Instead of buying new jewellery, how about printing it?

The long-standing pillars of jewellery buying—legacy, craftsmanship, and uniqueness, have unfortunately always been viewed in a linear, traditional light. However, in the contemporary landscape, producers and consumers have found another meaning to these pillars of bijouterie selection. Perhaps, unique no longer means only rare stones or age-old settings; it now includes intricate, customised designs that are moulded just for you—sometimes in a matter of hours.

A NEW WAVE OF WEARABLE ART

The name of the process, as literal as it gets—3D printing—does sound a little absurd, right? After all, where does authenticity go? What about the heirloom value rooted in tradition? Or the fact that it should be unique and possibly from the depths of the earth?

While the foray of 3D printing into the jewellery market is a recent one, it has proven its value in innovation long ago by acing manufacturing in automatic and aerospace industries. Regarded as a disruptive technology, 3D printing builds objects layer by layer, adding not just width and height, but also depth, as opposed to the conventional 2D printer. 

While authenticity remains an invariable asset in jewellery making, the inclusion of technology is a revolutionary riot owing to its unparalleled ability to create design possibilities that foster creativity, reducing material waste and accelerating production. Naturally, this genre of jewellery has taken the consumer market by storm.

HELLO! India has spotted pioneers in the field that are copiously redefining customisation with a unique opulence across India and the world. 

TOP BRANDS PIONEERING 3D JEWELLERY

1. Isharya 

Making use of the technique as more than just a gimmick, Isharya has harnessed 3D printing to create designs that possess a voluminous look, yet only weigh similar to that of a feather. Difficult to make through just traditional hand-work, these bold silhouettes are the new favourite charmers. 

2. Melorra 

Crafted to complement the modern wardrobe, Melorra stands as a leading commercial jewellery brand that is leveraging printing at scale. Translating global fashion into accessible pieces for the Indian audience, they offer everything from abstract motifs to intricate florals. 

3. Pili Taxi

A mix of nostalgia and pop culture, Pili Taxi stands out for its experimental storytelling. Utilising 3D modelling to produce complex formations, their jewellery is layered, conceptual and boasting eccentric narratives. 

4. Ola

With all designs modelled digitally and 3D printed, Belgium-based Ola curates jewellery that is a reflection of modern architecture and 20th-century art movements. Crafting extremely precise and lightweight accessories, the minimalistic brand has integrated 3D printing in not just the creative process but also in prototyping. 

5. Cluster 

A curated platform for everything from jewellery to art, London-based Cluster Contemporary Jewellery creates sculptural accessories that easily make it to the object d'art category. Featuring Indian designers as well, they are your one-stop destination for statement 3D prints. 

Add these 3D-printed jewellery pieces to your jewellery collection, and don't forget to shine on. 

Edited by Sabrina Mathews