How do I limit quantity by one of my multiple variants?

Store Design

Topic summary

Issue: A product (necklace) has three options—Stone (limited stock: 5), Chain length, and Metal finish (unlimited). Shopify variants count each option combination as separate inventory, inflating available quantity (e.g., showing 30 instead of 5). The merchant needs inventory limited by Stone while letting customers choose the other options.

Proposed solutions:

  • Link inventory across variants sharing the same Stone using a third-party app (Fusion Inventory). This synchronizes stock so all variants with the same Stone draw from a single pool. App setup resources were provided. Cost concern raised ($30/month).
  • Alternative workflow via another app (Easify Product Options): Make the main product track only the Stone as the sole variant (with per-stone quantities). Add Chain length and Metal finish as non-inventory-tracked custom options via the app (various display types supported).

Status and outcomes:

  • No native Shopify feature or free solution was provided in the thread.
  • Suggestions depend on third-party apps; the merchant questioned ongoing cost.
  • Discussion remains open with no confirmed resolution.
Summarized with AI on December 22. AI used: gpt-5.
1

I am selling a necklace that can be customized by metal finish and chain length, as well as stone selection. While the metal finish and chain length are unlimited options, I only have 5 stones to select from. So technically, I have 5 quantity available, that the customer can then customize which chain length and metal finish they want.

The way variables are set up, it counts each variable as a single item; so it’s showing that I have 30 quantity available because there are three variables per stone (stone selection, chain length, and metal finish.) how do I set up the product so that it limits the inventory by the stone availability and has the other variables as customizable options?

2

Hi @asterFJ

Sounds like you need to link the inventory of all product variants using the same stone. We have an app called Fusion Inventory which is designed for this exact use case. You can read an overview of how the app works and how to set it up on our help site. It is quite straightforward.

Feel free to try it out and to reach out to me by email if you need any help in setting up the app.

3

Is there not an option that doesn’t cost $30 a month? This seems like it should just be a native feature, considering how common a use case it must be.

4

Hi @asterFJ ,

Here’s an effective solution for your store :hugs: :

  1. Create your main product with just the Stone selection, setting a specific quantity for each stone. You don’t need to add Chain length or Metal finish options to this product.

  2. Install the Easify Product Options app and create a new option set. Include Chain length and Metal finish options, and choose from 26 different display types (like Button, Dropdown, Image Swatch, etc.) to present these options.

  3. Add the option set to your main product.

This way, customers can choose Chain length and Metal finish separately from the main product, while you manage the inventory based on the stone options.

If you have any additional requirements or need further assistance, just let me know.