Don’t Just Dream About Putting a Ring on It; Design and 3D Print Your Own with Ringz, the New Mobile App

The artistic spirit is historically one of varying degrees of creativity, brilliance, and independence, driven by inspiration and craftsmanship. Combining art with jewelry often results in stunning creations, from items that jewelers create, design, and sell, to pieces of jewelry that individuals think of on their own, and then take them to a jeweler almost as a middleman to put on the finishing touches and provide the tangible, desired result—for example, a husband and wife-to-be might come up with an idea for a beautiful ring and then consult with a designer.

With contemporary jewelry, more and more artistic and creative types are dabbling in the field of jewelry making themselves, whether it is in a more simple and earthy style like working with beads and more organic materials, or perhaps jewelry that is more complex, using precious stones with sleek, modern settings. It is not as hard as it used to be for someone to jump right in and start making (and selling) necklaces, rings, earrings and more that can often be sold at folksy craft shows and online as they are further developing their skills and going to the next level.

With 3D printing, the next level isn’t that far away for inspired new designers and jewelry makers, and many extremely talented, highly experienced artists and jewelers are using the technology to attain total autonomy in their art as they can create something, prototype it, and even manufacture it themselves—not to mention the notoriety and interest their work gains just because it was 3D printed. 3D printing allows the artist to be more versatile and add components, or edit them out digitally, on a whim.

Not only does 3D printing allow makers to advance further, but with the current features of most smartphones, designs can be created from the smartphone—and in the case of Ringz, the app allows for modeling and 3D printing to be performed directing from your phone.

Miro Straka, with one of her 3D printed designs, a mask, not for sale, featured on Shapeways.

While there are a number of apps and design programs an artist can choose from, as well as deciding on how challenging a learning curve to take on, Ringz, from designer Miro Straka and Magpie Entertainment, is a mobile app that brings a simple approach to designing a ring in 3D, directly from your smartphone. Rings are one piece of jewelry that almost always have a significance with specific meaning, emotional attachment as a gift, or they might be an heirloom or antique. Being able to design your own ring to express an idea, emotion, or significance of sorts is a wonderful activity.

It’s a perfect way for the dreamy fiancé, while riding on the subway, to design the perfect engagement ring, or for kids to play with, as budding artists. You could make up a design for a new school ring. A promise ring. A pinky ring. The options are endless, as well as what to adorn the 3D printed ring with, as it could be cast in any sort of metal and adorned with an almost infinite choice of stones or designs.

The 3D jewelry modeling app begins by asking for and setting your ring size, which is saved within the program. There are a number of models to choose from and play with, manipulating, shaping, and designing. The file can then be sent to a 3D printing service bureau, or you can send the file to other modeling software if you’d like to continue in a more advanced format, and then 3D print it on your own.

Designer Miro Straka is from Slovakia originally, and is currently doing post-graduate work at the University of Applied Arts Vienna, with an interest in architecture, and she has worked with some complex 3D designs and programs. She also has jewelry and a 3D printed mask (see below) featured at Shapeways.

Have you used this mobile app or are you planning to download it and experiment with making a ring of your own? Tell us about it in the Ringz 3D Printing Mobile App forum over at 3DPB.com.

One of Miro Straka’s 3D printed ring designs, from the Shapeways collection, soaked in red wine and specially boxed.