Technology Services/CAD Jewellery Design

Working alongside bespoke designers and goldsmiths, CAD designers help turn hand-drawn jewellery designs into a three dimensional reality, however complicated or intricate. The role of the CAD designer is somewhere between bespoke jewellery designer and wax carver.

Sitting down with a CAD designer to discuss your idea, marvel at how it is then interpreted into a three dimensional object on a computer screen. The model is viewable from any angle on and any distance from the computer screen, and with the help of 'rendered' snap-shots of the virtual model, you can also see how your idea will look in precious metal and with gemstones before its even been made. Your designer will then help you make any revisions to the piece before it gets cast; such is the fantastically flexible nature of CAD.

Once you are happy with the design, it is transferred onto a rapid-prototyping machine that transforms the image into a wax model, ready for casting. The cast metal piece is then passed on to the goldsmith to be spotlessly finished, polished and have any stones set.

CAD designers are not only required to understand CAD software and CAM hardware, they must also have a good practical understanding of traditional jewellery manufacturing — a rare combination. CAD/CAM makes the impossible possible.