Design
We apply the latest CAD design and 3D scanning technology to turn your jewellery idea into a visual design.
About CAD Design
We offer support throughout the design process from your initial brief through to casting. We can produce one-off bespoke designs for 3D printing and direct casting, as well as designs suitable for moulding and high-volume production.
Our experienced design team produce high quality CAD files to meet specific requirements by working to a detailed design brief provided by the customer.
As part of this service, you can view rendered images, technical drawings, and resin prototypes of your design prior to casting.
Our Design Process
Our experienced team of CAD designers use the latest computer-aided-design software to make your designs come to life! We use MatrixGold to create contemporary and traditional jewellery designs, and ZBrush modelling software to create more organic and textured designs.
This advanced software is also used to create photo-realistic renders and technical drawings for you to share with your customers.
MatrixGold CAD software is the industry standard and enables us to achieve incredibly detailed and accurate designs. MatrixGold is used to create everything from traditional wedding rings through to more complex and contemporary stone set pieces.
We use MatrixGold to produce beautiful renders which display a photo-realistic representation of your design with your chosen metal and stone colours.
Zbrush is a digital sculpting program traditionally used by the gaming and animation industry to create organic and often life-like models.
We use ZBrush to create stunning jewellery designs including animals and
floral pieces, which would otherwise be difficult or impossible to create in
more traditional jewellery design software.
Get In Touch
Contact us today, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you want to learn more about our services or are looking for casting advice, we’re always happy to help.
Included in the CAD Design Quote
Please see below for the style of renders you will receive for your design order.
Please be aware there will be additional charges for 3D prints, viewing resins, mouldable resins, and 3D scans, however we will always quote for these other services before proceeding with the design work.
Metal Render
You will receive a high-quality render featuring your chosen metal colour and stones.
This is great for sharing with your customers to help them visualise the final design.
Technical Drawing
You will receive a technical drawing showing your requested measurements, including ring size, shank depth etc.
We also include the stones in this drawing along with the sizes and quantities.
Tech White Render
You will receive a tech white render displaying the design in a matte-white finish.
This render shows the design clearly from all angles, and without the stones so you can see all areas and inside each setting.
Our renders are produced from the manufacturing file with claws unset. If you would like a finished stone set render, please get in touch for further information.
3D Scanning
Using our high-resolution 3D scanner, we can scan engagement rings to produce incredibly accurate fitted wedding bands.
We can also scan small items such as metal masters and wax models to replicate or rescale.
3D scanning charges start from £15 and are dependent on the size and complexity of the item being scanned.
Please get in touch if you would like more information about our 3D scanning service.
Design FAQ
Our CAD design charges start from £40 per hour.
We ask for as much information as possible including the ring size, full dimensions, stone sizes, target weight, metal, as well as sketches or photos of your design idea. Please get in touch if you would like us to send you a design quote form, or you can access this via the quote link on our website.
Yes, you will receive a metal render, a tech white render, and a technical drawing for you to show your customer. These 3 renders are included in the hourly rate, however additional renders will incur charges of approx. £5 per render.
Our standard lead time is 5 to 10 working days, however this can increase to 10 to 14 working days during busy periods such as Christmas. If you have a deadline, please let us know this when you submit your enquiry.
Currently we do not provide consultations, however we are happy to advise on some design details.
We ask that you send us a finalised design brief with as much information as possible.
We will always send a quote for the work before proceeding. The quote will include the cad design and any other services required such as 3D printing, 3D scanning and moulding.
We are unable to provide you with the final metal charges at this stage as we will not know the weight of the design until the CAD file has been created.
Slight amendments can often be included in the initial quote however substantial changes are charged a fee from £10 upwards. We will always quote for the amendment before proceeding.
Our current lead time for 3D printing and casting is 5 to 7 working days, however many items are processed much quicker depending on the metal required.
Yes, if you can send us the stones that would be preferable as we are then able to check the measurements and check the stones in the castings before posting them out to you.
Unfortunately, we do not supply gemstones or have a stone setting service at JewelCast.
We can provide non-castable 3D printed resins in a light grey material to be used as 3D models to show customers. The resins are also used to help produce accurate fitted wedding rings, and to check designs before proceeding with casting in precious metal. Viewing resin charges start from £15 for rings.
No, the resin is made from a non-castable material. Once paid for the resin is yours to keep and a new 3D print will be processed for direct casting. Please be aware there are additional charges for the 3D prints for direct casting which will be included in the original quote.
We are happy to provide the design work and renders only. Please get in touch for more information about our render service.
Unfortunately, our services are available to jewellery trade only. You must be registered as a sole trader, a limited company, or be able to provide evidence of industry experience for us to set up your account.
We do work with students! Students receive a 10% discount on all metals, and we ask you send us an image of your student ID to confirm this. Once your student ID expires, we will remove the discount from your account.
If the design work is complete and you need to cancel the order, the original quote for the design work and/or 3D scanning would be payable, unless agreed otherwise.
Your castings will be sent out to you as raw and unfinished with the sprue cut back, but not filed away completely. Currently we do not provide any polishing or finishing services.
Yes, JewelCast offers a 48-hour hallmarking service at Birmingham Assay Office. Items can be marked with the JewelCast lettering ‘JC’ or alternatively we can stamp with your own sponsor mark.
For all new customers we ask that you pay a deposit of £100 (£120 incl. VAT). Once this is paid, we can proceed with your design order. This deposit amount will be deducted from your final invoice once the order is complete.
Marketing renders we've created
Get In Touch
Contact us today, we’d love to hear from you. Whether you want to learn more about our services or are looking for casting advice, we’re always happy to help.
