3D jewellery scanner

guide and top 6 scanners

What is jewelry 3D scanning?

3D scanning is the process of digitally analyzing an object to obtain 3D information about its shape. A popular use of 3D scanning technology is jewelry 3D scanning.

This is the process of 3D scanning jewelry, precious metals, and gemstones with the goal of creating a digital copy of the original object. The digital copy can be used for many purposes, such as repairing or duplicating a valuable item.

3D scanners have been adopted as a supplementary tool by traditional jewelers, but the technology has also allowed newcomers to enter the field, many of which have combined 3D scanning with jewelry 3D printing.

This guide looks at some of the best jewelry 3D scanners on the market, in addition to discussing the various applications and benefits of 3D scanning jewelry.

A 3D scanned ring by B9 Creations. Source: B9 Creations

The best jewelry 3D scanners in 2022

Brand	Product	Accuracy	Country	Price Approximate starting prices based on supplier-provided information and public data. Prices may vary by region, over time and do not include additional products or services (taxes, shipping, accessories, training, installation, …).
D3D-s	3D Jewelry Scanner	0.015 mm0.000591 in	Ukraine	$ 2,2002 500 €1,951 £327,923 ¥	Quote
Shining 3D This brand is a certified partner from our network.	AutoScan Sparkle	0.01 mm0.000394 in	China	$ 14,00014 000 €12,419 £2,086,784 ¥	Quote
B9Creations	B9 Scan 350	0.015 mm0.000591 in	United States	$ 15,00015 000 €13,306 £2,235,840 ¥	Quote
Polyga	HDI Compact C506	0.012 mm0.000472 in	–	$ 16,99017 270 €15,071 £2,532,461 ¥	Quote
Medit	Solutionix D700	0.01 mm0.000394 in	South Korea	$ 25,00025 412 €22,176 £3,726,400 ¥	Quote
Artec 3D	Micro	0. 01 mm0.000394 in	Luxembourg	$ 29,30029 783 €25,990 £4,367,341 ¥	Quote
Evatronix	eviXscan FinePrecision	0.006 mm0.000236 in	Poland	$ 35,00029 000 €31,046 £5,216,960 ¥	Quote

Expand to see more specs

The products in the table are ranked by price (low to high).

Brand	Product	Accuracy	Max resolution	Country	Price Approximate starting prices based on supplier-provided information and public data. Prices may vary by region, over time and do not include additional products or services (taxes, shipping, accessories, training, installation, …).
D3D-s	3D Jewelry Scanner	0.015 mm0.000591 in	0.022 mm0.000866 in	Ukraine	$ 2,2002 500 €1,951 £327,923 ¥	Get a quote
Shining 3D This brand is a certified partner from our network.	AutoScan Sparkle	0.01 mm0.000394 in	0.05 mm0.001969 in	China	$ 14,00014 000 €12,419 £2,086,784 ¥	Get a quote
B9Creations	B9 Scan 350	0.015 mm0.000591 in	0.052 mm0.002047 in	United States	$ 15,00015 000 €13,306 £2,235,840 ¥	Get a quote
Polyga	HDI Compact C506	0.012 mm0.000472 in	0.02 mm0.000787 in	–	$ 16,99017 270 €15,071 £2,532,461 ¥	Get a quote
Medit	Solutionix D700	0.01 mm0.000394 in	0.01 mm0.000394 in	South Korea	$ 25,00025 412 €22,176 £3,726,400 ¥	Get a quote
Artec 3D	Micro	0.01 mm0.000394 in	0.029 mm0.001142 in	Luxembourg	$ 29,30029 783 €25,990 £4,367,341 ¥	Get a quote
Evatronix	eviXscan FinePrecision	0.006 mm0.000236 in	0.028 mm0. 001102 in	Poland	$ 35,00029 000 €31,046 £5,216,960 ¥	Get a quote

How jewelry 3D scanning works

Most jewelry 3D scanners are enclosed or partly enclosed desktop machines that offer ideal lighting conditions. Desktop jewelry 3D scanners almost always feature an automatic turntable, or auto-rotating table, on which the piece of jewelry is placed to be scanned.

Basic turntables only rotate at 360°, while more advanced, multi-axis turntable systems are able to tilt from side to side with multiple degrees of freedom. Hence, minimal manual input is required, and jewelers can 3D scan their objects at the click of a button.

In terms of technology, the majority of jewelry 3D scanners use structured light 3D scanning methods.

Structured light 3D scanners feature a light-emitting device (often a blue LED light) that projects a series of patterns onto the surface of the piece of jewelry. These patterns visibly deform according to the object’s surface and contours.

