A unique opportunity

After exploring the wider application of 3-D printers over the last year, my brother and I came to understand the jewellery industry is quite unique compared to others in that technology has gone from being solely in the hands of manufacturers and designers to that of the retailer. Many jewellery stores are showcasing the use of CAD/CAM technology as an integral part of their business—I have several customers who present my digital renderings and designs as part of their custom jewellery service. And many are finding that with 3-D printers becoming more affordable, it is now easier to migrate into CAD/CAM. This cannot be said of most other retail industries, as the manufacturing processes are still well behind the scenes.

Jewellery retailers have a unique opportunity to showcase how their business has combined traditional manufacturing methods and cutting-edge technologies. At the moment, I know there is a better-than-average chance many consumers have not seen how CAD/CAM technology works, and so today’s jewellers have a unique opportunity to engage with their clients in a more meaningful way and showcase the old and new artistry of jewellery making.

Hemdeep Patel is head of marketing and product development of Toronto-based HKD Diamond Laboratories Canada, an advanced gemstone and diamond laboratory with locations in Bangkok, Thailand, and Mumbai, India. He also leads Creative CADworks, a 3-D CAD jewellery design and production firm. Holding a B.Sc. in physics and astronomy, Patel is a third-generation member of the jewellery industry, a graduate gemmologist, and vice-president of the Ontario chapter of the GIA alumni association. He can be contacted via e-mail at hemdeep@hkdlab.ca or sales@creativecadworks.ca.