Is 3-D the Industry's Next Big Thing?

RAPAPORT... In an era when consumers are more tech-savvy than ever, andonline jewelers are taking business from brick-and-mortar, tools thatenhance the customer experience can help retailers draw customers totheir stores. Many industries have been using 3-D for years to improve consumers' buyingexperience. However, the jewelry retail trade has only recently begun to harnessthe benefits the technology offers. Feeding the instant-gratification demandDesktop Metal, a US-based 3-D printing business, haspartnered with designer Christian Tse to create Studio System, new 3-Dprinting technology for the jewelry industry, which it will debut at JCK Las Vegas, taking place May 31 to June 3. The system allows jewelers toproduce highly detailed custom jewelry, tooling and metal molds in-house. Using the technology, retailers can make prototypes for newdesigns in just a few hours, Desktop Metal notes. The company currently offersthe option for stainless steel printing, and is developing the technology forprecious metals. "This puts the entire production process literally in thehands of the designer," says Tse. "And the batch processing will facilitatefaster turnaround times for orders, allowing partner retailers to exceed theircustomer's expectations." A rough in hand Sarine Technologies, which manufactures equipment for thediamond industry, is offering three-dimensional modeling of rough stones. The3D-Origin, which the company launched last week, is an add-on to the Sarine Diamond Journey report. It creates areplica of the rough-diamond from which a polished is formed. The idea behind the product is to provide consumers lookingto purchase polished-diamond jewelry with a tactile connection to the originalrough stone. "The diamond and jewelry industry is just discovering theamazing opportunities technology creates for the modern retail environment,"said David Block, CEO of Sarine Technologies. "Not just as a means of luringcustomers, but also to engage customers' hearts and minds through digitalstorytelling of the uniquely complex process of polishing a diamond." Image: A rough-stone replica created using 3D-Origin. (Sarine Technologies)