Meanwhile, a camera captures these deformed patterns, which are then processed by the scanner’s software to determine the jewelry’s precise geometry. The result is a 3D CAD model that can be modified, re-used, sliced for 3D printing, etc.

To recap, most jewelry 3D scanners feature the following characteristics:

• Desktop format with an enclosed or partly enclosed scanning area
• Automated thanks to a rotating table with one or multiple axes of movement
• Structured light technology with blue LED patterns
• High precision for complex details

Typical 3D jewelry scanning workflow

Put simply, a piece of jewelry is 3D scanned thanks to blue structured light technology. Then, the 3D scanner’s software creates a 3D model, which can then be exported to specialist CAD software suites for jewelers.

A typical workflow goes like this:

A typical 3D jewelry scanning workflow combined with 3D printing and casting methods. Source: eLUXE3D

Here’s a deeper look into the major steps linked to 3D scanning jewelry.

1. Prepare jewelry

Left untreated, jewelry is difficult to scan, because a 3D scanner’s optical hardware has trouble processing shiny or reflective surfaces. Structured light patterns become distorted if reflected by the metal object.

This problem can be mitigated by spraying the jewelry with a temporary or washable matte coating (3D scanning spray).

2. Position jewelry

Most jewelry 3D scanners use an automatic rotating table (a.k.a. automatic turntable, multi-axis turntable), allowing the scanner to view the piece of jewelry from as many angles as possible.

The most detailed side of the piece should face upwards, where there is no physical contact with the turntable. In most cases, the user will have to flip the piece over in order for the scanner to capture the previously hidden surfaces.

3. Begin 3D scanning

Jewelry 3D scanners are packaged with 3D scanning software on which the user can launch 3D scans, operate the automatic turntable, and adjust scanning parameters (e.g. resolution).

Many of them enable one-click 3D scans and, thanks to auto-rotating tables, there is very little need for manual intervention.

4. Manipulate 3D model with CAD software

When a jewelry 3D scanner has completed scanning, its software creates a 3D mesh file (in STL file format, for example) of the piece of jewelry.

3D jewelry models are then commonly exported to a CAD software platform where the jeweler can edit or rework the piece, share it online, or simply store it digitally for future reference.

5. 3D print model

3D models obtained via jewelry 3D scanning can be 3D printed with the help of Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. SLA 3D printers are compatible with castable resins, which act as an alternative to wax in the direct investment casting process.

A jeweler can 3D print jewelry in castable resin, before surrounding the printed model with an investment material to make a mold. The 3D printed model is burnt out, leaving a cavity in the mold shaped like the original piece of jewelry.

Finally, the jeweler can pour molten metal — gold, silver, or bronze, for example — into the mold to create a new piece of jewelry.

In some cases, it can be possible to skip the casting process and print the piece of jewelry directly with a metal 3D printer.

The jewelry 3D printing and casting process. Source: i.materialise

Overview of the best jewelry 3D scanners in 2022

Here we provide a deeper look into each jewelry 3D scanner from our list.

Artec 3D, a Luxembourg-headquartered company with offices in Moscow and California, has been developing handheld and portable 3D scanners since 2007.

Their Artec Micro is an easy-to-use, high-precision desktop 3D scanner built for jewelry scanning, though it also has uses in dentistry and machine part scanning. A fully automated machine with one-click functionality, the Artec Micro scans with a point accuracy of up to 0.01 millimeters.

Artec’s versatile desktop 3D scanner scans items of jewelry using structured light technology: twin color cameras (6.4 megapixels) and a blue LED projector are complemented by a circular platform with a dual-axis swing-and-rotate system.

Real-time digital capture and previsualization is achieved using Artec’s dedicated software package, Artec Studio.

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South Korean 3D scanner manufacturer Medit has been in the business for two decades, providing solutions mainly destined for industrial and dental customers.

The Solutionix D700 is a fully automated desktop 3D scanner targeted at non-industrial users such as jewelry specialists who need to scan very small objects. The D700 is the most advanced 3D scanner in the Solutionix D-Series range of products, with a higher resolution than the D500.

The D700 scans items of jewelry with structured light technology that Solutionix calls “phase shifting optical triangulation.” This involves scanning from multiple angles to capture the entire profile of the object, then using those images to create a triangle mesh.

The D700’s two 6.4 megapixel cameras can capture details in full color.

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B9Creations is a 3D printing and 3D scanning company based in South Dakota. It has been creating 3D printers since 2011, and 3D scanners since 2018.

