Gemist raises $6M to modernize $300B jewelry industry with real-time customization tools

For all its glitz, the $300 billion global jewelry industry is stuck in the past. It’s often easier to customize a $50,000 car online than it is to design a $5,000 engagement ring. Most customers still deal with in-person meetings, outdated CAD mockups, and awkward sales conversations just to get a piece made.

Madeline Fraser wants to change that.

The two-time female founder and serial entrepreneur has just raised $6 million for her startup Gemist, which offers a real-time 3D customization platform for rings, necklaces, earrings, and bracelets. Backers in the round include Entrada Ventures, The Artemis Fund, and Collide Capital.

Gemist’s tech gives jewelry buyers a fully interactive, photorealistic design experience—without the showroom visits. Users can mix, match, and style their pieces on the spot and order directly through the platform. The company says its system now powers more than 14,000 custom jewelry designs each week.

This new round brings Gemist’s total funding to $9 million since its inception four years ago.

Founded in 2021 by Madeline Fraser, Gemist has built a full-stack SaaS platform that gives jewelry brands the tools to offer real-time design, 3D styling, dynamic pricing, and fully branded e-commerce. The company works with fine jewelry retailers to help them offer faster and more accurate custom experiences. Based in Los Angeles, Gemist has now raised $9 million from investors including Entrada Ventures, The Artemis Fund, and Collide Capital.

Gemist CEO Madeline Fraser (Courtesy Aylee Rhodes)

“We’re solving the biggest pain point in the industry: how to confidently sell jewelry online,” said Fraser, Gemist’s founder and CEO. “For the first time, jewelry companies have a turnkey platform that lets them customize, visualize, and sell their products digitally, just like designing a car or customizing sneakers.”

Jewelry brands can plug Gemist’s white-labeled software into their own e-commerce stores or run it in-store on tablets and mobile. The goal: help brands close more sales by giving customers a realistic preview of their purchase before they commit.

Fraser says the new capital will be used to build out features like dynamic pricing, better rendering tech, and expanded e-commerce integrations. And the timing makes sense—retailers are under pressure to meet rising expectations from younger shoppers, especially millennials, 85% of whom now expect personalization when they shop.

Michelle Berlinger, CEO of Berlinger Jewelry, says the tech has changed how her business operates.

“Gemist has truly helped us scale the custom side of our business. We’ve tried other tools, but nothing comes close to the realism and responsiveness of The Customize Experience,” she said. “It cut our design process from days to minutes, and helped customers confidently purchase high-ticket pieces without ever stepping into our showroom.”

Gemist says its platform has increased sales cycles by 400% and average order values by 300%, thanks to faster decision-making and a more visual experience.

Julie Henley, a partner at Entrada Ventures, sees an obvious shift.

“Today’s consumers demand personalization, transparency, and beautiful digital experiences,” she said. “Gemist delivers all three, empowering the jewelry industry to grow without adding operational complexity.”

Fraser’s pitch is simple: If people can build custom shoes or cars online, why not fine jewelry?

Jewelry tech has lagged behind, but Gemist is trying to bring it up to speed.