14 DAY TRIAL // Jewelry, like medicine, is one of the fields that took to 3D printing the fastest, after the technology finally became marketing viable two years ago. Now, we can see the latest point scored on this front.
Brilliance is the name of a certain website that is more than that. Specifically, it is an online jewelry shop, where you can go and select your or your loved one's new ring, bracelet, necklace, pendant, etc.
Normally, online shopping isn't ideal for everything. Sure, retailers are awesome, accessible from across the world and generally very, very good to have available even just for browsing.
However, it's better if, say, you're present when you buy clothing, especially formal wear, since it needs to be fitted to your size. Regardless of what some may say, very few people actually conform perfectly to those “standard” sizes you always hear about.
The same goes for jewelry. Fingers can be thinner or thicker, meaning that one ring that's loose on someone will not even go half-way on someone else.
It's a big part of why wedding rings are never taken off. After a point, if you leave it on too long, you can't pull it off very easily. Conversely, if you take it off for a while, you might not manage to slip it back on.
Ensuring the thing fits properly from the onset is even more important. Especially if you're prepared to pay a fortune for the thing. After all, what point would there be to shiny things if you can never get them to stay where they're supposed to?
That's where 3D printing technology comes in, as Brilliance has found. While it can't really be used to make the products themselves, it can definitely serve well in casting.
Not that Brilliance was satisfied with just that. In fact, it went a fair bit further, allowing customers to download a file, use their 3D printer (or a 3D printing shop) to make a replica of the ring, just to try it on for fit. Or Brilliance could ship the plastic replicas itself, that too.
Once you find one that won't slip off your finger, or make you get blisters or tears just from forcing it on your digit, you can order the real thing without any concerns.
Might not be a discrete enough method if you're trying to get something for your better half (unless you test the fit during the night, while he or she is sleeping or something), but it's better than the alternative.