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CT for art, jewelry and watchmakingAnalyze your pieces without altering them

CT for art, jewelry and watchmakingAnalyze your pieces without altering them

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Reveal the invisible

Works of art, heritage objects, gemstones, jewelry or watch movements: some pieces can’t be taken apart, opened or prepared without risk.
Yet their internal structure can hold essential information for analyzing, authenticating or restoring them, or for guaranteeing their quality.

Preserve the integrity of your pieces

X-ray CT lets you get to the heart of the material without destroying it, visualizing an object’s internal and external structures in 3D without altering its integrity.
For museums, labs, jewelry houses and watch manufacturers, it offers a reliable way to document, inspect and understand rare, complex or high-value pieces.
 
 CT scan d'une montre   
Explore our CT systems: micro-CT, nano-CT, high-energy CT, custom-made.

CT to meet the challenges of art, jewelry and watchmaking

<strong>Preserve the integrity of pieces</strong><br><br>Unique objects, rare artworks, precious mechanisms or gemstones can be neither cut nor taken apart without risk.-image
Preserve the integrity of pieces

Unique objects, rare artworks, precious mechanisms or gemstones can be neither cut nor taken apart without risk.
<strong>Understand what&rsquo;s invisible</strong><br><br>Internal assemblies, past restorations, inclusions or material defects often remain out of reach of conventional methods.-image
Understand what’s invisible

Internal assemblies, past restorations, inclusions or material defects often remain out of reach of conventional methods.
<strong>Authenticate and document</strong><br><br>Traceability and understanding an object&rsquo;s history are essential for experts, conservators and collectors.-image
Authenticate and document

Traceability and understanding an object’s history are essential for experts, conservators and collectors.
<strong>Inspect high-value objects</strong><br><br>Every handling is a risk, so non-destructive methods are preferred.-image
Inspect high-value objects

Every handling is a risk, so non-destructive methods are preferred.

Why CT in art, jewelry and watchmaking?Seeing beyond the surface

In these sectors, a piece’s value isn’t limited to its appearance. Its internal structure, how it was assembled, its past restorations, its inclusions or its material defects can be decisive.

RX Solutions CT lets you:
  • analyze the inside of a piece without taking it apart or damaging it;
  • bring to light defects, cracks, porosity or inclusions that are invisible on the surface;
  • document the internal structure of a rare or unique object;
  • support authentication and expert appraisal work;
  • digitize a complete 3D volume for archiving, research or reverse engineering;
  • carry out quality inspections on high-precision parts.

Unlike optical techniques, which are often limited to surface analysis, X-rays let you observe the internal areas of objects that are opaque, dense or already assembled.

What CT brings toyour applications

Painting in an RX Solutions CT system, for authentication
Painting in an RX Solutions CT system, for authentication

Understand

An object’s history and internal structure, without altering it.

Inspect

Assemblies, material defects and complex mechanisms.

Authenticate

Pearls, gemstones, jewelry and heritage objects through analysis of their internal structures.

Preserve

The integrity of rare pieces throughout the analysis process.

Document

Create a usable 3D digital twin.

Micro CT sur montre mécanique. RX Solutions

A single piece or a series to analyze?

Museums, restorers, experts, watchmakers and gemologists can also benefit from RX Solutions CT inspection services to analyze a rare piece on a one-off basisor run a feasibility study.An ideal solution for appraisal, conservation, restoration or research projects.
  • Expert appraisal
  • 3D digitization
  • Authentication
  • Non-destructive analysis
Request a free quote Discover our inspection service

Three worlds, one requirement: preserve and understand without altering.

Whether it’s a heritage artwork, a precious stone or a watch movement, CT gives access to invisible information without compromising the object’s integrity.


Art & Heritage: exploring the hidden history of artworks

Radiography and CT make it possible to study artworks, sculptures, archaeological objects and ancient documents with no destructive contact.
They support conservation, restoration, authentication and scientific research, providing an internal view that complements visual observation and surface analysis.