Designed specifically for the 3D scanning of jewelry and other small objects, the B9Creations B9 Scan 350 is an entry-level structured light scanner with 2-axis turntable rotation and an accuracy of 0.015 millimeters.

B9Creations states that the B9 Scan 350 can 3D scan any ring in less than five minutes. It achieves this using an LED projector with a brightness of 100 ANSI-lumens and a camera with a resolution of 1.3 megapixels.

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The Polyga HDI Compact C506 is a professional plug-and-play 3D scanner made by Polyga, a manufacturer from Canada.

It is part of Polyga’s HDI Compact C series of three professional 3D scanners. Polyga HDI Compact 3D scanners use blue LED structured light 3D scanning technology to capture objects in less than a second. They are the next generation of HDI 100 3D scanners.

The HDI Compact C506 is ideal for 3D scanning very small parts in high resolution and accuracy. Indeed, it features two 5.2 monochrome MP cameras.

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Shining 3D is part of the 3D scanning industry’s market leaders, producing 3D scanners (and 3D printers) since 2004. Their AutoScan series caters to a range of applications, with the AutoScan Inspec for metrology and the Sparkle version for jewelry.

This automated 3D scanner for jewelry features one of the largest scanning volumes of its category, and offers three degrees of freedom with its integrated turntable.

The AutoScan Sparkle comes with Shining 3D’s Ultrascan software for mesh exports but will require additional software for design purposes. Shining 3D namely lists Geomagic Design X, ZBrush, and Polyworks as suitable solutions.

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D3D-s is a Ukrainian 3D scanning startup whose eponymous jewelry 3D scanner was brought to market via a successful crowdfunding campaign. The machine is targeted at “both self-employed jewelers and professional teams.”

The D3D is unique amongst jewelry scanners for two reasons: it uses a single LED beam instead of projected light patterns, and it offers six directions of motion. A twin gantry system provides movement of both the tilting platter and the camera unit, allowing for the scanning of complex shapes like irregular gemstones.

The moving camera of the D3D-s has a high resolution of 5 megapixels, and the LED light beam provides a brightness of 945 lumens.

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The eviXscan FinePrecision is a desktop 3D scanner produced by Evatronix. Evatronix is a 3D scanner manufacturer based in Poland.

The Evatronix eviXscan FinePrecision uses structured light technology.

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Alternatives (other 3D jewelry scanners)

Here are a few other jewelry 3D scanning solutions from lesser-known manufacturers:

• Vylo Falcon3DX (South Korea)
• EGSolutions JScan 3 (Italy)
• eLUXE3D Gold 6.4 (United States)

3D jewelry software

After obtaining a 3D model from a 3D scan, jewelers may need to reverse engineer the mesh file into a new CAD format.

This is because mesh formats like STL interpret 3D models as an assortment of polygons, whereas actual pieces of jewelry tend to contain smooth, curved surfaces — not dozens of tiny triangles. CAD geometries like NURBS surfaces are better at representing these curves and are easier to edit.

The process of converting meshes into NURBS or subdivision surfaces is sometimes called retropology, and common tools for the practice include 3D Systems’ Geomagic X suite and the Mesh3Surface plugin for Rhino.

Once the scan has been converted, the jeweler can edit and rework the model.

Common CAD platforms used for jewelry design include 3Design, Rhino, and Matrix, while there are also a handful of jewelry-specific software suites such as Stuller’s MatrixGold and Gesswein’s JewelCAD, which provides features like automatic stone setting.

A brief look at file formats and 3D jewelry/design software suites. Source: D3D-S

Key specifications for jewelry 3D scanners

There are several specifications to look into before purchasing a 3D scanning solution for metrology.

Knowing the important specifications of 3D scanning technology makes choosing the right jewelry 3D scanner much easier.

Terms you will frequently encounter include:

Scanning volume or field of view

The scanning volume of a 3D scanner is the size of the envelope in which it can detect the scanned object. The larger the volume, also called the field of view, the larger the objects it can scan.

Most jewelry 3D scanners have small scanning volumes.

Scanning resolution

Measured in millimeters or microns, the resolution is the smallest possible distance between two points of a 3D scan. It is also called point-to-point distance or points per scan. A smaller number, therefore, represents a higher resolution and a greater level of detail in the finished 3D model.

There are two different kinds of resolutions: measurement resolution and mesh resolution. Mesh resolution is the most important kind to consider, as it will be the resolution of your final 3D model. Manufacturers are sometimes unclear about which resolution they are referring to.

