cape town jewellery design
Work directly with Russell and Nathan Lavigre, our third-generation master goldsmiths, to design your own jewellery piece. This father-son team brings decades of expertise to your custom design – Russell has spent 28 years perfecting his craft, while Nathan grew up in the workshop, developing an innate understanding of how metals and gems work together. They’ll guide you through what’s possible, knowing instantly which stone shapes will work best with your chosen design. Each custom piece they create carries a bit of South African soul, combining local metals, African gems, and generations of craftsmanship.
Our design service is tailored to your needs, making use of traditional drawing methods and current CAD technology.
CAD jewellery design works by using specialised 3D design software to create precise, digital models of jewellery before it’s made.
It combines artistic creativity with engineering accuracy, and is now standard in modern jewellery manufacturing.
The process is a step by step journey in creating your one-of-a-kind piece of jewellery;
1. Concept Development
- Our team starts with building your idea — sometimes from a sketch, mood board or existing piece of jewellery you wish to remodel
- Together we determine the style, gemstones, materials, and proportions.
- This stage is about visualising the piece before any technical modelling.
2. 3D Modelling in CAD Software
- Using software like RhinoGold and MatrixGold, your jewellery is modelled digitally.
- We build the piece to exact measurements, down to fractions of a millimetre.
- CAD allows:
- Complex shapes and patterns that are hard to achieve by hand.
- Precision for stone settings, prongs, and symmetry.
- Easy adjustments for resizing or altering design elements.
3. Rendering
- The 3D model is turned into photo-realistic images
- Rendering simulates materials like gold, platinum, or silver and different gemstones, so you can see exactly how it will look.
- This helps in approvals before moving into workshop production, reducing costly mistakes.
4. Conversion to CAM for Manufacturing
- The CAD file is exported into a format for CAM (Computer-Aided Manufacturing), usually STL.
- A 3D printer (often using wax or resin) prints a precise model of the jewellery.
- This model is then used for lost wax casting (traditional casting using the printed wax model).
5. Casting & Finishing
- In lost wax casting, the printed model is encased in plaster, wax is melted away, and molten metal is poured in.
- After casting, our master goldsmiths:
- File, polish, and assemble the piece.
- Set stones using hand tools or microscopes.
- Apply finishing touches like engraving or texture.
6. Final Quality Control
The piece is checked for:
- Accuracy to the CAD design.
- Symmetry and polish.
- Secure stone settings.
FAQs
Are the tours family-friendly?
Yes, the tours are accessible to all ages (apart from the Deetlefs wine tasting). Tweens, teens, and young adults will especially enjoy the AR photo booth for dazzling selfies, and there is a safe relaxation corner with activity books, high-speed Wi-Fi, sofas, coffee, chocolate, and a laptop counter.
Do the experiences appeal to adults or kids?
The experiences are interesting for both kids and adults and are tweaked according to the audience. The exhibits are interactive, with elements like AR and VR experiences that appeal to younger ages and elements like fascinating information boards for adults.
Do I have to book, or can I just walk in?
You can walk in or book if you prefer. For bigger groups, booking is advised. Booking ahead also gives us a chance to better customise your experience.
Are the tours and experiences free?
The Signature Tanzanite and Diamond Tour, AR and VR experiences, and viewing the collections are all free (of all the free activities in Cape Town, these are the most sparkling!) Please enquire about the Deetlefs Wine Tasting and Afrikoa Chocolate Tasting, as the price is dependent on how many people and tastings are involved. Appointments with our master goldsmiths for custom jewellery design are free, and they will provide you with a quote for your pieces.
Do I have to tour the exhibits with a guide, or can I browse at my leisure?
You can browse at your leisure and/or book with one of our knowledgeable guides to show you around – they know all the fascinating stories and have in-depth knowledge about all things diamonds and tanzanite.
How do I book my tour/experience?
You can call 021 425 1970 or email [email protected]
Are you open seven days a week and on public holidays?
We are open every day from 9 am to 7 pm and on public holidays.