CAD Design Process

At Carin’s Jewellery Design, we believe in using the latest technology to create the jewellery piece of your dreams. CAD (computer aided design) designing makes it possible for jewellers to produce a product with more accuracy and intricacy than ever before. It involves modelling a jewellery piece on a computer with 3-D design software and manufacturing the item directly from the resulting digital model. Using this state-of-the-art process, we are able to provide our clients with a high-quality, bespoke jewellery pieces, designed and created with care and precision.

CONSULTATION AND DESIGN

  • Our CJD designer and goldsmith will meet up with you in our private consultation room at our studio in Bloemfontein.
  • During your appointment, she will discuss your ideas with you, providing you with technical advice and suggestions. 
  • She will also assist you in selecting the perfect gemstones to compliment your design. We have diamonds and moissanites in stock that can be viewed on request.
  • The design process will start with a few informal hand-sketches and once you have decided in which direction we will go; a formal quotation will be sent to you via email.
  • She will start the designing process with hand sketches during your appointment. As soon as you accept the quotation and pay the deposit, we will start the digital design process.
  • Using supporting images and sketches from our consultation, the piece is then modelled using CAD software.

MANUFACTURE 

  • The digital file of the model is then sent to a 3-D printer to produce a physical wax or resin model. 
  • Investment powder, which hardens like plaster when mixed with water, is poured over the 3- D model to form a mould. Once the investment mould is hard and dry, it is placed in a furnace where the wax is melted away completely, leaving an empty cavity in the mould that is the exact shape that the wax model used to be.
  • Molten silver, gold or platinum is then poured into the cavity of the still-hot investment mould, using a vacuum casting machine. 
  • The hot mould and metal casting is quenched in water to cool the casting and release it from the investment mould which disintegrates.
  • The casting is then sent to be cleaned, sanded, polished, and prepared for stone setting. 
  • After the gems are set and a final polish, the item is ready to go to its new owner! 

 

NOTE: This entire process, from our initial appointment to the finished product, can take between 3 – 4 weeks. You will be notified when to collect your beautiful new jewellery item from us!