Researchers Grow Rubies and Sapphires Inside 3D Printed Platinum

"A team at the Centre for Print Research (CFPR) at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol) has developed a method for placing a seed crystal inside a platinum structure during manufacture. The gemstone can then grow directly within the part. Led by researcher Sophie Boons, the project is called neo-gemstone. It aims to grow rubies and sapphires in platinum settings using scraps and offcuts from existing gemstones, rather than mining them or growing them in an industrial environment."

"The team instead used a HAAS 5-axis milling machine equipped for wire laser metal deposition (W-LMD), a form of directed energy deposition (DED), and 5-axis CNC machining. W-LMD builds the part layer by layer while keeping it accessible. The team can pause deposition, position the seed manually and then continue manufacturing. Deposition and finish machining take place on the same machine, so the team does not need to transfer the part to a second station."

Would be cool to gift someone a 3D printed ring with a lab grown gem inside!

Full Article: https://www.3dnatives.com/en/growing-gemstones-3d-printed-platinum-30092026/