I’m far from the first person to come up with the idea of using AI for jewelry design. In fact, AI image generator Fotor actually advertises itself as a jewelry design platform, and starryai has step by step instructions for designing jewelry with AI. A Redditor shared some amazing designs they created using Majesty Diffusion (a platform I haven’t tried yet), while a writer on Medium (you’ll need an account) took inspiration from artists and celebrities to generate a variety of intriguing pieces.
An Artist’s Experiment
Still, I was surprised and delighted to find a jewelry designer and maker on YouTube who actually took the AI experiment to its conclusion, creating an absolutely stunning pendant completely inspired by AI. She started by allowing Chat GPT to create a prompt, then edited the (amusingly flowery) result into something that could be understood by an AI image generator. The result was a stunning array of designs and a beautifully crafted finished piece. Watch the highly entertaining video as metalsmith Basia takes her piece from concept to creation.
Basia’s experiment was not without its detractors, of course. Not everyone is enamored with the possibilities of AI artistry, and many have legitimate concerns. Ultimately, AI is a tool, just as an axe or a hammer or even a book is a tool. Any tool can be used in ways that are harmful; that doesn’t mean the tool is bad. The intention of the wielder determines the outcome.
The Evolution of AI
One area of concern is the inevitable evolution of AI-designed jewelry into AI-created jewelry. Jewelers are already using 3-D printing technology in their work. With AI improving by leaps and bounds in a very short amount of time, it’s feasible that machines could control the entire process, from design through construction. But mass-produced jewelry already exists, and it has yet to replace handmade jewelry. Machine-made jewelry might be entertaining as a novelty. Jewelry lovers will still be drawn to the human element.
I expect to see the role AI plays in our day to day lives expanding rapidly in the coming months and years. It’s crucial that we strive to maintain our human values—values like empathy, affection, creativity and craftsmanship—even as we continue seeking to understand our baffling new computerized companions. While there is plenty to be wary of in this brave new world, there is also an abundance of possibility.
For the images on this page, Chat GPT suggested the prompt, “An AI algorithm represented by lines of code, juxtaposed with a skilled artisan at work, highlighting the partnership between humans and technology.” Cover image by pollinations.ai.