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!