Analysis of paintings and their supports
Analysis of paintings and their supports
Study of sculptures, archaeological objects and antiquities
Study of sculptures, archaeological objects and antiquities
Analysis of sealed or fragile documents
Analysis of sealed or fragile documents
Analysis of paintings and their supports
X-ray radiography can reveal information invisible to the naked eye: pentimenti, successive layers, additions, earlier restorations, the condition of the support or the presence of hidden elements.

It can notably be used to study:
  • the structure of a canvas, a panel or another support;
  • restoration areas;
  • additions or modifications made to the work;
  • certain internal defects linked to aging or storage conditions.
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Study of sculptures, archaeological objects and antiquities
Micro-tomography (micro-CT) lets you analyze in 3D complex objects made of several materials or with internal areas that are hard to reach.

It can be used to:
  • understand how an object was made;
  • identify internal assemblies;
  • detect cracks, consolidated breaks, corrosion or biological attack;
  • document an object’s state of conservation before restoration;
  • create a reference digital archive.
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Analysis of sealed or fragile documents
Some manuscripts, old books or sealed documents can’t be opened without risk. Depending on the materials and density contrasts, CT can help visualize internal structures, superimposed layers or hidden volumes, with no destructive handling.
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When CT lets you read without opening

Here is the example of the CT scan of a will from 1531. Without breaking the wax seal or handling the document, researchers at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (EPFL) used their Ultratom to see and reconstruct a sealed will from the State Archives of Venice. It reveals the last wishes of a Venetian lady, dating from 1351.
Micro-CT de manuscrits

Have a fragile or unique piece to analyze?

Have its feasibility assessed with CT.
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Jewelry & gemology: CT helps authenticate without altering

In jewelry and gemology, the pieces analyzed are often small, precious, rare or unique. CT lets you observe their internal structure without removing stones from their settings, cutting them or any special preparation.

CT provides information that complements optical or spectroscopic methods, especially when objects are opaque, complex or hard to interpret from the surface alone.
Authentication and identification of pearls
Authentication and identification of pearls
Inspection of gemstones, precious stones and jewelry
Inspection of gemstones, precious stones and jewelry
Authentication and identification of pearls
CT lets you visualize the internal structure of pearls, any nucleus, their growth pattern or certain distinguishing features.

Possible applications:
  • nucleus detection;
  • distinguishing natural pearls from cultured pearls;
  • analysis of internal and growth structure;
  • 3D documentation of rare pearls or collections;
  • inclusions, fractures, cavities…
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Inspection of gemstones, precious stones and jewelry
For gemstones and jewelry, CT can help reveal inclusions, cracks, heterogeneities or internal structures.

CT can be used to:
  • detect internal inclusions;
  • observe defects or microcracks;
  • analyze opaque materials;
  • document a stone or a piece of jewelry before appraisal;
  • create a digital volume for traceability or comparison.
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Watchmaking: quality control, internal inspection and reverse engineering

In watchmaking, mechanical precision, reliability and zero defects are essential. Components are small, complex, assembled with great finesse and often hard to inspect without disassembly.

X-ray CT lets you analyze the inside of a watch or a complete movement without opening it. It meets the needs of watch manufacturers, design offices, quality teams and R&D departments.

Non-destructive inspection of watch movements
Non-destructive inspection of watch movements
Quality control of watch components
Quality control of watch components
Reverse engineering and reproduction of historic movements
Reverse engineering and reproduction of historic movements
Non-destructive inspection of watch movements
CT lets you visualize a movement’s internal assemblies and identify any positioning defects, clearances, wear, deformation or assembly anomalies.

Possible applications:
  • inspection of complete movements;
  • prototype inspection;
  • validation of assemblies;
  • analysis of miniature components;
  • comparison between the real part and the expected model.
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Quality control of watch components
For metal or micro-fabricated components, CT can help detect internal defects that are invisible on the surface:
  • porosity;
  • cracks;
  • material defects;
  • assembly defects;
  • dimensional deviations;
  • manufacturing anomalies.

