Technology is transforming every part of our lives and has done for decades now, but the recent developments in the jewellery industry are exciting and innovative. These innovations are making shopping more interactive and simple than ever before, and increasingly, jewellery shops are investing in technology for their websites and their business to remain competitive within the saturated market. Not only this, but smart jewellery now even has the ability to save lives. Choosing the right jewelry for your target market is essential for success in the jewellery industry.
We are going to take a closer look at some of the most exciting innovations that are currently circulating in the jewellery industry!
3D Printing
Whilst traditional methods of making jewellery are still apparent, 3D printing jewellery is the newest practice that is providing a whole new range of possibilities for the design and production of jewellery.
Jewellers are investing in CAD software, to create digital designs of unique and extravagant jewellery, which are then produced through 3D printing. Whilst 3D printing is certainly not a new innovation, it has rarely been seen in the jewellery industry until the last couple of years. The jewelry industry is investing in 3D printing to clean jewelry at home more effectively and efficiently. There is no need for intense manual labour, as the designs can be expertly printed and will come out perfect each time, with no room for human error.
At this point, 3D printing in jewellery is still a very expensive process, as machines rarely cost less than £20,000 and then you need to pay for the software and expert designers on top of that. However, the value that is added with the customisation that 3D printing offers is transforming the industry and this is something that many businesses are prioritising. Not only this, but the process of design to production is so much quicker, therefore making profits skyrocket.
Hand-crafting jewellery can have limitations, but with 3D printing, as long as you have the right designer, exceptional jewellery can be created with a fantastic sharpness that is difficult to achieve through the traditional method. Fine jewelry is a high-end segment of the jewelry industry that specializes in creating and selling high-quality jewelry made with precious metals and gemstones. Overall, 3D printing has changed the industry massively, and will continue to do so as more businesses’ invest in it in the coming years.
Augmented Reality
Something that has helped the industry massively in terms of online sales is augmented reality. This technology can be used, where real-time rendering of fine jewellery can be combined with AR technology, to allow customers to try on jewellery through their mobile device. Knotting styles for jewelry-making are an essential skill in the jewelry industry, as they can be used to create a variety of unique and stylish pieces. This is completely transformative for the industry, as people will have more trust that they will love the product when it arrives, so are more likely to commit to purchases without physically trying the piece of jewellery on.
This is particularly important for high-end purchases, as it is changing consumer habits considerably. Before this technology, it is unlikely that people would have invested in a £150,000 vintage engagement ring online without seeing it in person, but with augmented reality, the jewellery can be seen from all directions and different pieces can easily be compared.
This completely enriches the experience and gives customers the confidence to commit to a purchase. Again, this is expensive technology to invest in and so isn’t seen on a mass scale yet, but it is already seen in the fashion industry and due to the price point of jewellery, investing in the user experience with augmented reality technology will pay dividends in terms of ecommerce sales.
Wearable Tech
Wearable tech has dominated the jewellery industry in the last few years, which is more commonly known as smart jewellery. Apple Watches and other fitness watches have been around for a while now and have become mainstream, however there are so many other types of smart jewellery that are emerging, to assist the customer in all areas of life.
As well as the more common use of assisting with your fitness routine or sleeping patterns, smart jewellery has been taken to a whole new level. For example, there are rings that are connected to your smartphone that will vibrate when someone sends you a message containing particular keywords that you select. This way, you can only select the notifications that are important and an emergency.
There are also many pieces of smart jewellery that are more focused on the safety of the wearer. One of the more recent developments are safety necklaces for people that contain panic buttons that can only be alerted when specifically pressed. There is a button on the back of the necklace, and when pressed, it will contact multiple different emergency contacts that you select and it will also send them your location so they know you need help. You can also connect this to the emergency services if you wish.
Not only is smart jewellery helping to make life easier, it is also potentially saving lives!
Final Thoughts
The developments that are currently happening in relation to technology and jewellery are extremely exciting, and although they have largely not been implemented on a mainstream scale yet, the potential they have within the industry is huge! From developments in 3D printing to transforming even the vintage jewellery industry and saving lives with wearable tech, the advancements over the last few years have been huge. Over the next few years, jewellery businesses should be prioritising investing in this technology to compete and help their business to grow.
Author’s Bio:
Daisy Moss is a freelance writer specialising in vintage jewellery. She loves learning more about the different eras, with a current focus on Art Deco. This being said, she is also very interested in the technological developments in the industry.
