CollectionsJul 15, 2026
Pomellato’s New High Jewelry Is LiberatingBold color, expressive gem-setting, and sculptural form define the three chapters that make up “Stile Libero.”
EditorsDec 16, 2016
A Chatbot for Engagement Rings
Nobody would accuse the jewelry industry of being ahead of the curve when it comes to technology. But, now, it can hope to at least keep up in one area.
The jewelry industry is a lot of things--interesting, creative, mysterious, complicated, tight-knit, old-fashioned.
Nobody, however, would accuse it of being innovative or “ahead of the curve” when it comes to technology.
But now, with the help of two old friends, the industry can hope to at least keep up in one area--Chatbots.
A Chatbot is a program powered by either rules or artificial intelligence--which still has a ways to go but is advancing, allowing ‘bots to have conversations that are increasingly human-like--that allows people to have their questions answered or get information from the computer without having to interact with another human being (oh, the horror!).
People interact with Chatbots on major chat platforms, like Facebook Messenger and Kik, and they are in increasingly wide use among retailers including H&M, Nordstrom, Sephora and at the Mall of America this holiday season to help consumers build an outfit, get make-up tips, find gifts or navigate the mall.
Forbes contributor Rachel Arthur called Chatbots one of the top technology trends in retail for 2016, alongside virtual reality, and said that they are expected to “make significant inroads” in 2017.
“Everybody,” Arik Marmorstein told me during a recent telephone interview, “is getting into Chatbots today as we speak.”
This includes Marmorstein, who works in the tech industry in Israel, and a friend of his in the diamond industry whom he met while serving in the Israeli army.
Marmorstein and his partner, who asked that his name and company name be withheld for this article, have spent the last nine months working on a Chatbot called BlingChat, which recently launched on Facebook Messenger and is designed to help people use chat to find the perfect engagement ring.
Here’s how it works: You go on to the BlingChat Facebook page (you don’t have like the page to start having a conversation with the computer) and hit the “Send Message” button. The ‘bot will then personally greet you (meaning it will use your name) and give you the option to learn about engagement rings or discover different styles.
I clicked “Discover” and then selected “Trending,” which told the Chatbot that I wanted to see the rings that have gotten the most likes.
If I saw a ring I wanted, I could have clicked through to the website of the company that’s selling it and gone from there. The rings pop up based on number of likes, though Marmorstein said all things being
equal, the order is completely random.
I didn’t like the ring it showed me, though, so I clicked a button and told the computer that I wanted to see more choices. If you were engaged and really interested in rings--and not perpetually single and terrible at dating like me--you could keep on clicking.
There’s also an option for consumers, designers, retailers and manufacturers to upload pictures of rings they’d like to be shared on BlingChat, though they won’t go up automatically. Marmorstein’s partner will work to verify the ring’s authenticity--that it belongs to the company or person who uploaded it, is accurately described, has a good picture and is available--before allowing it to go into circulation on the Chatbot.
Marmorstein said they are not looking to charge people for uploading ring pictures to the Chatbot. Instead, their business model is to make money by becoming an affiliate program of an online jewelry retailer like James Allen.
While the BlingChat Chatbot is now showing rings from companies like Blue Nile and Richline-owned Gemvara, Marmorstein said who they would really like to feature are independent designers, the ones who create the engagement rings with the unique appeal that younger consumers allegedly crave.
“Millennials today are looking for unique stuff, for vintage, for stuff you can’t find anywhere,” he said. “Our main goal is to cater to millennials.”
They also would like to eventually incorporate location data into the Chatbot, so it can show the users rings available from retailer’s master jewelers, estate jewelry stores and designers with boutiques in their immediate area.
Marmorstein also told me that BlingChat Chatbot does indeed use artificial intelligence, or AI, via a company called Wit.ai, which works with Facebook to track the ‘bot.
The Chatbot gets better at giving proper responses as it goes along and builds up a better memory bank, so to speak, of interactions; Marmorstein’s partner compared to the way a smartphone gives better auto-correct suggestions once it learns more about its user.
“(We are) always adopting and developing, as there is a long way to go there,” Marmorstein said of AI.
I didn’t like the ring it showed me, though, so I clicked a button and told the computer that I wanted to see more choices. If you were engaged and really interested in rings--and not perpetually single and terrible at dating like me--you could keep on clicking.
There’s also an option for consumers, designers, retailers and manufacturers to upload pictures of rings they’d like to be shared on BlingChat, though they won’t go up automatically. Marmorstein’s partner will work to verify the ring’s authenticity--that it belongs to the company or person who uploaded it, is accurately described, has a good picture and is available--before allowing it to go into circulation on the Chatbot.
Marmorstein said they are not looking to charge people for uploading ring pictures to the Chatbot. Instead, their business model is to make money by becoming an affiliate program of an online jewelry retailer like James Allen.
While the BlingChat Chatbot is now showing rings from companies like Blue Nile and Richline-owned Gemvara, Marmorstein said who they would really like to feature are independent designers, the ones who create the engagement rings with the unique appeal that younger consumers allegedly crave.
“Millennials today are looking for unique stuff, for vintage, for stuff you can’t find anywhere,” he said. “Our main goal is to cater to millennials.”
They also would like to eventually incorporate location data into the Chatbot, so it can show the users rings available from retailer’s master jewelers, estate jewelry stores and designers with boutiques in their immediate area.
