style (30 pcs). It cannot be grouped with pearl or natural stone styles.
Does combining styles change the unit price?
Unit prices are quoted per style. Combining affects whether the order meets the MOQ, not the unit price by itself. We send the full price breakdown for your list so you can see each line.
What if my quantity is below the MOQ?
We reply with the closest option: grouping with a compatible style, adjusting the quantity, or, for stainless steel, moving up to the 30 pcs minimum per style.
Can I change the design after the sampling fee is paid?
Yes, until the design is confirmed — up to three rounds of revisions. Once you confirm the design, changes are no longer possible because tooling and materials are already committed.
Not sure which of your styles can be grouped?
Send your design list and quantities. We will tell you which styles can be combined, what the MOQ is for each, and what the sampling fee would be — no obligation.
Check my design list
