This post from the Engagement Ring Checklist discusses whether or not you need a CAD for your engagement ring. The answer isn’t straightforward: it depends, there are some instances where you might need a CAD for your engagement ring. Read on to learn more.
One of the things many people get confused about is whether or not they need a CAD drawing for their engagement ring. A CAD is a computer generated design. CAD is short for computer aided design. It’s understandable that if you’re looking to make a custom engagement ring that you might want to see a drawing or rendering of the ring before you commission the design.
But the reality regarding CADs and engagement rings is that most times they are not needed.
Why is that? Let’s discuss the circumstances where you might need a CAD for your engagement ring and instances where you will not.
Why You May Not Need a CAD for Your Engagement Ring
If you have selected an engagement ring from a website or jewelry designer that consists of a fairly basic, standard design, you will not need a CAD for your engagement ring. Why is that? The reason for this is because you are already looking at what the final product will look like when you selected it on the website or sent images to the jeweler. If you’re making no alterations or adjustments to the ring’s design, then there is no need for you to get a CAD for your engagement ring.
Asking for a CAD can add to the cost of your engagement ring, so if you’re on a budget, you might want to think twice about whether or not you really need one.
Additionally, CAD designs are proprietary property of the jewelry designer, so you won’t actually be getting the CAD file that you’ll be able to manipulate in CAD software. Instead, you’ll be getting a jpg or png file that shows the rendering of the design in the computer, like the image shown above.
Other Issues Regarding CADs and Engagement Rings
Other issues regarding CADs and engagement rings have to do with the how the CAD looks when it comes out of the computer. As you can see on the two examples shown here, the CADs look bulky and large, not at all what the final product will look like.
Seeing a CAD like this and not understanding its purpose and function can be a source of stress for people shopping for engagement rings, which in and of itself is already a process that comes with a host of emotions baked into it.
What clients need to understand is that CADs are designed to show the wax that will be cast for the ring. The inside of the wax is hollow and the metal for the ring is poured inside of it. Only when the wax mold is removed will the ring begin to take final shape.
So you can see that getting a CAD for your engagement ring isn’t going to be 100% representative of the final product.
Other details that are often not shown on CADs for engagement rings are certain types of pave or prong settings.
Many times the prongs shown in an engagement ring CAD stand straight up above the center stone. The reason this is done is so that the bench jeweler (the person setting the diamond) has additional metal to work with when they set the stone. If they were to cast the metal in the shape of the final ring, they would not have enough additional material at their disposal to shape around the center stone of the ring.
Instances Where You Do Need A CAD for Your Engagement Ring
The one instance where you might require a CAD for your engagement ring is if you’re designing a completely unique custom engagement ring that doesn’t have a reference photo for the jeweler or jewelry designer to work off of. In that particular instance, the jeweler may provide a hand-sketch of the ring first.
Once that is approved, the CAD will then be made and shown to the client. It’s important to view the CAD with the knowledge that the ring will look bulky and not representative of its final iteration. Be sure you discuss other details that cannot clearly be shown in CAD work like prong shape and types of pave designs verbally and in written exchanges with your jeweler so that there is no confusion and so you have a paper trail in case anything goes awry.
Final Thoughts on CADs for Engagement Rings
Though clients may think they need a CAD for their engagement, the reality is that many times they do not. If you insist on getting one from your jeweler as you design your engagement ring, just be advised that a CAD isn’t going to show you all of the hand-finished detailing that goes into an engagement ring and that there may be added costs.
CADs for engagement rings can be a great tool but if you’re working with an expert who has made the design many times before, you can more than likely be reassured they will know what they are doing.