Marmorstein also told me that BlingChat Chatbot does indeed use artificial intelligence, or AI, via a company called Wit.ai, which works with Facebook to track the ‘bot.
The Chatbot gets better at giving proper responses as it goes along and builds up a better memory bank, so to speak, of interactions; Marmorstein’s partner compared to the way a smartphone gives better auto-correct suggestions once it learns more about its user.
“(We are) always adopting and developing, as there is a long way to go there,” Marmorstein said of AI.
More on Editors
The Latest
IndependentsJul 14, 2026
Foundrae Opens First Standalone Store Outside USThe New York-based jewelry brand has expanded overseas, opening a store in London’s Mayfair district.
ColumnistsJul 14, 2026
Sherry Smith: What Today’s Jewelry Consumer Is Telling Us Rising revenue does not automatically mean a healthy business, particularly in the current economic landscape, Smith writes.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
TrendsJul 14, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Shoulder Dusters These long, fluid drop earrings are sure to catch the eye.
Weekly QuizJul 09, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CrimeJul 14, 2026
Man Charged in $1M Jewelry Store Heist Lands on FBI Most Wanted ListAlberto Perez-Elias is one of four men charged with robbing a Cape Coral, Florida, jewelry store and is the only one still at large.
Events & AwardsJul 14, 2026
Conference on Mining, Sustainability Kicks Off in NYCInitiatives in Art and Culture is hosting its 16th annual Gold and Diamond Conference, with the theme of “Resilience.”
Brought to you by
Building the Future of Jewelry Retail: DCA Expands Education, Leadership Development, and Workforce SolutionsDCA is preparing the next generation of professionals by supporting workforce development, leadership growth, and career advancement.
Lab-GrownJul 13, 2026
Stephanie Gottlieb Changes Her Mind on Lab-Grown DiamondsThe designer, who once said she’d never sell lab-grown diamonds, debuted two capsule collections designed to be fun and easy to wear.
SourcingJul 13, 2026
De Beers Announces Potential Layoffs, 2-Year Production Pause at VenetiaThe diamond miner and marketer is undergoing another round of cost-cutting measures ahead of its sale by Anglo American.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
Registration Opens for JIS Fall 2026 ShowThe annual trade-only buying event is slated for Oct. 16-19 in Miami Beach, Florida.
Events & AwardsJul 13, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026AGTA also has announced the lineup of judges for the colored gemstone cutting and jewelry design contest’s various categories.
TechnologyJul 10, 2026
There’s a New Blind Box for Luxury Watches Collectibles platform Arena Club’s new Time Boxes could contain a Rolex or Patek Philippe watch.
TrendsJul 10, 2026
Jade Trau Creates a Constellation of DiamondsThe “Constellation Plié” collar, our Piece of the Week, features diamonds arranged in a constellation of shining stars.
SourcingJul 10, 2026
CFO of De Beers’ Consumer-Facing Division Leaves Company Shaun Wills joined the company in 2024 and was chief financial officer of the De Beers Brands and Consumer Markets division.
WatchesJul 10, 2026
Brilliant Earth Expands Into WatchesIn honor of its 20th anniversary, the jewelry brand has released a limited-edition collection of Swiss-made timepieces.
CollectionsJul 09, 2026
Boucheron’s New High Jewelry Collection Is an Ode to the Human Touch“Human Being” highlights the similarities and differences between us through five sets of jewelry that celebrate fine craftsmanship.
WatchesJul 09, 2026
Damiani Group Finalizes Acquisition of Baume & MercierRichemont will continue to provide operational services for the watch brand for a period while the group prepares to integrate it.
AuctionsJul 09, 2026
Pharrell Williams’ Joopiter Hires Former Bonhams Exec to Head New Watch DivisionNate Borgelt will lead the digital auction house and content platform’s new division as head of watches.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
Halstead Names 2026 Grant WinnerEnoch Platero, founder and designer behind Enoch Michael, is the first Native American jeweler to win the award.
Events & AwardsJul 09, 2026
AGS, GIA Name 2026 Beatrice Shipley Scholarship WinnerAGS also announced the recipient of its “Women in Leadership” scholarship.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Kendra Scott Joins ‘Shark Tank’ As Permanent Investor The founder of the billion-dollar jewelry and lifestyle brand will debut as a full-time “Shark” on the upcoming season of the show.
SurveysJul 08, 2026
Signet Jewelers Falls 5 Spots on NRF’s ‘Top 100’ Retailers ListPlus, why retailers should be ready to adjust as the U.S. population may decline this year for the first time since the Great Depression.
CrimeJul 08, 2026
Here’s What Thieves Stole From the Lalique Museum René Lalique’s “Woman Dragonfly With Open Wings” pendant, the first piece the museum acquired, was one of the jewels taken.
MajorsJul 08, 2026
Richline Group Promotes 2 ExecsArien Gessner and Moss Makhoulian have been elevated into newly created roles.
ColumnistsJul 07, 2026
Peter Smith: Diamond Branding and the Origin ParadoxA podcast prompted Smith to share his views on where origin fits into the natural diamond story and the viability of branded diamonds.
Events & AwardsJul 07, 2026
JA Announces 2026 Impact Initiative RecipientsThe association selected eight recipients for the funding program, which is in its second year.
