Shapeways Introduces Four New Materials for Jewelers – Platinum, 18k Gold, 14k Rose Gold & 14k White Gold

There are a few 3D printing services out there which cater towards consumers and businesses alike, but none have the history like that of Shapeways. Easily the largest online 3D printing service company, Shapeways seems be a bit ahead of the curve. In order to compete with the smaller start up companies out there, who also offer 3D printing as a service, Shapeways has continued to expand their offerings. In doing so, they have introduced a plethora of materials, which their clients can select to have their designs as well as other peoples’ designs manufactured with.

Back in April, the company announced the addition of 14 kt gold to their ever expanding lineup of 3D printable materials. This was a big addition, as it gave jewelry artists and designers a key metal material to work with. Today, Shapeways took yet another step to appeal to that of jewelers. They have announced the availability of a suite of four new precious metal materials, which are as follows:

Platinum

• Price: $1,750 per cm3 + $100 handling fee
• Time to Ship: 9 business days (13 business days for products larger than 56mm)
• Print Accuracy: ± 0.125 mm
• Material: 95% Platinum, 5% Ruthenium
• Characteristics: Extremely durable, silver-white, hand-polished, with a smooth sheen to it

18k Gold

• Price: $800 per cm3 + $100 handling fee
• Time to Ship: 7 business days (11 business days for products larger than 56mm)
• Print Accuracy: ± 0.125 mm
• Material: 75% Gold, 10% Copper, and 15% Silver.
• Characteristics: Higher percentage of gold and brighter and more vibrant than the 14k alternative

14k Rose Gold

• Price: $600 per cm3 + $50 handling fee
• Time to Ship: 7 business days (11 business days for products larger than 56mm)
• Print Accuracy: ± 0.125 mm
• Material: 58% Gold, 40% Copper, 1% Silver, and 1% Zinc.
• Characteristics: Pinkish tint

14k White Gold

• Price: $600 per cm3 + $50 handling fee
• Time to Ship: 7 business days (11 business days for products larger than 56mm)
• Print Accuracy: ± 0.125 mm
• Material: 58% Gold, 24% Copper, 9% Zinc, and 9% Nickel.
• Characteristics: Resembles silver, with a slight hint of gold to it

Certainly the materials announced today will make Shapeways the primary additive manufacturing service used by jewelry designers and sellers. If you are curious, the metal is not actually 3D printed, but instead is cast from a 3D printed wax mold.

Are you a jeweler? Do you plan on using these new materials for your designs? Let us know your thoughts on this latest news in the Shapeways forum thread on 3DPB.com.