Every custom design tells a story. It is the story of taking a raw concept and creating a piece that exceeds everyone’s expectations. Once in a while, a special story emerges from a custom design. This is such a story. It illustrates the evolution of a complex concept into a true masterpiece. The story also exemplifies the importance of the teamwork ethic that occurs when the CAD artist and the retail jeweler put their respective talents together to solve issues of design, structure, assembly ease, stone setting issues, and the necessary finishing techniques that are required to bring the beauty of the design to light.

In this example, one of our favorite customers, David Liska of Custom Bridal Jewelers in Milwaukee, WI., had a client that was interested in having something made that was totally different, unique and with lots of “pizzazz”. David came up with a very intricate and distinctive concept and sent the sketch to us for creation. The design called for numerous stone sizes, types and colors, as well as being comprised of several different metals types. Therefore, the design would be created with many separate parts. We had to create a model that would allow for the easiest and most effect method for David to assemble. Each part needed the ability to “snap” into place to alleviate any problems associated with trying to solder small elements to larger elements of the design. Consideration to the degree of polishing for each part, prior to and after assembly, was a prime focus as well.

There were several revisions necessitated by the overall complexity of this concept. That closely knit relationship between our company of CAD artists and David at Custom Bridal was easily handled back and forth by emailing series of working renderings depicting solutions to structural and aesthetic issues that arose. On a ring as elaborate as this design, we sent work in progress , plastic resin models to David so that he could visualize our suggestions in a physical, scale form. As the process evolved, the design took on a life of its own.

With all the technical issues and visual elements solved and approved, we were able to produce the prototype models and cast the various parts in the desired metals. This one design was comprised of a palladium base and bezel, 18K rose gold halo, and 18K royal gold side bezels. We were very proud of the result and just how practical we had made it for the jeweler to assemble, set and polish. In addition, we were given permission to utilize this piece in a two page article written about “Detail Work” in the January 2008 issue of MJSA Journal. The story of this design and its creation was the highlight article in that issue dedicated to “Dream Makers, Turning Design Ideas into Reality with CAD/CAM”.

It is ironic how CAD artists working on multiple projects can sometimes overlook the beauty of a piece of jewelry due to being involved in the details. Only upon seeing a finished product and hearing of the joy of the recipient, do we actually experience the elation that we have helped create through our efforts. As this particular piece was in progress, we didn’t anticipate just how lovely the design would end up and, in fact, we had all been skeptical of the result. In the end, David was extremely pleased with our work and he did an excellent job with the assembly, stone setting and finish which resulted in a very happy client.

While this story is that of turning a complex process into a workable, beautiful and totally unique item, the reality is that most requests for CAD work is much less involved. The concept of working closely together as CAD artist and retailer that this story illustrates is a key to success in general. Through the constant evolution of CAD software and rapid prototyping equipment, the custom process runs very smoothly, efficiently and results in a level of satisfaction that was not possible a few short years ago. So let your imagination run wild and keep pushing the envelope on custom design and, as your CAD/CAM service bureau, we will work closely with you in the pursuit of moving from conception to perfection!

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Today’s incredible rendering software creates excitement within a client when they see their custom design for the first time. It never fails; customers believe that they are viewing a photograph of a finished item, only to discover that it is an attractive virtual creation. Besides the obvious “WOW” factor that showing a series of renderings brings to your customers, you can also utilize your catalog of renderings as a tool to help get the word out that your store is an expert in Custom Design

This simple concept can provide your store a tremendous competitive advantage over competitors. Many CAD service bureaus take extra time and effort to create a series of beautiful 3D photo-realistic renderings for the jeweler and the client to review prior to the actual prototyping of the physical model. Since most renderings can be attached as an easy to open .jpg format, the result is a simple process showing a model to the client. There are many inexpensive, “photo only” printers which produce eye-catching pictures on 4 X 6 glossy paper and others which print in larger sizes as well.

Why not utilize each rendering series to provide a simple, yet elegant, presentation album gift for your client when they arrive to pick up a finished piece? With the use of a picture editing software, such as Photoshop, you can also enhance any rendering by adding your store logo to each image.