Camera resolution

The scan resolution is directly affected by the resolution of the scanner’s camera since the camera is what captures the light deformation.

Camera resolution is measured in megapixels, and a higher number of megapixels means higher resolution. 3D scanners often have dual cameras.

Accuracy

Accuracy is the degree to which the dimensions of the digital scan match those of the physical object. It is measured in millimeters or microns, with a lower number translating into better accuracy.

Speed

In 3D scanning, speed is the amount of time it takes to 3D scan an object. It can be measured in seconds per scan or in measurements per second (number of 3D points captured in one second).

However, the chosen resolution, object size, and other parameters affect scanning speed.

Degrees of freedom/movement

A 3D scanner’s number of degrees of freedom is the number of directions in which its scanning bed can move by rotating and tilting from one side to another.

More degrees of freedom allow the scanner to automatically capture the object from a greater number of angles, resulting in a more accurate and more complete scan. This also allows professionals to save time, requiring less manual manipulation.

Jewelry 3D scanner price

Jewelry 3D scanner prices start at around $8,000 and can go up to over $30,000 for the most advanced systems. Resolution, accuracy, amount of movement axes,, and other factors all contribute to the scanner’s pricing.

It is also important to keep in mind that 3D scanning software always requires powerful laptops in terms of RAM, graphics card, etc. If you are not well equipped, you may need to allocate several thousand dollars of your budget to a new PC.

A metal ring made with a castable 3D printed model. Source: Formlabs

Applications of jewelry 3D scanning

Jewelers use 3D scanners for many reasons. Some of the more common uses of jewelry 3D scanning include:

Heirloom reproduction

Using a 3D scanner, it is possible to create a 3D model of a valuable piece of jewelry, which can then be used to create a replica using 3D printing and casting techniques.

Customers may wish to create copies of a family heirloom to give to other family members, or so they can wear the duplicate while keeping the original safe.

Matching wedding bands

Many customers demand wedding bands that match the scale of their engagement ring. By 3D scanning the engagement ring, it is easy to create a matching wedding band using the digital model.

Stone setting

Jewelers often need to create new rings and settings for existing precious stones. By 3D scanning the gemstone, the jeweler can use the 3D model to create a setting that perfectly fits the stone.

Quality control

Even jewelers committed to traditional techniques may find 3D scanning useful as a tool for quality control. By scanning finished pieces, the jeweler can accurately measure overall dimensions and detailed features (a.k.a. metrology).

Reverse engineering and repairs

3D scanning jewelry allows jewelers to take an existing piece and build on the digital model in various ways. They may use the 3D model to create a new piece with modifications or to repair a damaged piece.

Archiving, concept showcasing, distribution

Once a jeweler has obtained a 3D scan of an item of jewelry, the digital file can be stored on a hard drive for safekeeping or uploaded to the internet.

Some modern jewelers sell their creations as digital files, allowing the customer to print the design themselves or through a 3D printing service.

Unique advantages of 3D jewelry scanning

3D scanning jewelry has benefits for both jewelers and customers when compared with traditional methods of jewelry creation, jewelry repair, and jewelry commerce.

• Speed: The speed that 3D scanning provides is vital for jewelers, who might otherwise spend many hours manually designing a piece to a similar level of detail.
• Accuracy: If a scanner is properly calibrated, it can reach a high level of accuracy. This is especially important with, for example, custom rings designed to fit the customer, or for perfect-fit gemstone settings.
• Permanent record: 3D scanning produces a permanent digital record of a piece of jewelry which can be revisited at any future point.
• Efficiency: Scanning is efficient because it only needs to take place once, even if thousands of duplicates will be made with the resulting digital file.
• 3D printing: 3D scanners can export files into a 3D printable format such as STL. Jewelers can use a 3D printed wax model to create a functional metal cast.

Current limitations of jewelry 3D scanning

Jewelry 3D scanning is still a new and developing process, and there are several areas where it could — and will — improve.

• Post processing: Even high-end 3D scanners produce partially incomplete models, and it is almost always necessary to fine-tune the resulting model (hole filling, smoothing, etc.)..
• Reflective surfaces: The shiny surfaces of metal objects reflect LED projections and lasers, confusing the data received by the scanner. Applying matte spray, which is the most common solution to this problem, is not always feasible with delicate or fragile pieces.
• Material recognition: A scanner cannot yet differentiate between metal and a precious stone. This means, for example, that a diamond ring is processed as one solid shape, not as one object (diamond) within another (ring).
• Formats: Exported file formats like OBJ and STL may present compatibility issues, since they are not easily editable like a CAD file.
• Conversion: Converting a mesh or point cloud into a 3D model is much more difficult than converting in the opposite direction.

