3D-printing and casting a gold ring with diamond.
In a seamless blend of tradition and technology, Dutch goldsmith Sébastiaan Stevens of Stevens Sieraden is redefining the art of jewelry making. Using wax castable resin and advanced 3D-printing techniques, Stevens brings intricate gold designs to life, combining modern innovation with craftsmanship. Based in the Netherlands, the family-run atelier was founded by Sébastiaan’s father, Raymond Stevens, who began his goldsmithing journey at just sixteen. Today, that passion endures as a proud legacy, carried on and reimagined by his son.
Today, Sébastiaan brings a modern twist to the age-old craft. One of his recent creations—a white gold ring set with a brilliant diamond—showcases his approach. Using Liqcreate Wax Castable resin and 3D-printing technology, Stevens is able to produce highly detailed wax models, which are then cast using traditional techniques. The result? Timeless jewelry pieces with a contemporary edge. Scroll down for a closer look at the process and to view the latest designs.
Image from Stevens Sieraden: The final product, a white golden ring with diamond.
Image from Stevens Sieraden: design of the ring.
Sébastiaan recently found a ring design in his father’s archives and adapted it for modern production using 3D modeling and printing technologies. The design was updated using software such as Blender, a common tool in digital jewelry design due to its precision and flexibility. Once the design was finalized, it was exported to slicing software compatible with 3D printers. Generic programs like Chitubox and Lychee, as well as proprietary software from printer manufacturers can be used for this task. The choice of software depends on the type and brand 3D printer.
In this case, Sébastiaan used Liqcreate Wax Castable, a photopolymer resin suitable for SLA, DLP, and LCD/MSLA printers that operate within a 385–405 nm wavelength range. These technical specifications allow for broad hardware compatibility. Due to the organic shape of the ring, support structures were generated to stabilize the print. Default support parameters, as provided in the resin guidelines, were used. After configuring the print settings, the model was produced via 3D printing.
Post-processing followed standard protocols: two cycles of ultrasonic cleaning in isopropyl alcohol or ethanol, each lasting three minutes. After 30 minutes of resting, the parts are ready for a short UV post-cure to finalize the material properties. The resulting 3D-printed wax model is now ready for investment casting, beginning with attachment to wax sprues and embedding in investment material. This workflow demonstrates the integration of archival design with current digital fabrication techniques, providing a reproducible and scalable process for custom jewelry production.
For the casting phase of production, Stevens Sieraden opted for Optima Prestige, a specialized investment material developed for use with 3D-printed wax-resins. The company adhered closely to the manufacturer’s preparation guidelines, aiming to achieve maximum detail retention and surface quality in the final cast.
Optima Prestige is formulated to accommodate the unique properties of wax-based photopolymer resins used in additive manufacturing. Its composition supports a controlled burnout process, following a resin-specific temperature schedule designed to ensure complete elimination of material without residue—critical for producing clean, high-fidelity metal castings.
Image from Stevens Sieraden: the burn-out cycle used for the manufacturing of this white golden ring with diamond.
Left image: the ring is 3D-printed with Liqcreate Wax Castable resin and ready for further processing.
Right image: casted white golden ring with diamond before polishing.
After the casting stage is complete, the investment material is removed, revealing the white gold ring beneath. The sprues—small channels used to allow molten metal to flow into the mold—are then cut off.
The ring’s surface is smoothed to remove any imperfections left from the sprues or casting. Following this, it is polished to achieve a clean finish. The final step is setting the diamond, completing the ring and preparing to hand over to the customer.
Left image: setting the diamond.
Right image: the final piece after polishing.
About Liqcreate Wax Castable
Liqcreate Wax Castable is a wax-based resin, perfect for manufacturing jewelry, dental and industrial parts using the direct investment casting method. Liqcreate Wax Castable is easy to use on open LCD, MSLA and DLP based 3D-printers in the range of 385 – 420nm. 3D-printed parts from this material captures intricate features and show crisp details. This wax-based material offers smooth surfaces with clean burnout for a reliable casting process. Create custom made elegant organic geometries according to your preferences with excellent casting for positive and negative engravings.
Key benefits |
3D-Printer compatibility |
| · High precision | · Asiga Max and Pro 4K |
| · Wax based | · Phrozen3D series |
| · Clean & ash-free burnout | · Elegoo & Anycubic series |
| · Excellent casting of engravings | · And many more |
