How to Prepare a Jewelry Sketch for CAD Design
What a CAD designer needs from your sketch or reference — views, measurements, stone sizes, metal, finish, file types — so the first draft is right in 2 days.
Updated 11 September 2026
A CAD designer does not need a beautiful drawing. What they need is an unambiguous one: a sketch, photo or reference that answers the questions the model will force them to answer anyway — how wide is the band, what size is the centre stone, how tall does the setting sit, what happens at the back. This guide lists exactly what to include so the first CAD draft matches what you had in mind, and explains what happens to your sketch after you upload it.
What counts as a usable reference
You can start a CAD job from any of these. More than one is better, and a photo of an existing piece plus a note about what to change is often the fastest brief of all.
| Reference type | Good for | What to add |
|---|---|---|
| Hand sketch (pencil, pen, tablet) | New designs, custom pieces | A second view and at least two measurements |
| Photo of an existing piece | Remakes, variations, catalogue re-creation | Ruler or coin in frame for scale; note what to keep and what to change |
| Screenshot or product image from a website | "Something like this" briefs | Say which features matter; we design an original piece, not a copy |
| Existing CAD file (3DM, STL or another common export) | Modifications, resizing, adding stones | The file plus a list of changes |
| Technical drawing with dimensions | Manufacturing-ready work | Metal, stone sizes and finish if not on the drawing |
If your reference is a competitor's product photo, use it to explain proportions and style. The model we build is our own geometry, and we will suggest changes so the design is yours.
The seven things every brief should contain
- Piece type and how it is worn. Ring, pendant, earring (stud, drop, hoop), bracelet, bangle, brooch. For earrings, say whether they are a pair with mirrored geometry.
- At least two views. Top (plan) view plus a side or front profile. A ring drawn only from the top hides the shank thickness, the gallery and how tall the setting sits on the finger — the three things clients most often ask to change after the first draft.
- Key measurements in millimetres. For a ring: finger size (US, UK or inner diameter in mm), band width at the bottom and at the shoulders, band thickness. For a pendant: overall height and width, bail size, and the chain width it must fit. For earrings: overall drop length and post position.
- Stone details. Shape (round, oval, cushion, pear…), size in mm or carat, quantity, and setting style (prong, bezel, pavé, channel, halo). If you know the stone is already cut, give the exact measurements — the seat is modelled to that stone.
- Metal and finish. Yellow, rose or white gold, platinum or silver, and the surface: high polish, brushed, matte, hammered, milgrain edges. Finish affects how thick edges need to be and how the render will look.
- What is fixed and what is flexible. "The centre stone is a client's 1.2 ct oval, everything else is open" is a much better brief than a sketch with no notes. Mark the parts you will not compromise on.
- The end use. Casting and production, a photoreal render for a listing, a 360° video, or all three. Production files need clean, watertight geometry and manufacturing tolerances; a render-only model can prioritise appearance.
Measurements that stop the back-and-forth
These are the numbers we ask for most often when they are missing. Filling them in before you upload usually saves a full revision round.
| Piece | Measurement | Why it matters |
|---|---|---|
| Ring | Finger size | Sets the inner diameter; everything is proportioned to it |
| Ring | Band width (bottom and top) | Decides comfort, weight and whether pavé fits |
| Ring | Setting height above the finger | Low-set vs cathedral changes the whole profile |
| Pendant | Overall height without bail | Fixes the scale on the chest |
| Pendant | Bail inner width | Must clear the chain — a 1.2 mm cable chain and a 4 mm rope chain are very different |
| Earring | Total drop, post-to-bottom | Wearability and weight |
| Any | Centre stone size (mm) | The seat and prongs are built to it |
| Any | Target metal weight, if any | Guides wall thickness and hollowing |
If you do not know a number, say so — we will propose one from standard sizes and mark it in the draft for you to confirm.
Photographing an existing piece for a remake
- Shoot on a plain background in daylight or under even white light, with the piece flat and the camera straight above it.
- Take three photos: top, side, and a three-quarter angle, plus one with a ruler or a coin beside the piece for scale.
- For rings, photograph the inside of the band as well — hallmarks and shank profile.
- Photograph with a phone at full resolution rather than a screenshot of a chat; compression hides the detail we need to read prong shapes and stone counts.
File types we accept and what we deliver
Upload sketches and photos as ordinary image files or a PDF; a phone photo at full resolution is fine. Existing CAD can come as 3DM, STL or most other common exports. For production we deliver in the formats your line needs, including 3DM and STL; see STL vs 3DM for jewelry for which one your caster or printer wants. Renders and videos are delivered from the same file, which is why a good CAD brief is also the start of your listing images.
What happens after you upload
- We check the brief and come back with any questions before modelling starts.
- First CAD draft delivered in 2 days, with screenshots from the same views as your sketch so you can compare directly.
- You mark changes; revisions are part of the job.
- Final files delivered in the formats you need, and optionally the render or video set from the same model.
CAD design starts at $10 per design (indicative; final price depends on complexity). See Pricing or upload your sketch to get a quote.
Checklist before you upload
- Piece type and how it is worn
- Two views: top and side/front
- Finger size or overall dimensions in mm
- Centre and accent stone shapes, sizes and setting style
- Metal colour and surface finish
- What is fixed, what we may change
- End use: production, render, video
- Reference photos at full resolution, with a scale object
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a professional drawing to get a CAD design made?
No. A clear hand sketch with two views and a few measurements in millimetres is enough. A photo of an existing piece with notes on what to change also works.
What measurements does a CAD designer need for a ring?
Finger size, band width at the bottom and at the shoulders, band thickness, the centre stone size in millimetres and how high the setting should sit. If you do not know a value we propose one from standard sizes.
Can you make a CAD design from a photo of another brand's jewelry?
We can use the photo to understand proportions and style, and we design an original piece from it rather than copying it. We will suggest changes so the design is yours.
Which file types can I upload?
Ordinary image files or a PDF for sketches and photos, and 3DM, STL or most other common exports for existing CAD files.
How long does the first CAD draft take?
Standard CAD, rendering and animation first drafts are delivered in 2 days, without compromising quality. Complex multi-piece sets may take longer; we confirm the timeline when we confirm the brief.
Do I get the CAD file itself?
Yes. Production-ready files are delivered in the formats your manufacturer needs, including 3DM and STL.
Ready to see your design as a photorealistic render?
Send a sketch, reference photo or existing CAD file and get a quote — every project is covered by NDA.
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