FAQ

How do you scan jewelry?

For professional-quality jewelry 3D scanning, you need a dedicated jewelry 3D scanner or a scanner designed to scan small objects.

Which 3D scanners are best for jewelry scanning?

Most dedicated jewelry 3D scanners are structured light scanners, which use high-resolution cameras and LED projectors.

Will all jewelry be 3D printed in the future?

Combining 3D scanning with 3D printing allows jewelers to create new pieces using the traditional investment casting process. 3D printing is not yet used to print the actual piece of jewelry, although there are a few exceptions (plastic pendants, for example).

Can you 3D scan a wedding ring?

Jewelers frequently use 3D scanning to create wedding bands that match an engagement ring in size and style. Wedding rings can also be saved as digital files or duplicated.

The Best Jewelry 3D Scanners [2022]

Jewelry 3D scanners have revolutionized how jewelers approach the task of repairing, reproducing, and designing rings, bracelets, fittings, mounts, and so much more, saving both time and money in the process.

Fast, efficient, and incredibly easy to use, they are arguably one of the most critical advancements in the industry in recent years.

You’ve come to the right place if you’re looking to level up your jewelry service with some bleeding-edge technological help. This guide will highlight a curated selection of the best jewelry 3D scanners currently available. 

We’ve covered a range of price points to suit both solo jewelers and larger setups with cash to throw around, but all these are strong picks regardless of their price tag.

Why 3D Scan Jewelry

Jewelers can obtain highly-accurate, quick, and relatively cheap digital models of existing jewelry pieces and gemstones thanks to a 3D scanner.

This digitization of jewelry has many benefits and uses for jewelers, chiefly replication, adjustments, design, and repairs, or to fast track the creation of high-resolution resin, silicone, or wax molds for traditional molding and casting.

Uses of 3D Scanning Jewelry

Replication/Duplication: Using a jewelry 3D scanner to create a digital model of an antique, custom, or heirloom piece allows a jeweler to quickly and easily create a duplicate.

This can be done both as insurance for precious items or to create a copy for customers to wear while the original remains under lock and key for safekeeping.

Repairs: An editable and modifiable 3D model of a broken piece of jewelry allows jewelers to create modified, custom molds to cast a replacement.

With a 3D model, jewelers can also quickly take stock of what needs repairing without dismantling the piece.

Design: 3D scanning opens new opportunities in the jewelry design phase. With the ability to scan objects from the world around them, jewelers can quickly and cheaply experiment and prototype new designs and ideas.

From personalized pieces for specific customers to radically new designs, jewelry 3D scanners blow the creative possibilities wide open.

Setting: By scanning stones, jewelers can create settings, rings, and designs perfectly sized and shaped to fit.

Similarly, 3D scanning existing engagement rings to capture fit and design details greatly simplifies the creation of matching wedding bands.

Quality Inspection: 3D scanning pieces or even molds to obtain exact measurements allows jewelers to pick up on discrepancies or faults and implement adjustments before committing to an entire production run, saving time and money.

Archiving: 3D scanning jewelry is a cost-effective way to create a digital archive for valuation, insurance, or the conservation of degraded old pieces prone to decay.

How Jewelry 3D Scanners Work

Jewelry 3D scanners employ structured light technology, much like traditional 3D scanners.

The scanner beams a light pattern, usually an LED, onto the object’s surface. A rotating turntable ensures the light hits the object from all angles.

A set of cameras record how the object distorts, deforms, and reflects the light, translating it into a 3D model matching the object’s dimensions and shape via software.

Aside from placing the object on the turntable and triggering the scan, the process is often completely automated.

Jewelers can then edit and modify that 3D model in design software such as a CAD suite for replication, repairs, 3D printing, wax/resin castable models, etc.

Best Jewelry 3D Scanners

Artec Micro

• Price: $29,000-$30,000
• Accuracy: 0.01 mm
• Resolution: 0.029 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 90 × 60 × 60 mm
• Technology: Structured light

The Artec Micro is a professional, fully-automated desktop-sized 3D scanner with usability and precision at its core.

The Artec delivers pristine models up to 0.01 mm accuracy and a sharp, detailed 0.029 mm resolution with one simple click.

The Artec Micro comes housed in a single all-in-one semi-enclosed shell, fitted with a height-adjustable dual-axis turntable that both pitches and rotates to capture an object’s intricacies.

