Gemvision Europe will make the world debut of Version 2.5 of its pioneering CounterSketch Studio design software at IJL (International Jewellery London), 4-7 September 2011.
Highlights on stand C120 will include live demonstrations of the new-version design software programme showing independent retailers how they can capitalise on the trend for personalised jewellery.
The award winning CounterSketch Studio marks an evolution in the jewellery industry – offering retailers an easy-to-use bespoke design service in store, whilst delivering a major expansion of their product range without the overheads.
It is the creation of technology leaders Gemvision in partnership with global jewellery connoisseur Stuller, the industry’s largest manufacturer and just-in-time distributor in North America. Based in Lafayette, Louisiana, Stuller is one of the world’s leading diamantaires and a DTC Sightholder, with a 40-year history specialising in diamonds, gemstones, finished jewellery, mountings, bridal jewellery and fabricated metals.
CounterSketch Studio makes it easy for customers to design their own uniquely personalised jewellery crafted by Stuller. Each one of over 2,300 base models – ladies and men’s rings, wedding bands and pendants – can be modified in 3D to customer preference with an intuitive set of controls, creating an infinite number of possible customised designs.
There is live pricing throughout and when the customer approves the design and it goes to Stuller for manufacturing, customers receive their piece in 14 days or less. Enhancing the customer experience in store is at the heart of the many new features of CounterSketch Studio Version 2.5. They include an ‘inventory mode’ for custom collections and designs exclusive to retailers, an ordering system for custom-designed prototypes, an enhanced search facility for customised collections and personalised print catalogues.
Gemvision managing director Gary Baines said: “CounterSketch is truly a world first, providing a virtual catalogue that can be brought to life and allowing any member of staff to use the jewellery design software to create a design which is ready for production.
It introduces a whole new way of doing business in the jewellery industry and revolutionises the retail process for independent jewellers. Our new-version CounterSketch has incredible functionality. It is highly sophisticated in its development, with the benefit of being super-easy to use for salespeople with little or no custom design experience.”
CounterSketch Studio, which was launched last year, is already being used by more than 50 jewellery retailers nationwide. Matt Stuller, founder, president, and CEO of Stuller added: “When we created the idea of CounterSketch with Gemvision, we recognised that as well as the downturn, consumer tastes were changing and old models of business weren’t working. We are evolving the art of jewellery design in a way that hasn’t been seen before. Retailers can show consumers an ever-changing variety of jewellery styles in virtual or prototype form, and order only the jewellery that customers really want.”
With facilities in the UK, the United States and a global network of authorised dealers, Gemvision brings jewellers and technology together with innovative Computer Aided Design and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) products.
Founded over 20 years ago by retail jeweller Jeff High, Gemvision has a heritage as a company of jewellers helping other jewellers use technology to express their creativity and enhance their bottom line.