What does offering a complimentary package like the “Designed Just For You” album say about your business and its relationship with your customers? It certainly shows how proud you are to present beautiful custom jewelry along with a small token of appreciation. This, in turn, creates a scenario in which the already ecstatic customer proudly displays their album to family, friends, coworkers, etc. Having your store logo on the album cover and each printed rendering will result in unparalleled “word of mouth” endorsements which have great potential impact on prospective new clientele.

A quality CAD service bureau puts in the effort to create a series of renderings that is worthy of inclusion into a gift album. They should include several “glory” shots along with views from different reference points. The latest version of rendering software has many choices of resolution, quality and lighting conditions, as well as different props that help enhance the result of the rendering. If your current service provider is not taking the time to provide your store with this incredibly useful sales tool, you must insist that they do.

In addition to providing the album for your client, you should proudly display a rendering each of the designs created by your store on a wall or other area within your Custom Design Center. This will create a library of custom designs that customers can readily view. Use your imagination when creating your custom design renderings wall or area as it will become a focal point within your store. Utilizing high quality renderings in this manner will bring additional interest to clients who are “just browsing,” as well as those waiting for repairs. There is nothing more interesting to clients than seeing how Custom Design can work for them. Building a story board with your renderings in conjunction with the use of “Designed Just For You” albums will help your custom design business to flourish and increase your profits, customer base and overall reputation as “the place for custom design.”

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What to do?

Make a mold of an old ring to reproduce it or use the CAD system to make a model?

We’ve all been there at one time or another. A client comes in with an heirloom ring that has years of wear and tear and they want you to make a new one for them exactly like the original.

CAD/CAM technology has brought custom jewelry design to anyone willing to add this incredible tool to their sales strategy. But for many, the expense of the software and the very long learning curve necessary for approaching mediocrity, is daunting. In addition, how many retailers are willing to use their precious resources for the huge cost of a quality rapid prototyping system and the work to maintain it?

These alone are reasons to rely upon an experienced service bureau for your CAD/CAM needs.

But how does one ensure a smooth transmittal of expectations when dealing with some of today’s more complex custom designs? That is the topic of today’s blog. There are quite a few hints and techniques that a retailer can employ to make the entire process run like clockwork. Some of the information must come directly from the customers so that they are also part of the overall development of their designs. The remaining majority of specifications are then conveyed by the retailer to the custom service bureau as the initial step in the process.

Luckily, there is no need for great artistic talent to express a basic concept of the project to the CAD artist. With a rough hand sketch, a photograph, a magazine clipping, or even some verbal descriptions, an experienced CAD service bureau will understand the general scope of the project and communicate any questions regarding the design. Once the general understanding is relayed, dimensions and project needs are specified to avoid confusion, time delays or a design that was not what the client had envisioned. Project Needs which must be provided include:

Dimensions Rings require a finger size and any known specific measurements or constraints such as width, height, thicknesses, etc. Some measurements may not be critical for certain projects since an experienced jewelry CAD artist understands proper proportions for a visually pleasing and structurally proper design. Other optional specifications may also include shank shape (rounded profile, flat profile, Euro-shank, etc.)

Metal types Regardless of who will ultimately cast the project, this is necessary for the series of photorealistic renderings depicting the design as well as determining the structural needs for constructing the model.

Stone types Shapes, sizes and colors are important for the overall design creation and rendering processes.

The important focus point is that, through providing a relatively minimal amount of specifications, the project can be off to a flying start.

Fact: Did you know that the CAD process can actually approximate a final metal weight prior to being physically prototyped or cast? This also applies to stone weights. Knowing approximated weights offers a retailer the ability to estimate costs and make changes to suit a budget.

The beauty of the CAD process is that, when following these few and easy guidelines, the efforts saved provide ample time for adjustment, tweaking and bringing the design to the point where the client is completely satisfied. This makes for happy customers, happy retailers and happy service bureaus.

A general word of caution: Reputable CAD/CAM service bureaus, within the jewelry industry, will respect the intellectual property of the “name brand”, “designer community”, and will not create duplicates of such works. As such, trustworthy service bureaus will only utilize copyrighted designs as inspiration to offer their clients the ability to create a custom piece which expresses the flavor and feel of the brand name item being requested. A service bureau with integrity will opt to turn down requests to create an exact duplicate of a copyrighted design. Exact duplications are not acceptable custom projects. This should be carefully explained to the consumer whenever a retailer is faced with such a request.