There are two dual-color cameras, and a blue LED light source capable of scanning in full color.

The Artec Micro has an automatic mode that chooses the optimum scanning path and frame count to keep both scan times and 3D model file sizes to a minimum.

Artec Studio, the software suite that comes with the Micro, offers useful functions such as real-time in-progress scan preview and easy model exporting to all the most popular CAD software.

Though the Artec Micro is suited to various applications, it hits its stride with jewelry thanks to the ability to take an intricate piece such as a brooch, ring, or single gemstone and create a high-precision digital equivalent in minutes.

From there, jewelers can tinker and modify the 3D model for repairs, replication, refitting, and more.

Medit Solutionix D700

• Price: $24,000-$25,000
• Accuracy: 0.01 mm
• Resolution: 0.029 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 90 x 60 x 60 mm
• Technology: Structured light

Designed and manufactured by Medit, the Solutionix D700 is a professional-grade semi-enclosed 3D scanner particularly well suited to jewelry.

It specializes in the scanning of small objects with complex geometries.

The Medit Solutionix D700 excels at capturing the surface intricacies of a gemstone, fine details and all, at the high level of precision required by jewelry applications.

It does this thanks to a crisp 0.029 mm resolution allied to a 0.01 mm accuracy, powered by a duo of 6.4 MP cameras and a blue LED light source.

Like the Artec Micro, the Medit Solutionix D700 aims to deliver effortless scanning. Firing up a scan is as hands-off as it gets, requiring you to position the object on the turntable and click once to start scanning.

The scanner automates the rest of the process, scanning objects from multiple angles to create a complete triangle mesh with vivid color texture, exportable to CAD software.

Other notable features include automatic calibration, a scanning path generation tool, and active synchronization.

B9 Scan 350

• Price: $13,000-$15,000
• Accuracy: 0.015 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 90 x 80 x 55 mm
• Technology: Structured light

With the B9 Scan 350, B9 Creations are solely focused on providing a 3D scanner suited from the ground up for jewelry.

It’s a desktop-sized option that ships in a compact, fully-enclosed body designed to provide the perfect environment to capture every facet and angle of a piece in great detail.

On the technology side, the B9 Scan 350 combines a blue LED 100 ANSI-lumen structured light, dual 1. 3 MP cameras, and a two-axis turntable for 360° scans.

The machine pushes a 0.015 mm accuracy – a bargain considering it costs nearly half the price of market-leading options like the Artec Micro.

It requires minimal setup and the bundled Leios 2 software works a treat, processing high-quality scans in minutes.

Whether you’re reproducing heirloom jewelry, scanning gemstones, or repairing, the B9 Scan 350 is a solid and relatively affordable choice.

Shining 3D AutoScan Sparkle

• Price: $13,000-$14,000
• Accuracy: 0.01 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 100 x 100 x 75 mm
• Technology: Structured light

Another scanner designed exclusively to capture the intricacies and detail of jewelry, the AutoScan Sparkle comes from Shining 3D, one of the leading brands of industry-grade handheld scanners.

With that know-how transferred to the AutoScan Sparkle, the company has created a compact desktop machine that, through a combination of AI scanning algorithms, one-click scanning, and powerful JewelScan software, makes easy work of creating digitized versions of even the most complex jewelry pieces.

The AutoScan Sparkle features a three-axis multi-angle scanning turntable, blue LED light source, dual 5.0 MP cameras, 0.01 mm metrology-grade accuracy, and, unusually for jewelry 3D scanners, an above-average 100 x 100 x 75 mm scannable area.

A sleek, compact design with a hinged front panel sees it meld seamlessly into any jewelry workshop or design studio.

Like the B9 Scan 350, the AutoScan Sparkle hits a price point that’s appealing to jewelers on a tight budget, especially considering you won’t find a three-axis turntable on those pricier alternatives.

Aurum LT

• Price: $17,000-$18,000
• Accuracy: 0.01 mm
• Resolution: 0.086 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 110 x 95 mm
• Technology: Structured light

With a focus on capturing highly-detailed scans of small, complex objects such as jewelry, Open Technologies’ Aurum LT is another jewelry 3D scanner well worth adding to your shortlist.

It easily captures all the fine detail of even the most complex gemstones.

The Aurum LT boasts one of the largest scannable areas on the market, hitting a roomy 110 x 95 mm.

While not the best out there, the 0.086 mm resolution is sufficient for producing detail-rich scans of everything from bands to odd-shaped gemstones.

