Filed in Guides — June 1, 2026
How to frame a jewellery brief before CAD
The information to gather before starting a 3D file: dimensions, stones, setting constraints and expected finishing level.
Why the brief determines the quality of the CAD
A 3D file is built on parameters. If the parameters are vague, the file will be too. The most common consequence of a poorly framed brief is a series of back-and-forth during modelling: every question left unanswered at the start becomes an interruption during the work.
Framing a brief properly does not take much time, but it significantly changes the quality and speed of the result. It is the step that transforms an intention — an image, an idea, a client request — into usable parameters for 3D modelling.
The information to gather before modelling
Before starting a 3D file, some information is essential: the type of jewellery, the planned metal or alloy, overall dimensions (height, width, thickness), expected finishing level and any weight or durability constraints.
Other information depends on the specific project: are there stones? What shapes, what carats, what setting type is planned? Is it a creation from scratch or an adaptation of an existing reference? Does the piece need to fit into a series or remain unique?
Stones, dimensions and setting constraints
For a diamond jewel, the brief must specify the planned stone type: natural or lab-grown, shape, size in carat or mm, target colour and clarity where available. This information determines the bezel dimensions, setting depth and metal thicknesses needed around the stone.
The setting type is also a brief parameter, not a decision to make after the CAD. Grain setting, bezel setting, pavé and channel setting do not have the same technical constraints and do not suit the same structures. Specifying this before modelling avoids reworking already-validated areas.
What a clear brief prevents during manufacturing
A well-framed brief reduces risk at every subsequent stage: fewer file changes during modelling, fewer surprises at casting, fewer setting errors. It also allows an earlier estimate of the project cost, since metal, stones and workshop time all depend directly on the brief parameters.
For projects combining CAD, diamond sourcing and manufacturing, a complete brief is the condition for coordinating all three stages effectively. Stones must be sourced to precise criteria that match the 3D file. And the file must anticipate the constraints of the chosen manufacturing process.
