Jewelry 3D Printing Services 2025
From CAD to Carat — JLYPT’s Complete Process Guide
Introduction
Jewelry is no longer limited by the dexterity of a bench jeweler’s hand. With high-resolution stereolithography (SLA), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), and precision wax-casting workflows, JLYPT turns digital dreams into wearable art in 48 hours. Our ISO 22196-certified lab produces 3,000+ jewelry patterns monthly—engagement rings, signet pendants, micro-pavé clasps—in 18 k gold, platinum, or bio-compatible resin. This guide delivers the material datasheets, design-for-casting rules, regulatory checklists, and three never-published case studies that saved designers 60 % in gold loss and 4 weeks of bench time.
Jewelry is no longer limited by the dexterity of a bench jeweler’s hand. With high-resolution stereolithography (SLA), direct metal laser sintering (DMLS), and precision wax-casting workflows, JLYPT turns digital dreams into wearable art in 48 hours. Our ISO 22196-certified lab produces 3,000+ jewelry patterns monthly—engagement rings, signet pendants, micro-pavé clasps—in 18 k gold, platinum, or bio-compatible resin. This guide delivers the material datasheets, design-for-casting rules, regulatory checklists, and three never-published case studies that saved designers 60 % in gold loss and 4 weeks of bench time.
Table 1 — Jewelry 3D Printing Process Matrix
| Tech | Layer (µm) | Surface Ra (µm) | Material | Cast Loss (%) | Turnaround |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLA Castable Wax | 25 | 0.5 | ProJet 2500W | 0.3 | 24 h |
| SLA Castable Resin | 50 | 1.2 | Next GP-Cast | 0.5 | 36 h |
| DMLS 18k Gold | 30 | 3.0 | Cookson ALNP000 | 0 | 72 h |
| MJP Wax | 16 | 0.4 | Solidscape Model | 0.2 | 24 h |
Table 2 — Precious-Metal DMLS Powder Properties
| Alloy | Au % | Density (g/cm³) | Hardness HV | Cast Loss (%) | Cert |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18k Yellow | 75 | 15.6 | 125 | 0 | ISO 1921 |
| 14k White | 58.5 | 14.2 | 140 | 0 | ISO 1921 |
| Pt950 | 95 | 21.4 | 80 | 0 | ASTM B562 |
Section 1 — Workflow Overview
1.1 Design → CAD → Print Pattern
• RhinoGold or MatrixGold → STL → 50 µm layers → burnout-ready pattern.
• RhinoGold or MatrixGold → STL → 50 µm layers → burnout-ready pattern.
1.2 Investment Casting Pathway
• 3D-printed wax/resin → tree assembly → ceramic shell → 750 °C burnout → 1,050 °C pour → finish.
• 3D-printed wax/resin → tree assembly → ceramic shell → 750 °C burnout → 1,050 °C pour → finish.
1.3 Direct Metal Pathway (DMLS)
• DMLS 18k powder → support removal → tumbling → rhodium plate → final polish.
• DMLS 18k powder → support removal → tumbling → rhodium plate → final polish.
Section 2 — Design for Jewelry (DfJ)
2.1 Wall Thickness Rules
• Wax patterns: min 0.4 mm for gold, 0.6 mm for platinum.
• DMLS: min 0.25 mm for 18k, 0.35 mm for Pt950.
• Wax patterns: min 0.4 mm for gold, 0.6 mm for platinum.
• DMLS: min 0.25 mm for 18k, 0.35 mm for Pt950.
2.2 Sprue & Gate Design
• Sprue diameter ≥ 2.5 × thickest section; gate angle 45° to reduce turbulence.
• Sprue diameter ≥ 2.5 × thickest section; gate angle 45° to reduce turbulence.
2.3 Micro-Setting Tolerances
• Stone seat diameter +0.05 mm oversize for pavé setting.
• Stone seat diameter +0.05 mm oversize for pavé setting.
Section 3 — Material Deep-Dive
3.1 Castable Wax (Solidscape)
• Ash < 0.01 %, expansion < 0.2 % at 100 °C.
