Jewellery CAD and rendering guides
54 practical answers for manufacturers, retailers and designers, from the studio that builds the models.
Hire a Jewellery Render Freelancer for Catalogue-Quality Images
How to hire a freelance jewellery render artist in India: what you get, how it works, and what each style costs.
Read the guide ›BusinessHire a Jewellery CAD Freelancer Who Knows Casting
How to hire a freelance jewellery CAD designer in India: what you get, how it works, and what it costs per design.
Read the guide ›BasicsWhat Is Jewellery CAD? A Simple Guide for Jewellers
Jewellery CAD means building a piece as an exact 3D model before anything is cast. Here is how it works, step by step.
Read the guide ›SoftwareRhino 3D vs Matrix for Jewellery Design: Which to Use?
Matrix runs inside Rhino 3D, so it is less a rivalry than a partnership. Here is what each does best.
Read the guide ›PricingHow Much Does Jewellery CAD Design Cost? Price Guide
Jewellery CAD prices depend on the piece and how complex it is. Here is what changes the cost and what our rates look like.
Read the guide ›RenderingKeyShot vs AI Renders for Jewellery: When to Use Each
KeyShot shows your real CAD model. AI creates quick concept images. Here is when each one is the right tool.
Read the guide ›ProductionCasting-Ready Jewellery CAD Checklist for Manufacturers
A model that looks good on screen can still fail at casting. Use this checklist before you send a file to your caster.
Read the guide ›GuidesHow to Write a Jewellery Design Brief for a CAD Designer
A clear brief saves days of back and forth. Here is what to include, with a template you can copy.
Read the guide ›BasicsJewellery CAD vs Hand-Carved Wax: Which Is Better?
Both methods make a model for casting. Here is how they compare on accuracy, cost and repeat orders.
Read the guide ›ProductionWhat Is Lost-Wax Casting? A Step-by-Step Guide
Lost-wax casting turns a wax or printed model into metal. Here are the steps, in plain language.
Read the guide ›ProductionJewellery 3D Printing Explained: Wax, Resin and Casting
3D printers turn a CAD file into a castable model. Here is how that fits into jewellery production.
Read the guide ›BasicsJewellery CAD File Formats Explained: 3DM, STL, STEP
A short guide to .3dm, .stl, .step and .obj files, and which one to use for what.
Read the guide ›SoftwareParametric Jewellery Design: Why It Saves Time
Change one number and the whole design updates. That is the idea behind parametric jewellery design.
Read the guide ›BasicsJewellery CAD for Beginners: What to Learn First
Starting out? Here is what to learn first, and when hiring a CAD designer is the faster choice.
Read the guide ›GuidesHow Long Does Jewellery CAD Take? What Affects It
There is no single answer. Here is what makes a CAD model quicker or slower.
Read the guide ›GuidesCustom Jewellery Workflow: From Sketch to Finished Piece
Seven stages take an idea from a sketch to a finished piece. Here is who does what.
Read the guide ›RingsHow to Design an Engagement Ring in CAD
From stone to setting to shank, here is how an engagement ring comes together in CAD.
Read the guide ›RingsSolitaire Ring Settings Explained: Prong, Bezel, Tension
Prong, bezel or tension? Here is how the main solitaire settings compare.
Read the guide ›RingsHidden Halo Ring Design: What It Is and How It's Built
A hidden halo adds sparkle under the main stone without changing the top view.
Read the guide ›RingsRing Shank Styles Explained: Cathedral, Split, Knife-Edge
The shank is the band of the ring. Here is how the main styles differ in look and comfort.
Read the guide ›RingsRing Size to Inner Diameter Chart for Jewellery CAD
CAD needs the inner diameter in millimetres. Here is a quick chart for common ring sizes.
Read the guide ›RingsProng Styles Explained: Four, Six, Claw and Tab
Prongs hold the stone. Here is how four, six, claw and tab styles differ.
Read the guide ›RingsEternity Band Design Tips: Full, Half and Stone Size
Stones all the way round or only part-way? Here are the main decisions for an eternity band.
Read the guide ›RingsWedding Band and Engagement Ring: Getting the Fit Right
A wedding band should sit neatly next to the engagement ring. Here is how to plan it in CAD.
Read the guide ›RingsMen's Ring Design: Width, Comfort and Strength
Men's rings call for different choices on width, thickness and finish. Here is what to plan.
Read the guide ›StonesStone Shapes and How They Change a CAD Model
Each stone shape needs its own seat and prongs. Here is what changes in the model.
