Like all other artforms, the process of jewelry making is a work in progress, constantly evolving and adapting to new techniques and technologies. From shells and stone that have been fashioned into beads, to lab-grown diamonds and laser-cut gemstones, it is no surprise that jewelry and technology have gone hand-in-hand. Modern technology continues to revolutionize the jewelry industry, pushing the boundaries of traditional design and manufacturing.
So when Tanner Aikens set out to fashion his own jewelry, it was only natural that he turned to 3D printing. With plans of proposing to his girlfriend of six years, Aikens (M.S. ’25, B.S. ’24) was inspired by his graduate additive manufacturing course at CMU to craft several pieces of custom jewelry to match the engagement ring he picked out.
3D printing has been used in jewelry making since the 1990s, but Aikens’ specific design and approach had never been done before, making his project novel and one-of-a-kind. Aikens and his girlfriend are mechanical engineers by trade, so it was only fitting to fashion her a necklace in the shape of a helical gear. As it turns out, the process of making this gear-shaped pendant come to life was much more difficult than he first thought.
