3D Printing Helps Holden Take Wedding Band Business Right to Customers

Delving into the realm of romance does not come without a price. With dating comes an onslaught of expenses—from just the right clothes to dinners out to all those sweet little gifts you buy just to show your significant other you care. But when the time comes to put a ring on it, it can be a no-holds barred chain reaction of spending. Putting together a unique proposal may require a budget of its own, not to mention the ring, the wedding planning, and so on…and so on…into pre-connubial infinity of dollars signs and wallet emptying.

While many couples still go the traditional route, today it is definitely much cooler to put your own particular spin on getting engaged, getting married, and well—leading life overall. And as for that rule about three months’ gross salary going into the purchase of a wedding ring? Think again. And watch yet another industry being revolutionized by 3D printing—with companies like Holden leading the way.

Founded by Andrew Lim and Simon Zhang, the fledgling New York-headquartered business offers an alternative to couples who don’t want to break the bank before they even start their lives together, offering wedding bands directly for sale to consumers. The rings can be customized and are created out of recycled metals, featuring platinum alloy, gold, or platinum. And thanks to one of the greatest benefits of 3D printing, prices start at only $250.

Friends since college, both Lim and Zhang have prior marketing education, as well as the experience of owning another jewelry business called Mujo—both the precursor to and the source of funding for launching Holden. In fielding requests at Mujo, both entrepreneurs realized a need for engaged couples to shop jewelry options as well. They also realized they could offer much better deals in eliminating third party retailers and manufacturers—one of the greatest advantages offered by 3D printing.

“The way it works right now is you can get a custom designer ring and pay an arm and a leg, or you can get something more affordable that is generic and out of the box. So when customers came up to us, and said, ‘Can I change this or that? Can I add an engraving?’ we said, ‘Yes,'” said Lim in a recent interview.

The models are 3D printed in wax and then cast in the metal of the consumer’s choice. Options are available for:

• Width
• Metal material
• Finish
• Engraving

The ‘Faceted’ model

“Just four years ago, 3D printing would’ve been cost prohibitive for a lot of jewelry,” Zhang said.

Fast forward to 2018 though, and designers and jewelry makers around the world are enjoying the progressive technology of 3D design and 3D printing which allows them to come up with designs on any day at any hour and begin producing them directly from their own workshops. Inspiration is allowed to unfold in countless ways due to such latitude in creation, along with greater efficiency, speed, and affordability in production.

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[Source: Forbes / Images: Holden]