The short answer: whether you can take a CAD design to another maker depends on who owns the file and what was agreed, so ask before you commission and do not assume the file is yours. If sharing is allowed, a clear file format and a written agreement make the handover smooth.
People sometimes want to compare quotes or move a project, particularly when ordering from abroad. This guide explains how it works in general terms.
What a CAD design is
CAD means computer aided design. It is a digital model of the piece used to prepare it for making, showing shapes, measurements and settings. A render is a picture produced from that model, which is not the same thing as the file used for manufacture.
How a CAD model becomes a ring
Once a design is approved, the model is usually prepared for production, often by printing a precise wax or resin version that is then cast in metal. After casting, the piece is cleaned, the stones are set by hand and the metal is polished and finished. Much of the final quality comes from these hand stages, which is why two makers working from the same file can produce rings that look and feel different.
Can you take it elsewhere?
It depends on the agreement. Some makers share the file, sometimes for a fee, and some keep it. We explain our position at the start, and you can ask us at any time.
| Question | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Who owns the file? | Decides whether you can share it. |
| Which format? | Another maker needs a format they can open and use. |
| Is the design finished? | An approved design is clearer to hand over. |
| Is there a fee? | Better agreed in writing before you ask. |
Why designs do not always transfer
- Different makers work with different methods and machines.
- Tolerances and settings are tuned to a maker's own process, so a file made for one workshop may need adjusting in another.
- A stone that was sourced for one design may not suit another.
- Small details, such as the height of a setting, may be adapted to the stone chosen.
If you do move it
- Get permission in writing.
- Ask for the right file format.
- Ask the other maker whether they can use it, and whether they would check it first.
- Agree who is responsible for the result.
Responsibility for the result
When one maker designs a piece and another makes it, it can be unclear who is responsible if something goes wrong, such as a stone that does not sit well or a band that is the wrong thickness. Agree this in writing before any work starts. The maker who does the making is usually best placed to stand behind the finished piece, which is one reason many people keep design and making together.
Respect for the maker
A design is creative work. Using it without permission can cause problems for everyone involved. This is general information, not legal advice, and a qualified lawyer can advise on your own situation.
A better route
If you are unsure, talk to us before the design is finished. We can discuss changes, options and what suits you, and often what people really want is a small adjustment, not a new maker. Nothing is made until you approve the design in writing, and our standard making time is 5 to 6 weeks, which can vary with your location and how busy we are. Pieces start from £600.
See who owns the design, how a render differs from the finished ring and written approval.
Frequently asked questions
Can I get the file? Ask us, and we explain our position in writing.
Will another maker produce the same ring? Not necessarily, since methods differ.
Can I use a render? A render is a picture, not a manufacturing file.
Should I decide before I commission? Yes, it is easier to agree at the start.
Can you adjust a design I started elsewhere? Ask us, and we explain what we can do once we see it.