# 3D-Printed Gold Jewelry Lionel T. Dean's 18 Carat Gold Designs Could Change the Jewelry Industry By Cadhla Gray | Published 2015-09-09 | Fashion Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinted-gold References: [dezeen](http://www.dezeen.com/2015/09/08/3d-printed-gold-jewellery-18-carat-reshape-industry-lionel-t-dean/) & [freedomofcreation](http://www.freedomofcreation.com/talents/lionel_t) Lionel T. Dean is transforming the [jewelry industry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jeweler-collective) with his latest [3D-printed gold collection](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunlight-panorama). The project titled 'Precious' includes pieces that range in aesthetics from modern to antique. For example, the 'Orbis' ring looks as it sounds, like a futuristic orb with mathematically symmetrical latticework. Meanwhile, the 'Collect' bangle appears to be an heirloom, with a delicate chalice and a golden tea kettle as charms. The Precious collection emphasizes modern jewelry-making that uses a [digital manufacturing process](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/econitwood) allows designers to achieve results that couldn't be attained by hand. For instance, 3D-printed gold jewelry can result in more affordable pieces because they can be made with very thin hollow spaces. While the industry has used 3D-printing relatively consistently for molds, there is a hesitation to print directly with metal as a part of the artistic process may be lost. Lionel T. Dean is demonstrating that with the loss of some aspects of the design process, others are gained. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 6.3/10 - Popularity: 96% | Activity: 85% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Fashion](https://www.trendhunter.com/fashion) > [Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/jewelry) ## Key Themes ### Why This Trend Is Growing - **3d-printed Jewelry:** Jewelry companies can explore creating unique and new designs with 3D-printing, potentially creating more affordable pieces. - **Digital Manufacturing:** Adopting a digital manufacturing process presents the opportunity for jewelry-makers to achieve results that couldn't be attained by hand. - **Modernizing Traditional Techniques:** Incorporating digital manufacturing in traditional jewelry-making methods can create pieces that are modern yet timeless. ### Industries Being Reshaped - **Jewelry:** Jewelry-makers should explore utilizing 3D-printing in the manufacturing process as it can offer more affordable pieces while still maintaining quality and unique designs. - **Manufacturing:** Digital manufacturing presents new and disruptive opportunities for jewelry-making, requiring companies to adapt and embrace these new techniques to stay competitive. - **Art, Design, and Fashion:** Integrating digital manufacturing into artistic industries has the potential to make traditional methods more efficient and creates fresh and unique designs to keep up with the evolving trends. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Gold Fine Jewelry Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gold-fine-jewelry.md) - [Whimsical Heirloom-Quality Symbolic Talismans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3-graces-of-gold.md) - [Wearable Sculptural Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dtcable-collection.md) - [AI-Assisted Jewelry Design Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blng.md) - [Three-Dimensional High-End Jewelry Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sunlight-panorama.md) - [Craft-Inspired 3D-Printing Styles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digitally-woven.md) - [Stunning 3D-Printed Sunglasses](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/3dprinted-sunglasses1.md) - [Recycled Gold Jewelry Collections](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-gold-jewelry.md) - [2D-to-3D Jewelry Try-Ons](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-try-on-technology.md)