Jewelry Replicator: 3D prints long lost jewelry using data from old pictures

We’ve all probably lost a piece of jewelry at some point in our lives. Whether it’s a ring, a pendant, a pin, or something else, people are losing all kinds of jewelry on a constant basis. Some pieces can be replaced by finding an identical version of it, but what happens if the piece you lost is irreplaceable? Perhaps it was you grandmothers pendant, purchased 75 years ago, or a custom ring which is one of a kind. This is a dilemma many people have faced or will face in the future. If the financial loss of the piece is not traumatic enough, then the thought of never seeing a cherished piece again can really be the heart breaker.

Well, there is no such thing as “irreplaceable” any more, at least to an extent. American Pearl, a company which has been in the jewelry business for over 64 years, recently launched their Jewelry Replicator program. The Jewelry Replicator program allows customers to “Revive Jewelry from the past using simple photos.” Customers simply send in their pictures of a piece of jewelry, and Jewelry Replicator 3D prints a copy of that piece. Pictures can be sent directly to Jewelry Replicator via email, or their Google+ page, by posting in the “Submit Request” folder. Once a request is received, their expert designers turn that picture into a 3D CAD model, which they send to a  3D printer that replicates that cherished piece of jewelry in mold form.  This mold is then used to cast the actual merchandise.

Once a photo is submitted, you are giving American Pearl the rights to use that design however they wish. For a premium though, they will make that design exclusive to your purchase. They will accept any photos, no matter the resolution, and even take drawings or portraits if needed. The only thing they won’t accept is copyrighted material. A typical ring will run a customer at least a few hundred dollars, depending on the metal used.

Not only are customers using this to replicate lost or stolen jewelry, but also jewelry which they find deceased relatives wearing in old photos. The company seems very eager to work with clients in a variety of ways, and isn’t afraid to try new approaches.

On their Google+ page one customer explained, “I lost my Bar Mitzvah ring as a child and it’s haunted me ever since; if I can draw it would you be able to recreate it? “

American Pearl responded with 30 minutes stating, “Absolutely. Please draw it and post it here. We will design it for you free of charge and submit images for your review.”

It’s certainly nice to see a company taking a new approach to an old problem with the help of the latest technologies available to them. Innovation is the key to a successful business strategy, and American Pearl is certainly innovating. Check out the Jewelry Replicator forum thread at 3DPB.com for further discussion.  American Pearl was present at this year’s CES in January, where Geek Beat’s Cali Lewis reported on the 3D printing technology that the company was working with.  The report can be viewed below: