How Jewel District Revolutionizes Jewelry Design with 3D Printing Technology
From Viral Apps to Lasting Creations: The Birth of Jewel District
Sungdo Lee, the entrepreneur behind hit apps like Harlem Shake Booth (12 million downloads), shifted focus from fleeting digital entertainment to enduring physical craftsmanship. Recognizing the short lifespan of apps, Lee turned to 3D printing technology to build a sustainable business in the jewelry industry.
“We wanted to create something with longevity,” Lee explains. “3D-printed jewelry emerged as the perfect intersection of innovation and timeless artistry.”
Breaking Barriers in Jewelry Production
Traditional jewelry making presents significant challenges:
- High material costs (precious metals, gemstones)
- Labor-intensive techniques like lost-wax casting
- Limited design possibilities due to manual constraints
Jewel District eliminates these barriers by offering:
- Digital-first design process
- Precision 3D printing at 30-micron resolution
- Professional finishing by Seoul’s master jewelers
The 3D Printing Advantage: Precision Meets Creativity
Jewel District’s innovative process:
- Designers upload 3D models
- Wax prototypes printed in ultra-fine layers
- Cast in brass or sterling silver (gold coming soon)
- Professional electroplating, polishing, and stone setting
- Quality inspection before shipping
Production time: 5-10 days, depending on design complexity and finishing techniques like oxidation.
Empowering Designers with Advanced Capabilities
The company serves:
- Professional jewelry brands
- Independent designers
- Aspiring creators
Recent service expansion includes:
- Molding services for small-batch production
- Future marketplace for direct-to-consumer sales
- Planned stone-setting features
The Future of Jewelry Manufacturing
With initial funding from app revenue, Jewel District is:
- Seeking external investment
- Expanding material and production options
- Developing volume ordering systems
“Our vision is to become the global leader in 3D-printed fine jewelry,” says Lee. “We’re creating an ecosystem where designers can focus purely on creativity while we handle production.”
This innovative approach promises to democratize jewelry design while maintaining the highest standards of craftsmanship, merging cutting-edge technology with timeless artistry.