It also features a 360° turntable, two 2.62 MP cameras, one-click scan triggering, and the Open Technologies’ Optical RevEng software, which is stacked with mesh repair options, alignment profiles, and exportable formats for CAD editing.

D3D-s 3D Jewelry Scanner

• Price: $6,000-$8,000
• Resolution: 0.010 mm
• Max Scan Volume: 100 x 130 mm
• Technology: Structured light

Born of a successful Kickstarter campaign, the D3D-s 3D Jewelry Scanner is one of the most affordable jewelry 3D scanners available.

D3D-s offers such a low price by producing in small batches to keep costs down without sacrificing the quality of the scanned models.

Instead of the industry-standard light pattern scanning method, the D3D-s Jewelry Scanner uses LED-line technology to create a more uniform capture.

The scanner has six degrees of freedom, meaning it can tilt and rotate to capture every aspect of an object for a complete scan with next to no user input.

It features a 5 MP camera capable of a 0.010 mm resolution, a roomy 100 x 130 mm scan area, and compatibility with in-house D3D-s-developed software that allows export to popular CAD suites like Blender, Maya, ZBrush, and many others.

FAQs

Can you 3D scan a wedding ring?

Yes, absolutely.

Scanning both wedding rings and engagement rings is a service a steadily growing number of jewelers are starting to offer, whether to create custom-fitted wedding bands or produce a striking ring at a much lower price.

Additionally, 3D scanning allows jewelers to create 3D models of heirloom wedding rings passed down through the generations for repairs, replication, insurance against loss or irreparable damage, or replacing an aging fitting.

How to choose a 3D scanner for jewelry?

When choosing a jewelry 3D scanner, consider specifications such as accuracy and resolution.

These largely determine what jewelry you can scan and the quality and precision of these scans. We recommend at least a 0.01 mm accuracy and a 0.2 mm resolution for solid results.

Price is also a significant consideration. You can expect to pay anywhere from $8,000 for the lowest cost professional jewelry 3D scanner to $30,000 for the most advanced, high-precision options.

How easy is it to 3D scan jewelry for 3D printing?

Extremely so.

Most jewelry 3D scanners feature one-touch scanning. The process is automated, leaving you with a 3D model that you can quickly process into a format compatible with a high-resolution resin SLA 3D printer. 

Choose your object, place it on the scanner, trigger the scan, then process the results via software to obtain the model.

Although we recommend some experience, the process is unlikely to overwhelm first-timers thanks to clear instructions, user-friendly functionality, and intuitive controls.

Other articles you may be interested in:

• The Revopoint POP 2 hands-on review
• The best cheap 3D scanners
• DIY 3D scanners and 3D printable 3D scanners reviewed
• The best 3D scanner apps

Useful articles and examples of 3D scanning

Partners

3D scanning allows jewelers to significantly speed up the process of jewelry production, which is important in the modern pace of life and great competition. Jewelry workshops simply cannot afford to spend time and labor resources fulfilling orders, while realizing that there will be few customers willing to overpay for manual labor. 3D modeling with subsequent cutting of the wax model on a CNC machine helps to save manufacturing time, which means they allow you to do more work.

Mousson, a loyal customer of RangeVision, creates jewelry in a modern and classic style.

Mousson Atelier craftsmen have a modern and high-tech jewelry production, so they also use the RangeVision PRO 2M 3D scanner at certain stages. Its equipment includes 25 mm lenses, a turntable and a 40x40 mm calibration field for scanning small objects.

You can view interactive 3D models of Mermaid jewelery made with the RangeVision PRO 2M 3D scanner.

How does the Mousson Atelier jewelry creation process work? We are ready to lift the veil of secrecy! In this article, we will tell you about how 3D models of Mousson Atelier jewelry are created using the RangeVision PRO 2M 3D scanner.

The decoration in the photo is made of translucent green wax, so it is coated with a special matting spray before scanning. This procedure avoids the refraction of light, which can lead to distortion in the model.

In order to fix the object in the center of the turntable, craftsmen use plasticine.

When preparing for the 3D scanning process, jewelers from St. Petersburg create a project in the RangeVision ScanCenter program, set the necessary parameters depending on the complexity of the object - the number of turns and the angle for the turntable.

The function that allows you to set your own scanning parameters on the turntable is very important when digitizing items such as jewelry. Increasing the rotation of the table provides greater detail when digitizing complex shapes and fine details.

The use of a turntable ensures that the pieces are automatically placed in the correct position, resulting in a complete 3D model. Scanning on a turntable increases the speed of digitizing objects by 3 times due to the parallelization of processes: while the previous scan is being processed, the next one is being captured.