• Burnout ramp: 2 °C/min to 350 °C, hold 60 min.
• Ash < 0.01 %, expansion < 0.2 % at 100 °C.
• Burnout ramp: 2 °C/min to 350 °C, hold 60 min.
3.2 Castable Resin (Next GP-Cast)
• Linear shrink 0.6 %, supports dissolve in 40 °C water.
• Linear shrink 0.6 %, supports dissolve in 40 °C water.
3.3 DMLS 18k Gold
• Laser power 200 W, layer 30 µm, argon atmosphere 0.1 % O₂.
• Laser power 200 W, layer 30 µm, argon atmosphere 0.1 % O₂.
Section 4 — Regulatory & Hallmarking
| Region | Hallmark | Laser Engrave | Minimum Au % | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| USA | 18k | Yes | 75 | FTC compliant |
| EU | 750 | Yes | 75 | CEN standard |
| UK | 750 | Yes | 75 | Assay Office |
Section 5 — Post-Processing & Finishing
| Step | Time (min) | Ra (µm) | Cert Add-on |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tumbling | 30 | 0.5 | Included |
| Electro-polish | 5 | 0.1 | $0.08/g |
| Rhodium Plate | 2 | — | $0.05/g |
| Laser Engrave | 1 | — | $0.02/char |
Section 6 — Case Studies
Case 1 — Micro-Pavé Engagement Ring
Client: Bespoke jeweler
Challenge: 0.8 mm band, 80 × 1.1 mm diamonds, 7-day deadline.
Solution: SLA wax pattern, 25 µm layers, cast in 18k, laser seat.
Result: 0.05 mm seat tolerance, 0 % stone loss, 5 days vs 3 weeks hand-carve.
Client: Bespoke jeweler
Challenge: 0.8 mm band, 80 × 1.1 mm diamonds, 7-day deadline.
Solution: SLA wax pattern, 25 µm layers, cast in 18k, laser seat.
Result: 0.05 mm seat tolerance, 0 % stone loss, 5 days vs 3 weeks hand-carve.
Case 2 — Art-Deco Pendant
Client: Museum shop
Challenge: 200 pieces, sterling silver, 2-week turnaround.
Solution: MJP wax, tree-assembly, lost-wax batch cast.
Yield: 98 % usable parts, 30 % gold loss reduction.
Client: Museum shop
Challenge: 200 pieces, sterling silver, 2-week turnaround.
Solution: MJP wax, tree-assembly, lost-wax batch cast.
Yield: 98 % usable parts, 30 % gold loss reduction.
Case 3 — Flexible Watch Strap
Client: Luxury brand
Challenge: TPU 95 A strap, integrated clasp, 500 pcs.
Solution: SLS TPU, dye-sublimation color, ultrasonic weld.
Fatigue: 20,000 bend cycles passed.
Client: Luxury brand
Challenge: TPU 95 A strap, integrated clasp, 500 pcs.
Solution: SLS TPU, dye-sublimation color, ultrasonic weld.
Fatigue: 20,000 bend cycles passed.
Section 7 — Cost & ROI
| Method | Wax/Resin ($) | Casting ($) | Finish ($) | Total ($/g) | Lead |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SLA Wax | 0.30 | 0.80 | 0.10 | 1.20 | 24 h |
| DMLS 18k | — | — | 0.15 | 1.05 | 72 h |
| Hand-Carve | 2.00 | 0.80 | 0.25 | 3.05 | 21 days |
Section 8 — Sustainability
• Recycled 18k powder reuse 95 % after filtration.
• Wax patterns biodegradable.
• Closed-loop solvent recovery 90 %.
• Wax patterns biodegradable.
• Closed-loop solvent recovery 90 %.
Section 9 — Future Outlook
• 8 K resin printers → pixel size 16 µm.
• AI gemstone layout optimization.
• Blockchain provenance engraving.
• AI gemstone layout optimization.
• Blockchain provenance engraving.
Ready to sparkle? Upload your design to https://www.jlypt.com/rapid-3d-printing-services/ and receive a quote, castability report, and hallmark certificate within 12 hours.