This approach is particularly useful when the value of the part or the complexity of the movement makes destructive inspection impossible.
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Reverse engineering and reproduction of historic movements
CT can also support reverse engineering projects. By generating a complete 3D volume, it lets you study a movement’s internal geometry without disassembly, then use the data to understand, document or reproduce certain parts.
For watch houses, restoration workshops or heritage projects, this approach lets you preserve the original object while accessing precise data on its internal architecture.
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When CT helps preserve a unique watchmaking heritage

To reproduce the legendary Speedmaster 321 movement, notably used in the watch worn by Eugene Cernan during the Apollo 17 mission, Omega needed to understand the internal architecture of a historic piece precisely, without risking damage to it.

Rather than opening or disassembling the watch, Omega’s teams used X-ray CT to explore the entire mechanism non-destructively. The resulting 3D reconstructions made it possible to observe every internal component, analyze the assemblies and document the movement’s original design precisely.

Thanks to this data, Omega was able to relaunch production of the famous Calibre 321 while preserving the integrity of the historic watch. This approach perfectly illustrates the value of CT for restoration, conservation and reverse engineering projects in prestige watchmaking.

  • Understand a mechanism without disassembly
  • Preserve rare and historic pieces
  • Create a complete 3D digital twin
  • Make restoration and reverse engineering easier
For your art, jewelry and watchmaking application

which RX Solutions CT system?

Want to analyze a rare, precious or complex piece?


Artwork, heritage object, gemstone, piece of jewelry or watch movement: our specialists will help you assess the feasibility of your project and identify the analysis method best suited to your needs.

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CT for art, jewelry and watchmaking: FAQ

Can set jewelry be scanned?
Yes. CT can be used to analyze some set jewelry, observe its internal structure or identify defects. A feasibility study determines the best configuration.
Can an artwork be analyzed without damaging it?
Yes. X-ray CT is a non-destructive analysis technique that lets you observe the inside of an artwork, a heritage object or a sculpture with no cutting or disassembly.
Can an artwork be digitized in 3D with CT?
Yes. X-ray CT can create a complete 3D model of an artwork, heritage object or artifact with no disassembly or alteration. The data can be used for scientific documentation, conservation, digital archiving, research or even reverse engineering of certain historic pieces. This approach is particularly useful for fragile, unique or hard-to-access objects.
Can CT reveal an old restoration or invisible modifications?
Yes. By visualizing the inside of the object, CT can identify hidden assemblies, old repairs, consolidations, materials added after manufacture or certain alterations linked to aging. It thus provides valuable information that helps conservators, restorers and experts better understand the piece’s history and prepare any interventions.
What is the difference between radiography and CT?
Radiography gives a 2D image of the object. CT reconstructs a complete 3D volume, giving access to internal structures, virtual cross-sections and analysis of the object from every angle.
Can CT help authenticate a piece?
Yes. CT can reveal details that are invisible on the surface: inclusions, assembly techniques, earlier restorations, internal structures or hidden elements that can contribute to an appraisal or an authentication process.
Do I need to own a CT system to have an object analyzed?
No. RX Solutions also offers analysis services and feasibility studies. Our teams can support you with appraisal, digitization or inspection of unique objects, with no investment in a system.
Can a pearl or a gemstone be analyzed without removing it from its setting?
In many cases, yes. CT lets you observe the internal structure of a pearl, a gemstone or a complete piece of jewelry with no disassembly and without altering the piece.
Can a watch movement be inspected without opening the watch?
Yes. CT lets you visualize the inside of an assembled watch movement to analyze its components, mechanical clearances and assemblies with no disassembly.
Is CT useful for restoring an artwork?
Yes. It lets you locate cracks, old restorations, hidden assemblies or weakened areas, so you can better prepare conservation and restoration work.
Can a complete 3D model be created from a scan?
Yes. CT data can be used to generate a 3D model for digital archiving, scientific documentation, reverse engineering or certain reproduction operations.
What sizes of objects can be analyzed?
RX Solutions systems cover a wide range of applications, from pearls and miniature watch components to sculptures, heritage objects or larger assemblies.
Which RX Solutions CT system should I choose for my application?
  • Nano: if you need to observe submicron details and structures in components.
  • Explorer: pearls, jewelry, artworks, heritage, jewelry and watchmaking: the right choice for most applications.
  • Force: dense, metallic or large objects that need more penetration.