In a groundbreaking move to democratize the jewelry industry, Arcade, a new platform founded by Minted creator Mariam Naficy, is set to launch an innovative AI-driven service that enables users to transform their jewelry ideas into tangible pieces. Supported by high-profile investors, including supermodels Karlie Kloss and Christy Turlington Burns, as well as athlete Colin Kaepernick, Arcade is gearing up to reshape the way consumers engage with jewelry design.
How Arcade Works: From Ideas to Reality
Launching on Wednesday, Arcade emerges from its beta testing phase as a “prompt-to-product marketplace.” Users can initiate the process by inputting their jewelry design ideas, which can vary from simple concepts like chainlink bracelets to more elaborate designs such as zodiac pendant necklaces adorned with gemstones. The platform then utilizes artificial intelligence to generate a selection of images that align with the user’s specifications.
What sets Arcade apart is its customization capability. Users can further refine the generated designs by altering features like gemstone colors and chain lengths or thicknesses. The finished pieces can be crafted in materials like sterling silver or 14-karat gold, offering a premium feel for customers.
Focus on Engagement Rings and Lab-Grown Diamonds
Naficy anticipates that Arcade will become a popular choice for those seeking custom engagement rings, highlighting the platform’s ability to incorporate lab-grown diamonds into its designs. This approach not only caters to the growing demand for ethical and sustainable jewelry options but also aligns with modern consumer values.
Collaboration with Global Manufacturers
To bring these designs to life, Arcade has partnered with 12 manufacturers, referred to as “makers,” strategically located in New York, Los Angeles, India, and Thailand. Once a user submits their design idea, Arcade’s AI selects the most suitable manufacturer based on their capabilities, ensuring efficient production.
Naficy emphasized the need to maintain a balanced marketplace by carefully managing the number of manufacturers. “We have about 12 [manufacturers] and we’re adding a lot more,” she stated. “But I’m trying to balance things so that we don’t flood the market… We try to pace the supply of designers with the pace of sales growth.”
Arcade not only empowers users to create personalized jewelry but also supports smaller manufacturers by facilitating communication. “Basically, they want to do more custom work, but it’s really hard for customers to communicate just with language versus with pictures,” Naficy explained. “I see this as AI gives an opportunity for you to communicate with other people via images, which is a much easier way to explain what you want, so that’s the genesis of it. We turn your thoughts into things.”
Limitations and Material Constraints
While Arcade offers a wealth of possibilities for jewelry customization, it does have certain limitations. The primary constraint lies in the available materials, which currently include a limited selection of gemstones and metals like sterling silver and 14-karat gold. If a user proposes a design using materials outside of this range, the product will display a “coming soon” label, indicating that it is not yet available for production. Naficy confirmed that the platform is actively working to expand its material offerings.
To ensure quality control and a seamless production process, Arcade employs a complexity model that assigns each product a complexity rating. This system helps determine the best-suited manufacturer for each design and assesses whether the requested piece can be produced.
Protecting Intellectual Property
Arcade is also committed to respecting intellectual property rights. The AI platform is programmed to filter out brand names and well-known jewelry styles to avoid copyright infringement. For instance, if a user inputs a query for a “Van Cleef & Arpels necklace,” the platform will recognize the designer and instead present images of “designer-quality” necklaces without infringing on the original style.
Additionally, users have the option to submit images of existing jewelry for reproduction. While Arcade may flag such submissions as potential plagiarism, customers can directly engage with the brand to explain their reasons for wanting to recreate a piece, fostering a collaborative environment.
Engaging with Content Creators
To further enhance its offerings, Arcade collaborates with a group of “dreamers”—content creators who design their own jewelry collections available for purchase on the platform. These creators receive a commission for each sale, allowing them to profit from their unique designs.
Beyond Jewelry
Looking ahead, Naficy envisions Arcade as a vast marketplace that could extend beyond jewelry. While many customers have expressed interest in expanding into apparel, Naficy noted that this category may not be the next step due to sizing complexities. Instead, Arcade is exploring opportunities in other accessories, aiming to broaden its product range.
“There’s a story behind every product here, and you can make something quite personal and very meaningful,” Naficy reflected. “If there was a barbell in retail between disposable fashion that’s really cheap and then very meaningful precious things, I think we’re more on the other end of the barbell. Everything we make is personal and precious here.”
