Online sales and jewelry presentations have significantly increased in popularity in recent years. Before the advent of 3D software for jewelry, online sellers typically displayed photographs of the actual item. However, with the growing trend of 3D-rendered images, many online retailers have shifted to this approach. This has raised concerns among consumers as they often receive different products they see online.

Notably, a significant difference exists between a photo of an actual item that has been retouched and a 3D-rendered image. While posting an unretouched photo of an item may cause unfair prejudice to the seller, a 3D-rendered image can also be misleading. This is because online jewelry photos are often displayed more significantly than the actual item, which can exaggerate any minor imperfections that would not be noticeable to the naked eye. Moreover, capturing photographs of jewelry can be challenging, as the reflection of metal and stones can create unwanted shadows or reflections that adversely affect the photo quality. Therefore, retouching is necessary to remove such impurities that are not native to the item itself.

The widespread use of 3D-rendered images in online jewelry sales has attracted many consumers, but it has also raised concerns regarding the accuracy of product representation. While retouching is necessary to enhance the quality of photographs, it is crucial to maintain transparency and ensure that the product images represent the actual item as closely as possible, fostering trust and authenticity among consumers.

Why Avoid 3D Rendered Images

The use of 3D-rendered images of jewelry items is a matter of contention among artisans and enthusiasts. This is because a 3D-rendered image presents the item in flawless condition, which is practically impossible to achieve in the real world. Imperfections are inherent in jewelry items, regardless of whether renowned brands or independent artisans produce them. A closer inspection of the jewelry item with a loupe would reveal these imperfections. Notably, reputable brands always display retouched high-quality jewelry photos instead of 3D-rendered images.

Therefore, it is imperative to ask whether jewelry items displayed on sites that use perfect 3D-rendered images accurately represent the actual product. A close inspection of the received jewelry item with a loupe may reveal stark differences between what was advertised and what was received. Furthermore, using 3D-rendered images is particularly concerning in the case of gemstones or diamonds, as the computer-generated images may need to capture the actual colors and properties of the stones accurately.

To avoid being misled when purchasing jewelry online, ensuring that the item received is as close as possible to the one advertised is crucial. This involves conducting thorough research and verifying the authenticity of the images displayed on the website. By doing so, customers can be assured that they are getting their money’s worth and that the purchased item meets their expectations.

3D rendering vs. Photo of the actual ring

The ring on the left is a three-dimensional (3D) representation of a ring model, whereas the image on the right portrays the actual ring. Notably, the 3D image appears perfect, with no imperfections on the gold, and each cup is ideally identical. However, the actual ring exhibits some blemishes on the gold that are acceptable and not discernible to the naked eye. It is noteworthy that purchasing the ring solely based on the 3D rendering may lead to disappointment, as the actual ring may not correspond precisely to the perfect 3D image.

Conclusion

The use of 3D-rendered images has become increasingly popular in the online sale of jewelry. However, online retailers must ensure that their product images accurately represent the actual item and that any retouching does not mislead consumers. While retouching can enhance the visual appeal of an item, it should not cover up imperfections entirely, as this could be deceptive to the client. Some websites display magnified parts of an item when hovering over it, but this feature is rendered pointless if it is devoid of imperfections. In our opinion, it is best to retouch an item's photo to preserve its appearance while removing any imperfections to an acceptable level to the naked eye.