Legor Group SPA, based in Vicenza, Italy, has over forty years of experience in creating high-quality metal alloys and solutions for the jewellery, luxury, and fashion industries. Building on this expertise, Legor launched the 3D Metal Hub-a center dedicated to experimenting with and producing both precious and non-precious metal components using advanced 3D Metal Binder Jet technology. This tech is  promoting a new way of creating jewellery and fashion accessories by exploiting the full potential of metal additive manufacturing.

Legor 3D Metal Hub

The Legor 3D Metal Hub is an innovative facility where progress, innovation, and sustainability come together. Its main focus is to use 3D Metal Binder Jetting (BJT) technology to create jewellery, fashion accessories, and industrial parts. This technology allows for the production of complex metal pieces without the need for traditional molds or casting methods.

How 3D Metal Binder Jetting works

The process involves several key steps:

Printing: Ultra-fine metal powder (such as stainless steel AISI 316L) is spread in thin layers. A liquid binder is selectively applied to each layer based on a digital 3D model, bonding the powder where needed.

Curing: The printed object is gently heated to harden the binder, forming a fragile “green” part that holds its shape but is not yet strong.

Sintering: The part is heated in a special oven. The binder evaporates, and the metal particles fuse together, creating a solid metal piece. The part is then cooled carefully to avoid cracks.

Advantages over traditional methods

Legor’s 3D Metal Jet Printing offers several benefits compared to traditional investment casting:

No combustion: The process does not burn waxes or resins, nor does it use gypsum, making it cleaner and more environmentally friendly.

Sustainability: Leftover metal powder can be reused, resulting in zero material waste.

Design Freedom: Designers can create intricate, hollow, or interlocking shapes that would be difficult or impossible with traditional methods. No molds or support structures are needed, allowing for quick prototyping and custom designs.

Efficiency: Multiple different pieces can be printed at once, speeding up production and reducing costs, especially for small or custom runs.

Materials and Applications

Currently, Legor uses materials like stainless steel (AISI 316L), bronze, silver, and platinum, with plans to expand into gold alloys. This technology is ideal for the jewellery and fashion sectors, but also has potential for broader industrial applications.

Impact on the Industry

By introducing the 3D Metal Hub, Legor Group is leading the way in sustainable, precise, and innovative metal manufacturing. The company encourages designers and manufacturers to rethink how jewellery and accessories are made, pushing creative boundaries and supporting a more sustainable future for the industry.Legor’s 3D Metal Hub is transforming metal design and production, offering a greener, faster, and more flexible alternative to traditional methods, and opening up new possibilities for both established and emerging designers. 

The International Gemological Institute (IGI) reported robust financial results for the first quarter, driven by increased demand for certification of both lab-grown and natural diamonds. Revenue rose 10% year-on-year to INR 3 billion ($35.8 million) for the three months ending March 31, marking a 15% increase over the previous quarter.

Growth was seen across all certification segments. Loose natural-diamond certification rose 1% year-on-year, accounting for 16% of IGI’s operations. Certification of loose lab-grown diamonds grew 9%, making up the majority of the business at 54%. Grading of natural-diamond jewelry surged 21%, while lab-grown jewelry grading recorded an impressive 87% increase. These segments now represent 21% and 7% of the company’s business, respectively.

Net profit climbed 12% year-on-year to INR 1.41 billion ($16.5 million), and rose 24% compared to the previous quarter.

“The company has seen strong growth momentum across all its segments compared to the previous quarter as well as the first quarter of the last financial year,” said IGI CEO Tehmasp Printer. “Along with our core segments of natural-diamond certification and lab-grown diamond certification, we are also seeing strong demand for certification of natural diamond and lab-grown diamond jewelry, which will further accelerate the growth of our business.”

To support this rising demand, IGI announced plans to expand its laboratory capacity and invest in technology aimed at increasing operational efficiency and reducing turnaround time for services.

Jewelex, a revered name in fine diamond jewelry, and Ultrahuman, a pioneer in wearable technology, have come together to combine time-honored craftsmanship legacy with cutting-edge health technology with Ultrahuman Rare, the world’s first luxury smart ring.

