Editor’s Note
This article details the launch of the Tùsaire series by the International Platinum Guild, a landmark commercial application of direct metal 3D printing for platinum jewelry. It represents a significant technological and creative advancement in the luxury sector.
On July 3, 2025, it was learned that the International Platinum Guild (PGI) has officially launched the metal 3D printed Tùsaire series, marking a historic breakthrough in the high-end jewelry sector. The Tùsaire series is a platinum jewelry collection designed using 3D printing technology by Scottish-American artist Maeve Gillies. It is not only the world’s first commercial case of platinum jewelry launched using direct metal 3D printing technology but also highlights the immense potential of 3D printing in precious metal craftsmanship, design freedom, and industry sustainability.
The Tùsaire series draws inspiration from the myths of the mysterious Caledonian Isle in Scotland, blending the ancient legend of the “Lost Caledonian Jewels” with modern technology. Designer Maeve Gillies skillfully integrates narrative elements into each piece, making every item of jewelry not just a wearable work of art but also a vessel for emotion and heritage.
Maeve Gillies, a globally renowned jewelry designer with over 30 years of industry experience, founded the MaeVona brand and has designed jewelry for prestigious brands like Highland Park and Ardbeg. Gillies has consistently focused on merging traditional craftsmanship with innovative technology, with a particular expertise in working with platinum. She has long advocated for platinum, using it in wedding and high-end jewelry. Her deep understanding of platinum’s toughness and luster played a crucial role in optimizing its performance through laser powder bed fusion technology, ultimately achieving forms and finishes previously deemed impossible.
Through collaboration with Italy’s ProGold and research by PGI, the technical obstacles to 3D printing platinum jewelry were overcome. Unlike other precious metals, platinum is extremely difficult to print due to its high melting point and strength. The Tùsaire project took several months, with the team achieving high-precision 3D printing of platinum through repeated calibration, redesign, and deep collaboration in materials science.
Compared to traditional casting processes, 3D printing significantly reduces material waste. Additionally, due to platinum’s low reflectivity and good thermal control properties, it improves the energy efficiency of laser printing, advancing the concept of environmentally conscious luxury.
The Tùsaire series features unique hollow structures, interlocking lattices, and extreme detail, breaking through the physical limits of traditional craftsmanship and transforming platinum from a dense, hard material into a fluid medium for expressing design creativity. Leveraging the custom manufacturing capabilities of 3D printing, Tùsaire achieves adjustable sizes, modular design elements, and customizable finishes that can be paired with anodized titanium decorations, greatly enhancing consumer engagement and personalized experience.
It is worth noting that the current price of platinum is more affordable compared to gold, making platinum jewelry more accessible to consumers. Furthermore, unlike 3D printed precious metal accessories on the market that are limited to the experimental stage, the Tùsaire series is the first large-scale commercial attempt at direct platinum printing, translating theory into a viable market product and setting a more referential business case for the future design and manufacturing of high-end jewelry.
Italian metal 3D printer manufacturer Sisma has achieved notable success in the field of precious metal printing. At the Formnext 2024 exhibition in Germany, several jewelry cases printed by them were showcased.
In Shenzhen, China, Xihe Additive has launched a small-scale precious metal 3D printer using green laser technology, capable of printing materials like gold and white gold effectively.
In August 2024, Xihe Additive officially launched the XH-M100G Green Laser 3D Printer, specifically designed for precious metals & scientific research. It matches several innovations in optics and structural design to fully leverage the unique advantages of green lasers. The XH-M100G has a build size of φ100*100mm and is equipped with a domestically developed 532nm wavelength single-mode continuous green fiber laser. Its unique optical system design enables high-precision printing. The innovative top-fed powder structure design and convenient powder recovery structure minimize startup costs and reduce material loss. The machine is compatible with precious metals such as gold, platinum, and 925 silver, as well as common highly reflective, refractory materials, and their composites, making it an ideal tool for new material testing and development.