Custom Design For All
Custom jewelry design is about to get much easier. Stuller, the jewelry industry’s largest just-in-time supplier, has partnered with Gemvision, the company that created Matrix, the most popular jewelry CAD-CAM program, to create new software that enables salespeople to create true custom designs at the counter that Stuller will then manufacture and deliver in less than a week.
“This is a tool to make custom design possible for the sales associate,” says Matt Stuller, founder, president, and CEO of Stuller. “When the customer is part of the design processes it fuels the passion and excitement of jewelry. It’s not a commodity anymore.”
The new software, tentatively called “Counter Sketch” was previewed for 50 select retailers at the inaugural Stuller Owner’s Conference in Lafayette, Louisiana on July 14. A beta version will be released to 100 retailers on October 12 this year and the software will be available in wide release in January 2010. Pricing hasn’t been set yet.
“We want to create an experience where the customer doesn’t have to ask for custom design, it becomes part of the shopping experience,” explains Jeff High, founder and president of Gemvision. The design process in the new software starts with existing models of popular jewelry styles. According to Stuller, the goal is to launch with 1,000 to 1,500 different initial models. Each model can then be modified and adapted to suit the customer’s needs through an intuitive easy-to-use interface, creating an infinite number of possible customized designs.
Take a three stone ring design, for example. A salesperson, or even a customer, can use simple sliders to change the finger size, the center stone size and type, the size and position of the side stones, the angle and height of all the stones, the width and profile of the shank. As one attribute of the piece changes, all the others seamlessly adjust proportionately in real time to change the look of the piece to suit the customer’s requirements.
Once the customer is happy with the design, the sales person can calculate pricing and send the model to Stuller for manufacturing. Stuller offers the design as a casting, as a polished mounting, or set with gemstones from Stuller’s inventory, delivered in 5 to 7 days.
Although Counter Sketch allows jewelers with little or no custom design experience to offer the service, even jewelers who specialize in CAD CAM said the new program would improve the custom design experience for their customers. “It’s a game-changer that makes custom the new normal: the biggest change the jewelry industry’s seen since the introduction of CAD,” says Jim Tuttle of Green Lake Jewelry Works in Seattle, the largest Matrix user in the country. “This is the beginning of the mass customization revolution. In what other industry can you essentially design something yourself and get a good quality product? Who would have thought that the jewelry industry would lead the way in the democratization of design?”
I’ve also posted a video with my interview of Matt Stuller and Jeff High about the new software and how it will change the jewelry shopping experience.
Dear Matt and Jeff,
We were pleased to learn that you will be joining us in providing jewelers a new and innovative way to deliver customized product to their patrons. From the moment Jeff High reached out to us in Las Vegas it was clear that Paragon Lake and Stuller share a vision of a new experience that brings additional value to both the jeweler and the consumer. Our values will likely diverge beyond this core vision, but we believe our success is tied together in helping jewelers deliver an experience that greatly enhances the jewelry shopping experience. This is a paradigm shift that jewelers, designers, stone suppliers, and manufacturers will all embrace together and it is in this spirit that we say congratulations and welcome aboard.
Sincerely,
Deb Besemer, CEO, Paragon Lake
Matt Lauzon, Founder and President, Paragon Lake
As a brick and mortar store owner and Stuller customer I find this a very interesting development.
Read this quote carefully:
“A salesperson, or even a customer, can use simple sliders to change the finger size, the center stone size and type, the size and position of the side stones, the angle and height of all the stones, the width and profile of the shank.”
“Stuller-Nile” in the making; the customer can manipulate the ring.
It is only a question of time until this can be done on line in the comfort of your home!
As a jewelry retail professional I have to rethink and replan my future.
Blue-Nile undeniably dented our diamond business what do you think Stuller-Nile will do?
Matt Stuller is as sharp a business man as they come; I am convinced this is the end goal. And there is no stopping it with the power and funding of Stuller it will happen!!
Food for thought,
Klaus
As a small custom jewelry manufacturer and a customer of Stuller since 1976, I too find it interesting that I will now be competing with my supplier. Maybe it is time to be looking for a new supplier. Don
As an independent, one location Custom Shop who uses Stuller as a Supplier almost daily (for over 22 years) and Gemvision software, I would (and often do) stake my business and reputation on Stuller and Gemvision products and services.
I am very comfortable telling everyone I know that this new software is exciting and will be a great tool for any independent Jeweler with even the slightest imagination. I expect it to help me satisfy more clients, make designing even more fun for our Designers, and just be a ton of fun to use. (I have seen the software!!)
Those who are worried will be proved to have been early in their criticism, this is not Blue Nile all over again.
Stuller is and always has been a reliable partner of mine and of most independent jewelers I have talked to. Tools, parts, casting grain, solder, Melee, Large diamonds, castings, or finished jewelry, who else “gets it right, and gets it to you tomorrow” as often as Stuller?
this is going to be fun!!
Jim Tuttle
Owner, Designer, Gold & Platinumsmith
Green Lake Jewelry Works
I’m impressed you old folks are so hip on the latest technology. The future is moving fast and we need to stay ahead. Congratulations Matt, I am so excited to implement this in our store. Now I just need to teach the old timers. haha. Cheers!
Rachel Heine
marketing director, designer, missionary
Cross of Light Diamond
Adamas Inc. jewelers Mpls, MN
ed hardy men apparel
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Hmmm… all blue nile (for example) has to do is integrate this design software into their website.. and viola! The customer never has to set a foot into a jewelry store… kinda seems like shooting yourself in the foot
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