AuctionsJun 26, 2026
‘Hogback’ Diamond Ring Finds a New Home A ring set with “hogback” diamonds, an early stone cut dating to around the 16th century, sold for more than $20,000 at a U.K. auction.
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
CollectionsJun 26, 2026
Strength Is Sharpened Into Beauty in Kris Averi’s ‘Prism Thorn’ RingThe rainbow version of the ring, our Piece of the Week, features angel-cut, octahedral lab-grown sapphires designed to be worn as armor.
MajorsJun 26, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Debuts ‘Charms That Give Back’The new initiative donates a portion of the proceeds from select charms to charitable causes.
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.
TrendsJun 26, 2026
Bernard James Celebrates Knicks’ Win with RingThe Brooklyn-based jeweler created a limited-edition version of its “Aura” eternity band, set with gemstones in the team’s colors.
Weekly QuizJun 25, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
ICA Names Brandee Dallow as CEODallow will lead the International Colored Gemstone Association, effective July 6.
CollectionsJun 25, 2026
Mejuri Experiments With SteelIts new capsule jewelry collection features gold-finished stainless steel pieces designed for a maximalist look without a luxury price tag.
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.
Events & AwardsJun 25, 2026
Watches & Wonders Announces 2027 DatesThe week-long event in Geneva is slated for April 2027.
SourcingJun 25, 2026
Annie Doresca, Mark Smelzer, Sara Yood Join Gem Legacy BoardThe three industry leaders bring financial, communications, and legal expertise to the nonprofit’s board of directors.
ColumnistsJun 24, 2026
The Revenue Hiding Between Your Counter and Your Online CartJewelers are missing out by not offering this one key add-on at the online point of sale, Emmanuel Raheb writes.
CollectionsJun 24, 2026
Greenwich St. Jewelers, Jewel Boxing’s Latest Drop Is On-TrendThe fourth collaborative collection from the retailer and jewelry content creator focuses on gemstone charms and strands of colorful beads.
Events & AwardsJun 24, 2026
AGTA Accepting Entries for Spectrum 2026This year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards will feature two new categories.
SourcingJun 24, 2026
Columbia Gem House To Offer Alexandrite Melee OnlineThe collection features traceable alexandrite from Brazil in calibrated sizes that is sorted by grade.
MajorsJun 24, 2026
CaratLane Names New Chief Sales OfficerDhaval Raja has been appointed to the role.
CollectionsJun 23, 2026
Francesca Villa Goes ‘On the Road’The capsule collection looks to vintage trunk pins that echo the spirit of speed, freedom, and the mythology of the American road trip.
SourcingJun 23, 2026
New Paraíba Tourmaline Source Reportedly Discovered in EthiopiaSSEF issued a notice about the potential new source of the sought-after gemstone, citing “credible reports” from trade sources.
MajorsJun 23, 2026
Etsy Says ‘Shop Other Jeffs’ This Prime DayAs Amazon Prime Day kicks off, Etsy is encouraging shoppers to support small businesses.
Events & AwardsJun 23, 2026
AGA Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnerCole Winward is the recipient of 2026 AGA Gemological Scholarship.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Plans Announced for New Trade Show in BaselScheduled for April 2027, Basilia will be the first watch and jewelry trade show held in Basel since the collapse of Baselworld in 2020.
Events & AwardsJun 22, 2026
Gem Awards Opens 2027 Nomination PeriodSubmissions for the milestone 25th annual Gem Awards will be accepted across three categories from now through July 31.
WatchesJun 22, 2026
Snoopy Inspires New ‘Flying Ace’ Ball WatchThe beloved beagle dons his aviator outfit for the new Engineer Master II Snoopy Flying Ace timepiece.
AuctionsJun 18, 2026
Paraíba Tourmalines Sell for $3.4M at Sotheby'sThe recent high jewelry auction, which also featured the sale of a 10-carat blue diamond, was “a celebration of color.”
CollectionsJun 18, 2026
Michelle Obama Wears Almasika Earrings Symbolizing Feminine PowerShe wore the “Le Cauri Endiamanté” earrings, our Piece of the Week, in the Obamas’ first dual portrait for the Obama Presidential Center.
PodcastsJun 17, 2026
Episode 6: Las Vegas 2026-Trends, Traffic, Broken BathroomsCouture’s Michelle Orman joins Amanda Gizzi and Michelle Graff for this special post-Market Week episode of My Next Question.
GradingJun 17, 2026
SSEF Issues Warning on Refilled EmeraldsThe lab is seeing emeralds with filler added post-testing enter the market, accompanied by reports that indicate little to no treatment.
WatchesJun 17, 2026
Patek Philippe’s ‘Visionary’ Leader Philippe Stern Dies at 88 The third generation of the Stern family to head Patek Philippe, he navigated the “quartz crisis” and preserved the brand’s independence.
