Over the last few years, 3D printing has revolutionized industries of all types, and the jewelry industry is no exception.
Precision and attention to detail are the key aspects of quality jewelry, and the use of 3D printers serves to echo them. Albert’s Diamond Jewelers is at the forefront of incorporating this leading-edge technology into the jewelry-buying experience so they can bring their designs to real life for their clients to see and touch in person.
“In wedding ring jewelry, people today seem to want something different. Nobody wants something someone else has, and everyone wants to tweak a design and make it their own,” said Josh Halpern, President of Albert’s Diamond Jewelers. “We’ve invested in state-of-the-art 3D printing to help in the whole custom design process and experience.”
How it works
First, the team at Alberts creates the custom design using special computer software. They send the 3D design to the client via email so they can review it and make any changes. “You can see it come to life three dimensionally,” Halpern said. “People can spin it around, rotate it, and the customer can make changes and approve it right there.”
Next comes the biggest advantage of 3D printing onsite. Once the design is approved, the Albert’s team can quickly produce a physical object of the piece of jewelry, rather than having to wait on a third party to create the design and ship it back to the store.
“Our custom department is so busy right now, we’re doing off the charts custom rings every single day,” Halpern said. “Once the client has approved the design, we grow the sample model in the 3D printer. They get to feel it, touch it and try it on and make sure it’s to their liking before we make it in metal and diamonds.”
3D printers use a wax-like resin for the printing material. One or more was sprues attach to the model. When the plaster solidifies, it forms the mold for casting the metal, then the mold is the put in an oven and heated for several hours until the wax is burned out. The prototype is then sent to the customer for final approval. Once the design has been approved, Albert’s master jewelers get to work to bring the piece to life.
For more information on Albert’s Diamond Jewelers and their custom department, visit www.albertsjewelers.com.