You’ve seen 3D printed accessories and jewelry in Silver, Brass, Bronze, and Steel? Now printing-service Shapeways adds 14 Carat Gold to the list of precious materials.

Don’t expect it to be cheap – the manufacturing process alone is costly.

14k gold models are 3D printed using a complex five-step process. First, the model is 3D printed in wax using a specialized high-resolution 3D printer. It’s then put in a container where liquid plaster is poured in around it. When the plaster sets, the wax is melted out in a furnace, and the remaining plaster becomes the mold, leaving a negative space where the model was, ready to become 3D Printed gold. Molten Gold is then poured into the mold and set to harden. The plaster is broken away, revealing the final product, which is then carefully cleaned and hand-polished to give it the trademark Gold luster. Read the full design guidelines on Gold Shapeways material page.