JEWELLERY CAD DESIGNER

Meet your instructor and get introduced to the course journey ahead. Explore the learning structure, key objectives, final projects, and connect with fellow students as you begin your jewellery CAD design experience. 

• Meet your instructor
• Housekeeping rules
• Course objectives & flow
• Final project & assignments overview
• Ice-breaker: What brought you here?

Discover how CAD and CAM technologies have transformed modern jewellery production. Explore the digital workflows, tools, and manufacturing methods used by professional jewellery designers to bring concepts from idea to finished piece. 

• What is CAD?
• Benefits of CAD in the jewellery industry
• Overview of popular CAD tools 
• Computer-aided manufacturing methods 

Assignment #1: Vision Board & Inspiration
Provide some description or a moodboard of jewellery design you are looking for.

Learn the foundations of successful jewellery design by balancing aesthetics, comfort, and functionality. Explore jewellery anatomy, material considerations, and the principles that influence wearability and long-term durability. 

• Ergonomics and wearability
• Proportions and aesthetics
• Material considerations
• Anatomy of jewellery
• Case Study: Discuss provided jewellery designs for functionality and aesthetics.

Assignment #2: The Blueprint: Jewellery Anatomy 
Complete a jewellery anatomy worksheet by identifying and labelling key components of rings and bracelets to demonstrate understanding of essential terminology. 

Learn how to navigate Rhino and establish an efficient workspace for jewellery design. Explore essential tools, project setup techniques, and workflow fundamentals that will support all future modelling work.

• Overview of Rhino workspace
• Grid setup 
• Common tools/layout of Rhino
• Plugins for jewellery 
• Demo: Creating a new project in Rhino 

Explore the core modelling techniques used to create traditional wedding bands. Learn fundamental Rhino commands, sweep operations, and stone-setting basics while building production-ready ring designs. 

• Eternity rings
• Learning the basic commands of Rhino
• Simple sweeps and how they work
• Adding simple stones to design 
• Demo: Sweeping simple profiles 

Assignment #3: Wedding Band Suite 
Create three traditional wedding rings (plain, channel set, and castle set) plus one original design that demonstrates creativity and sound modelling practices.

Develop more advanced surface modelling skills while constructing a functional signet ring. Learn how to manipulate geometry using industry-standard techniques to create clean, manufacturable designs. 

• Advanced sweeping/surface tools
• Next level of basic commands
• Demo: Making a basic signet ring

Assignment #4: The Signet Ring 
Create a functional signet ring model suitable for manufacturing, with opportunities to experiment with alternative table shapes and design variations.

Learn the design principles behind one of jewellery's most iconic pieces. Explore efficient modelling workflows while developing accurate stone settings, proportions, and structural details. 

• Fundamentals of jewellery 
• Approaching a design 
• Additional basic commands
• Demo: Building a traditional solitaire ring 

Assignment #5: The Classic Solitaire Ring
Design a traditional four- or six-prong solitaire engagement ring with accurate prong thickness, stone placement, and balanced proportions.

Build upon previous modelling techniques to create a multi-stone ring design. Learn how to incorporate melee stones, underbezels, and setting structures while maintaining manufacturing accuracy. 

• Reinforcing commands 
• Melee stones 
• Tolerances for melee stones
• Demo: Creating a 3 stone ring with set underbezel and set shoulders 

Assignment #6: The 3-Stone Assembly 
Create a three-stone engagement ring that demonstrates accurate stone placement, structural integrity, and effective use of setting techniques.

Discover how to design and model halo engagement rings featuring both round and fancy-cut centre stones. Learn layout strategies that ensure accurate spacing, symmetry, and visual impact. 

• Build on melee stone incorporation
• Basic halos
• How to tackle shaped stone halos
• Demo: Creating a halo engagement ring with a fancy cut stone 

Assignment #7: The Halo Dress Ring 
Create a halo ring design featuring a centre stone and surrounding halo, with opportunities to explore tiered layouts and more advanced configurations.

Learn how to design matching jewellery sets that combine aesthetics with functionality. Explore articulated components, movement, and construction methods used in pendants and earrings. 

• Approaching pendants
• Earrings 
• Demo: Making a matching earring/pendant set 

Assignment #8: Pendant & Earring Duo 
Design a matching pendant and earring set that demonstrates consistent styling, functional construction, and attention to detail.

Explore advanced modelling techniques used to create functional bangles and bracelets. Learn how to design hinges and clasps that combine durability, movement, and seamless aesthetics. 

• Advanced modelling
• How to cut hinges into a bangle
• Creating a box clasp for seamless looks
• Demo: Creating a box clasp for a bangle 

Assignment #9: The Mechanical Bangle 
Create a hinged bangle featuring a fully functional hinge and box clasp while maintaining manufacturability and design quality.

Learn how professional jewellers adapt designs for individual clients and larger collections. Explore customisation workflows, design consistency, and techniques for scaling pieces across product ranges. 

• Workflow for custom client projects
• Continuing an aesthetic when developing ranges
• Adapting designs for personalisation
• Workshop: Break down 2-3 iconic jewellery designs 

Assignment #10: Collection Scaling: Bespoke & Range Work
Modify a previous design to create a bespoke variation and adapt the original model for a different finger size while preserving its aesthetic integrity.

Learn how to transform CAD models into professional presentations using rendering and visualisation tools. Explore materials, lighting, and presentation techniques that help communicate design intent.

• Applying materials and textures
• Setting up lighting and backdrop
• Exporting high-quality renders
• iJewel3D 
• Demo: Rendering a finished jewellery piece for presentation 

Assignment #11: Presentation: High-Fidelity Rendering 
Create professional renders of a previous CAD model, including interactive viewing links and multiple presentation-ready images.

Explore how jewellery CAD models move into production through 3D printing and casting workflows. Learn how to prepare files for manufacturing and assess whether designs are production-ready.

• Applications of 3D printing technology 
• 3D printers, materials, and printing techniques
• Preparing STL files for 3D printing

Final Project
Design and create a cohesive bridal jewellery suite consisting of an engagement ring, wedding ring, pendant, and earrings. The collection should demonstrate consistent aesthetics, manufacturability, and professional-level CAD skills.

Learn how to evaluate, refine, and troubleshoot jewellery models before production. Explore quality control processes that ensure designs meet manufacturing, wearability, and durability requirements. 

• Manufacturing file preparation
• Printability and tolerances
• Geometry troubleshooting
• Assembly documentation
• Accuracy and quality control
• Demo: Troubleshooting the design for manufacturing 

Assignment #12: Peer Feedback 
Review and provide constructive feedback on peer designs, focusing on aesthetics, wearability, manufacturability, and technical accuracy.

Discover how to present your work professionally and build an online presence as a jewellery designer. Explore portfolio strategies and platforms used to showcase and sell jewellery collections.

• Creating a portfolio
• Online platforms for selling designs
• Workshop: Reviewing digital portfolio examples

Learn how to build a sustainable career in jewellery design through strategic networking, professional development, and industry engagement. Explore practical steps for protecting your work and advancing your career. 

• Protecting your intellectual property
• Career paths in jewellery design
• CV & interview tips
• Networking and industry events