With the modern technology, we have these days, there is no doubt that every single thing is made a lot more convenient on everyone’s part. Jewelry production is no exception.
We are living in a modern era, where shopping, buying, communicating with our loved ones and friends, determining the weather for the next day, etc. is all made a lot easier through the use of technology. And when it comes to jewelry production, the effects of modern technology are impressive and unparalleled.
It’s no longer a secret that technology changes (and will continue to change) the jewelry industry – from e-commerce platforms and cloud solutions to mining and/or discovering precious gemstones themselves. Computer-aided design (CAD), 3D printing, and augmented reality bring new excitement to retailers and buyers. And, it looks like increasingly more stores will have to implement these technologies if they really want to stay powerful and competitive.
Let’s take a closer look at some of the effects of modern technology on the jewelry industry.
Boost presence, both locally and globally
Both businesses and consumers are eyeing an increase in internalization and localization of jewelry brands. In today’s digital period, it is expected to boost the supply chain processes. If so, new designs will be quickly available on the shelves, and there will be cross-border shipping of designed items across the world. Basically, newer concepts and designs brought right to your door. The technology’s rise and ease of use have brought necessary change in how the businesses and customers perceive the availability, design, and purchase of jewelry.
Accelerate growth
By the end of the year, research asserts that the jewelry market is expected to see a four percent to ten percent increase, specifically the online jewelry market. With that growth comes more modern offerings for design and development of jewelry items, both at the retail and consumer levels. These tools are are making it easier than ever for online consumers to not only find what they want but even customize it so they get exactly what they’re looking for. Ring Builder, for example, is a tool that allows buyers to develop an engagement ring according to their personal preference or taste. But it doesn’t stop at high-end engagement rings. Consumers can now customize nearly anything their hearts desire, including a ring, pearl necklace, bracelet, etc. Changes to cut, color, carat, settings and more are easily attained at the click of a button.
Tools that allow consumers to customize what they are looking for helps retailers and stores not only move more product but also enhance the experience for shoppers, leading to greater loyalty and retention.
Transforming the shopping experience
Gone are the days when you needed to beat heavy traffic visiting a local jewelry store to buy a gift for your special someone or friend. To be honest, those days have been gone for quite some time at this point. As the Internet has aged, consumers have become more and more comfortable buying big-ticket items online. Where there was previously anxiety and perhaps a bit of doubt, consumers have replaced it with an excitement for convenience and savings.
Online shopping is a great option, especially for those with busy schedules. With just a few clicks of your mouse, you can have a personally designed piece of jewelry as unique as the individual purchasing it.
Wearable Tech
These days, most of us like to wear a piece of jewelry that can bring out the best in our outfit. Today’s accessories are capable of so much more, though. With cutting-edge technology, jewelry makers are starting to recognize this and are fulfilling a crucial need: Jewelry that not only looks nice but also serves a purpose.
Some rings and smart bracelets can now be connected to handheld devices, allowing you to everything from tracking your activity (heart rate, steps, etc.) to picking up a phone call as you rush from the train to your office.
3D Printing
The combination of 3D printing and CAD, or computer-aided design, is perhaps one of the best things that ever happened to the jewelry industry. Their benefits are limitless – easy corrections, an incredible amount of detailing, quicker production times, and so much more! The Lost-Wax Printing and Casting’s rise helped the manufacturers to create jewelry in copper, gold, bronze, silver, and brass.
With 3D printed technology, customers can even participate in the process of creation and design, making the shopping experience more exciting and personal. Polyamide, alumide, ceramics, rubber-like as well as metals – the materials are almost as limitless as the design options. Bottom line? This tech can help jewelers create more customizable pieces and lower prices.
Lasers
Though lasers have been around for quite some time, major advancements in the technology are bringing new solutions to the jewelry industry each and every day. This technology is used for welding, cutting, and decorating (among other things). It has opened up various exciting designs that cater to everyone’s needs and wants. Thanks to the functionality of laser technology, jewelry designs are constantly changing and progressing.
And when it comes to security and anti-theft, lasers are making progress where other technologies have failed. The ability to microscopically carve identification numbers or other ID markers directly onto diamonds and other precious gems means it’s now awfully hard to pull a fast one on jewelers.
Lightweight Jewelry
Electroforming is another indispensable technology advancement in the jewelry market that allows artisans to make a light yet strong metal design. This process creates a thick skin of silver or gold, which enables the production of lightweight pieces. It’s often used for earrings.
There are various types of electroforming. The gold and silver types are done in numerous alloys in a stony electrolyte bath, while platinum electroforming requires a heated bath and unalloyed, pure platinum.
It is exciting to see how modern technology is changing all the elements of the jewelry industry. As years go by, we can expect more innovations that will continuously change – hopefully for the better – the buyer and seller experience.
The combination of these developments makes it highly possible to avert from mainstream designs. This, in turn, enables consumers to customize pieces according to their specifications. The utilization of technology is more than just empowering clients – it is also about getting rid of physical borders from the crafting and design process to allow for original, light, and cost-effective pieces.
There you have it! We’ll never know what modern technology could still offer us as time goes by. How did you find this post? Leave your thoughts below!