After scanning the object from one side, the jeweler turns it over so as to digitize the rest of its parts that are not visible from above. Subsequently, these fragments will be automatically combined in the RangeVision ScanCenter program, which is supplied with any RangeVision 3D scanner and is designed for fast processing of scan results.

In order to combine groups of scans, one of three stitching options is used: automatic by geometry, by three points or manual. Depending on the size and shape of the piece of jewelry, the craftsman can choose the stitching method that suits him, which is convenient.

3D resolution plays a key role in jewelry production. This parameter indicates what is the minimum element on the object that will be visible on the 3D model. RangeVision PRO 2M has a 3D resolution of up to 0.3 mm, which allows you to achieve maximum detail when digitizing miniature objects (less than 3 cm).

The figure below shows the result of a 3D scan. Jewelers do all the necessary initial processing - remove "noise" and unnecessary elements, in the RangeVision ScanCenter program. Voids, which usually remain in places where the model is difficult to scan, are sewn up by Mousson Atelier specialists in the Leios program. It can also do smoothing and other refinement of the final 3D model.

The models obtained using the RangeVision PRO 3D scanner have accurate detailing, which allows you to see the smallest elements.

We told you about how 3D models of Mousson jewelry are created. You can watch the full story behind the creation of one Mousson piece of jewelry in this video.

Mermaid Ring by rvscanners on Sketchfab

Mermaid Earring by rvscanners on Sketchfab

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Jewelery 3D Scanner Wide Range of Applications

Jewelery

Experts recommend

Author: Semyon Popadiuk

Author: Semyon Popadiuk

1. Modify existing models | 2. Create an individual design | 3. Ensure the perfect fit | 4. Save your jewelry | 5. Repair damaged jewelry | 6. Identify flaws at the design stage

Have you ever wondered how 3D scanning can improve the design and manufacturing process of jewelry? 3D scanning is a fast, accurate and cost-effective method of capturing detailed information about jewelry and digitizing that information.

By incorporating a 3D scanner into your workflow, you will not only save money and reduce production costs, but also be able to meet a wide range of market demands. In this article, we list only six ways that a 3D scanner can be used by your business in the design and manufacture of jewelry.

1. Modify existing models

By scanning an existing piece of jewelry, you get a base model that is easy to modify with CAD software. This means that you can create an entire line based on this model without having to disassemble the original product. In addition, with a base model file, you can easily modify old jewelry to give it a modern look, or create a single style design that can be seen in a variety of jewelry such as earrings, pendants and charm bracelets.

2. Customize your design

Inspiration can be drawn from everything that surrounds us. However, until recently, bringing many ideas to life was not easy, because some objects are too difficult to measure to use as a starting point in design. Now this problem is in the past. Thanks to 3D scanning, you can digitize literally anything you want when designing, whether it's a piece of rock, a leaf of a plant, or even your pet's paws! Expand your creative horizons and create personalized items for your customers that will become great memorabilia for them.

3. Ensure the perfect fit

You don't have to worry about fitting gemstones to your creations at all. The 3D scanner allows you to create models that are perfectly compatible with the stone, since you can simply scan it in advance. This ensures that the final product will fit the gemstone, meaning you no longer have to worry about fitting or possibly damaging the stone. In addition, you can also scan your client's wedding rings, and their design will then serve as a link between all elements of the wedding ceremony, which will perfectly match the rings.

4. Save your jewelry

By keeping a digital copy of your existing jewelry, you can create replicas in different materials, sizes and thicknesses. This means that you can wear an identical copy of the heirloom, keeping the original in a safe place, and not have to worry about damage or loss of jewelry. The digital archive will also be indispensable for recreating jewelry that may be lost (for example, one earring from a pair).

5. Repair damaged jewelry

Even if you don't already have a digital copy of a piece of jewelry, you can still restore a damaged or broken piece by scanning an existing one and remaking it. Thanks to the high precision of 3D scanners, you will get the perfect solution, especially when used in conjunction with a 3D printer to print a custom mold to produce a finished product.

6. Identify flaws at the design stage

3D scanning provides accurate and detailed information about the jewelry, which allows you to quickly compare the design and the finished product. With 3D scanning of molds or jewelry, you can easily identify any flaws or design errors, making it easy to fix manufacturing defects before manufacturing.

In addition to the ways you can incorporate 3D scanning into your jewelry production above, it is good practice to 3D scan all your existing jewelry (and molds, if any) to create a digital archive.

Digital files can be helpful in valuation, especially when you need insurance against lost items, for example.

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