Introduction: People in the jewelry industry often ask Nanji Bear whether it is now possible to 3D print jewelry in gold and platinum. From a technical perspective, it is indeed feasible; however, from an economic standpoint, the high cost of precious metal powders—hundreds of yuan per gram, with a small vat of powder costing millions—poses challenges. The potential for powder waste during the printing process and the cost difference compared to the current wax-spraying and casting methods are not significant enough to justify commercializing precious metal 3D printing products in the global gold and silver jewelry industry. Yet, there will always be those willing to be the first to take the plunge.
△ The Tùsaire series designed by artist Maeve Gillies, produced in collaboration with Italian ProGold.
On July 3, 2025, Nanji Bear learned that the International Platinum Guild (PGI) officially launched the metal 3D printed Tùsaire series, marking a historic breakthrough in the high-end jewelry sector. The Tùsaire series is a platinum jewelry line designed by Scottish-American artist Maeve Gillies using 3D printing technology, representing the world’s first commercial case of platinum jewelry produced using direct metal 3D printing technology, showcasing the immense potential of 3D printing in precious metal craftsmanship, design freedom, and industry sustainability.
The Tùsaire series draws inspiration from the mysterious Caledonian island mythology of Scotland, combining the ancient legend of the “lost Caledonian jewelry” with modern technology. Designer Maeve Gillies skillfully integrates narrative elements into each piece, making every jewelry item not only a wearable work of art but also a vessel of emotion and heritage.
△ Caledonia is a mysterious Celtic island known for its harmony, precious gems, and leadership.
Maeve Gillies, a globally renowned jewelry designer with over 30 years of industry experience, founded the MaeVona brand and has designed jewelry for well-known brands such as Highland Park and Ardbeg. Gillies has been dedicated to merging traditional craftsmanship with innovative technology, particularly excelling in the use of platinum materials. She has a profound understanding of platinum’s toughness and luster, which has played a crucial role in optimizing platinum performance through laser powder bed fusion technology, ultimately achieving shapes and finishes previously thought impossible.
△ The collaboration with Italian ProGold and PGI’s research has overcome the technical barriers of platinum 3D printing jewelry.
Utilizing platinum 3D printing for high-end jewelry.
Unlike other precious metals, platinum is extremely difficult to print due to its high melting point and strength. The Tùsaire project took several months, with the team repeatedly calibrating and redesigning, relying on deep collaboration in the field of materials science, ultimately achieving high-precision 3D printing of platinum. Compared to traditional casting processes, 3D printing not only significantly reduces material waste but also improves laser printing energy efficiency due to platinum’s low reflectivity and good thermal control properties, promoting an upgrade in the concept of environmentally friendly luxury.
The Tùsaire series features a unique hollow structure, interlocking grids, and exquisite details, breaking through the physical limits of traditional craftsmanship, transforming platinum from a dense and hard material into a medium for fluid design expression. Through the customization capabilities of 3D printing, Tùsaire achieves adjustable sizes, modular design elements, and customizable finishes adorned with anodized titanium, greatly enhancing consumer engagement and personalized experience.
PGI CEO Tim Schlick stated at the fifth ORIGINALLUXURY roundtable meeting: “Additive manufacturing technology is crucial for the future of the jewelry industry as it opens up many new possibilities.” ORIGINALLUXURY co-founder Margot Stuart also pointed out: “Cross-sector collaboration is key to redefining platinum’s status in modern luxury goods.”
△ Platinum 3D printed jewelry. However, Nanji Bear must admit that I would never want to wear such jewelry; I simply cannot agree with this aesthetic.
It is worth mentioning that the current price of platinum is more affordable compared to gold, making platinum jewelry more acceptable to consumers. Additionally, unlike the 3D printed precious metal jewelry on the market that is still in the experimental stage, the Tùsaire series is the first large-scale commercial attempt at direct platinum printing, turning theory into a practically viable market product and setting a more referable commercial case for the future design and manufacturing of high-end jewelry.
Precious metal 3D printers.
Nanji Bear hopes that more luxury jewelry can be launched with unique, targeted designs suitable for metal printing, potentially creating a new realm.
Italian metal 3D printer manufacturer Sisma has achieved good results in the field of precious metal printing. At the 2024 Formnext exhibition in Germany, Nanji Bear saw many jewelry cases they printed.
In Shenzhen, China, Xihe Additive has launched a small precious metal 3D printer using green laser technology, capable of effectively printing materials such as gold and platinum.
△ Precious metal jewelry 3D printer.
In August 2024, Xihe Additive officially launched the XH-M100G precious metal & research dedicated green laser 3D printer, tailored to the special needs of the precious metal and research industries, matching multiple optical and structural design innovations to fully leverage the unique advantages of green laser technology. The XH-M100G has a forming size of φ100*100mm, equipped with a domestically developed 532nm wavelength single-mode continuous green fiber laser. The unique optical system design achieves high-precision printing; the innovative powder feeding structure design and convenient powder recovery structure minimize startup costs and reduce material waste. The materials are compatible with precious metals such as gold, platinum, and silver925, and also compatible with common high-reflective, difficult-to-melt materials and their composites, making it an ideal tool for new material testing and development.
In June 2025, the “Nanji Bear 3D Printing” public account published a series of attention-grabbing articles that sparked a heated discussion in the 3D printing field. These articles covered industry dynamics, technological advancements, application cases, and more, presenting readers with a rich picture of the 3D printing industry.For example:1. “3D Printed Landmines Cost Less Than $50, Ukrainian Soldiers Buy Chinese Consumer-Level 3D Printers in Bulk to Produce Them”2. “China’s First Batch of 3D Printing Undergraduates Have Graduated, What Does the Future Hold?”3. “Is 3D Printing High Risk? Shanghai Emergency Management Bureau Conducts Enterprise Survey Work”4. “3D Printing Farms Erupt, Attracting Attention from Xinhua News and Shanghai Securities Journal”5. “Notice: Chinese 3D Printing Farms/Service Factories May Accidentally Receive Foreign Military Orders”6. “LABUBU Infringement Case Verdict! 3D Printing Players Should Be Careful of ‘Ten Thousand Yuan Bills'”7. “If Tuo Bamboo Goes Public Today, Its Market Value May Exceed 100 Billion, Consumer-Level 3D Printing Grows Rapidly”8. “AI Automatically Generates 3D Models, Tripo is Crazy Output by 3D Printing Farm Owners”9. “From Bankruptcy to Becoming a Millionaire with an Annual Income of 50 Million, My 3D Printing Entrepreneurship Story”10. “Yijia Sanwei Impacts Sci-Tech Innovation Board IPO, Over 100 ‘Super Rice’ Metal 3D Printers Delivered by 2024”11. “LABUBU Priced Over a Thousand Yuan, Now Available for Just a Few Yuan! The Plastic Moutai Under the 3D Printing Craze: When Scarcity Meets Technological Democratization”If you haven’t seen them yet, feel free to check them out; you will definitely gain something.