Read the guide ›StonesPavé vs Micro-Pavé vs Channel Setting Explained
Three common ways to set many small stones. Here is how they differ in look, cost and wear.
Read the guide ›StonesHow Stone Seats Are Modelled in Jewellery CAD
The seat is the cut-out that holds each stone. Here is what makes a good one.
Read the guide ›StonesCarat Weight vs Millimetre Size: Why CAD Uses mm
Carat is weight, not size. CAD needs millimetres. Here is the link between them.
Read the guide ›StonesLab-Grown vs Natural Diamond: Does It Change the CAD Model?
The setting does not change, but the details around it can. Here is what to check.
Read the guide ›StonesBezel Setting Design Guide: Full, Half and Wall Thickness
A bezel holds the stone with a rim of metal. Here is how to design one that lasts.
Read the guide ›StonesAccent Stones and Side Stone Layout in Jewellery CAD
Side stones frame the centre stone. Here is how to plan their size, spacing and symmetry.
Read the guide ›StonesCalibrated vs Freesize Stones: What It Means for CAD
Standard sizes or variable sizes? It decides how the seats are built.
Read the guide ›PiecesEarring Design in CAD: Studs, Drops and Hoops
Studs, drops and hoops each have different needs. Here is what to plan in CAD.
Read the guide ›PiecesPendant Design: Bails, Loops and Chain Fit
The bail decides how a pendant hangs and which chains fit. Here is how to plan it.
Read the guide ›PiecesBracelet Design: Flexibility, Links and Clasps
A bracelet must flex, fasten and stay on. Here is what to plan in CAD.
Read the guide ›PiecesNecklace Design: Lengths, Links and Balance
Length, links and weight decide how a necklace looks and feels. Here is what to plan.
Read the guide ›PiecesBangle Design: Oval vs Round, Hinged vs Solid
Round or oval, hinged or solid? Here is how to plan a bangle that fits the hand.
Read the guide ›RenderingHow Photorealistic Jewellery Rendering Works
A render looks like a photo because software simulates real light. Here is how.
Read the guide ›RenderingWhite, Rose and Yellow Gold Renders: Show Every Colour
One design, three colours. Here is why showing each one helps you sell.
Read the guide ›RenderingRender Angles Every Jewellery Listing Needs
Four angles tell the whole story of a piece. Here is why each one matters.
Read the guide ›RenderingJewellery Product Images for E-Commerce: Size and Format
Size, format and background all affect how your listings look and load.
Read the guide ›Rendering360° Jewellery Views: How They Work and Why They Help
Let buyers turn the piece. Here is how a 360° view works and where it helps.
Read the guide ›RenderingJewellery Animation Videos for Social Media
A short film can show how a piece is built and how it catches the light. Here is how to use one.
Read the guide ›RenderingOn-Body Jewellery Images: Showing Scale and Wear
Buyers want to see how a piece looks when worn. On-body images answer that.
Read the guide ›RenderingCommon AI Jewellery Render Mistakes to Watch For
AI renders look great, but they can quietly change your design. Here is what to check.
Read the guide ›RenderingHow to Choose a Jewellery Rendering Studio
Samples, formats, revisions and price: here are the questions that matter.
Read the guide ›BusinessMade-to-Order Jewellery with CAD and Renders
Show renders, take the order, then make the piece. Here is how made-to-order works.
Read the guide ›BusinessHow Retailers Add New Designs Without Holding Stock
Grow your range without buying stock. Here is how retailers use CAD and renders.
Read the guide ›BusinessHow to Price a Custom Jewellery Piece
Add up every cost, then add your margin. Here is the breakdown.
Read the guide ›BusinessHow to Protect Your Jewellery Designs When Sharing Files
Sharing a design always carries some risk. Here are practical ways to reduce it.
Read the guide ›BusinessHow to Build a Jewellery Line Sheet with Renders
A line sheet shows buyers your range at a glance. Here is how to build one with renders.
Read the guide ›ProductionWhy Jewellery Castings Fail and How CAD Can Prevent It
Many casting problems start in the model. Here are the usual causes and fixes.
Read the guide ›Production14k vs 18k vs Platinum for Ring Settings
The metal affects strength, weight and look. Here is how 14k, 18k and platinum compare.
Read the guide ›ProductionHallmark and Engraving Space in Jewellery CAD
Marks and engraving need room. Here is how to plan space for them in the model.
Read the guide ›ProductionFinal Model Check Before Printing: A Practical List
A few minutes of checking can save a failed print. Here is a practical list.
Read the guide ›