The Xact3D Journal
Short reads for working jewelers.
Quoting, CAD, casting, gold and diamonds — one practical idea per article, about three minutes each.
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7 CAD Details That Look Right on Screen and Fail in Production
A render can show things metal cannot do. Seven design details to question before a file goes to casting.
October 9, 2026
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What Private Label Jewelry Includes, and What It Does Not
Private label is often a sales phrase with no fixed meaning. Know the deliverables, and ask about the ones that are not automatic.
October 9, 2026
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Minimums, Samples, Molds and Reorders: What You Are Actually Paying For
Four line items shape the cost of a first run. Know what each one covers and which can be credited against the order.
October 9, 2026
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Printed Wax, Castable Resin, CNC or Metal Printing: Which for Which Job?
Four ways to turn a CAD file into a piece. Each suits a different job, and the right choice depends on shape, quantity and finish.
October 9, 2026
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Deposits and Repricing Clauses for Custom Jewelry Orders
A custom order commits you to metal and stones before the piece exists. Four short clauses protect that commitment.
October 9, 2026
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12 Things to Send Your Manufacturer Before Asking for a Quote
A complete brief gets you a faster, more accurate quote. Here is the checklist to send with every custom request.
October 9, 2026
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CAD Render or Wax Model: What Is Your Client Actually Approving?
A render shows how a piece looks. A printed model shows how it fits and sits. Know which approval covers what before you cast.
October 9, 2026
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Who Owns the CAD File After You Pay for the Design?
Paying for a design does not always mean owning the file. Settle ownership, reorders and exclusivity before the work starts.
October 9, 2026
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The 24-Hour Gold Quote: A Simple Policy That Protects Your Margin
When gold moves by the day, a quote needs an expiry date. A short policy protects your margin and keeps your client informed.
October 9, 2026
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Lab-Grown or Natural? A Sales Script That Keeps Trust and Margin
Clients arrive with opinions on both. A calm, honest script lets you sell either one without discounting yourself into a corner.
October 9, 2026
Newsletter
News from the workshop
New ring designs, diamonds worth a look, and what we are working on — a few times a year, never more than we have something to say.
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