At the heart of Rare lies a profound respect for artistry and precision. Jewelex, with a heritage spanning over 59 years, has continually set new benchmarks in diamond and jewelry craftsmanship. Their legacy is defined by innovation, where advanced metalworking techniques enhance traditional artistry, ensuring exceptional detail and consistency in every creation.

Rare embodies the seamless fusion of meticulous craftsmanship and precision engineering. Leveraging cutting-edge CNC machining, the ring’s intricate design is executed with micron-level accuracy. While machines deliver exacting precision, the final touch is entrusted to skilled artisans – who then polish and refine each piece to ensure warmth, character, and the unmistakable essence of true craftsmanship.

Jewelex integrates sustainability into every facet of its Rare’s manufacturing, operating on 100% renewable energy since January 2023. Rainwater harvesting at its corporate headquarters further supports resource conservation. By continuously investing in clean energy and eco-friendly practices, it reaffirms its commitment to a greener future in fine jewelry.

On the other end of this union, Ultrahuman has reimagined wearable technology through its mission of health optimization. From the world’s lightest sleep-tracking wearable, the Ultrahuman Ring AIR, to the advanced Ultrahuman M1 continuous glucose monitoring platform and the revolutionary Ultrahuman Home health monitoring device, the company has been at the forefront of turning health data into actionable intelligence.

Ultrahuman Rare was unveiled at the world’s premier technology event, Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2025 in Las Vegas, marking a defining moment in the evolution of fine jewelry.

Rare launched with the “Desert Collection”, featuring three distinctive designs: Desert Rose, Dune, and Desert Snow. Inspired by nature’s most captivating landscapes, these pieces reflect the fluid elegance of wind-sculpted dunes, embodying the balance of beauty and resilience found in arid terrains.

• Dune and Desert Rose rings are meticulously crafted from 18K Gold, sourced exclusively from London Bullion Market Association (LBMA)-approved refineries and hallmarked by the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), ensuring the highest standards of authenticity and quality.
• Desert Snow is engineered from Pt950 platinum, a metal renowned for its rarity and prestige. 

Commenting on the partnership, Bobby Kothari, Jewelry CEO, Jewelex India Pvt Ltd, stated, “The power of collaboration lies in the ability to bring together diverse strengths. This partnership demonstrates that when traditionally separate industries unite, the potential for growth and innovation is limitless. This is a prime example of how cross-industry synergy can redefine consumer experiences.”

Each Rare ring begins its journey in Jewelex’s expert hands before making its way to UltraFactory, Ultrahuman’s advanced manufacturing facilities in Plano, Texas, and Bengaluru, India.

Here, the skilled artisan-crafted fine jewellery is transformed through intricate manufacturing processes into Rare.

Precision-engineered PCBs, 6-axis motion sensors, and medical-grade temperature sensors are meticulously integrated into the ring’s structure. A proprietary resin casting process ensures seamless embedding of technology while maintaining the aesthetic integrity of the jewelry. Each ring, available in sizes 5 to 14, undergoes extensive testing and multiple rounds of quality control, ensuring impeccable performance and craftsmanship.

Finally, Ultrahuman’s custom-programmed firmware is updated on Rare. These firmware updates are designed to be seamless, ensuring that Rare continuously evolves through adaptive software that’s unique.

Mohit Kumar, Founder & CEO, Ultrahuman, added, “Our collaboration with Jewelex brings together two worlds: their legacy of craftsmanship and our expertise in cutting-edge health technology, redefining fine jewelry in the age of wearables.

With Rare, we’re catering to individuals who want their health journey to be as elegant and meaningful as the rest of their lives. The possibilities ahead are limitless.”

Rare made its grand debut in two iconic capitals of luxury: Paris and London.

• Selfridges London, an emblem of modern luxury, is where heritage and innovation converge to redefine the retail experience.
• Printemps Paris, with its Belle Époque grandeur, embodies the spirit of Parisian chic through its exquisite curation of global luxury.

Rare’s perfect blend of heritage and future brings the world a statement of sophistication, where old-world artistry meets the future of wearable intelligence, offering an unparalleled experience of beauty, craftsmanship, and technology.