Gemfields Supports GemCloud
Gemfields invites forward-thinking coloured gemstone industry participants of good standing to join Gemfields as partners in Gemdustry.
As a result of the establishment of Gemdustry, GemCloud Group gets one new (non-controlling) ‘anchor’ investor which is owned by a number of coloured gemstone industry participants. This structure allows GemCloud Group to retain its independence and neutrality while benefitting from industry backing, experience, and input in shaping this online coloured gemstone platform (theGemCloud.com) and marketplace for cut-and-polished coloured gemstones (Gemolith.com).
Gemfields believes that an independent, trusted online marketplace for cut and polished coloured gemstones, supported by a cross-section of coloured gemstone industry participants, is a logical step in the ongoing growth and development of the industry. At present, the coloured gemstone sector is still characterised by many vendors operating their own online sales platforms and offering their own inventory. This structure complicates the process for buyers who are forced to scour multiple websites. As many other industries have experienced, this “early stage” structure inevitably morphs over time toward an “aggregator” or “comparison” model which offers far greater inventory in a single platform and facilitates a smoother, more efficient process for buyers and sellers, leading to further sector growth.
GemCloud Group, founded in 2019, is a tech start-up in the coloured gemstone digitisation space that has developed an impressive cloud-based inventory management platform (theGemCloud.com) and an online B2B marketplace (Gemolith.com) transforming access for and to buyers and sellers, and vastly improving the speed and convenience with which they can transact, all in a reliable and vetted environment. On the Gemolith.com B2B marketplace, GemCloud acts as the counterparty to facilitate transactions and mitigate credit risk, allowing jewellers to buy in a vetted, secure environment.
A stand-out differentiating feature of the Gemolith.com B2B marketplace is the standardisation of imagery, videos and nomenclature for all gemstones, allowing gems to be directly compared onscreen using identical lighting conditions and scale settings. This is achieved via GemCloud’s partner laboratories, who use both identical technology and the GemCloud grading system to digitise, photograph, video, grade and certify the inventory. In addition, GemCloud’s regional offices provide supply chain and logistics facilitation, supporting buyers and sellers, and fulfilling gemstone sales (including shipping and logistics). TheGemCloud.com offers users an exceptional inventory management system built specifically to solve the day-to-day challenges of the gemstone industry. GemCloud offers many features demanded from top-flight ERP systems such as inventory management, consignments, billing, traceable manufacturing and stock audits. Moreover, GemCloud offers an array of sales channels with which to better sell selected gemstone inventory.
For jewellery brands, designers, and manufacturers, Gemolith.com offers a curated B2B marketplace, including for responsibly sourced coloured gemstones from some of the most sought-after gemstone suppliers in the world. Multiple gemstone laboratory certificates can be uploaded for each gemstone. Additional tools allow gem buyers to filter for the parameters that matter most to them, such as their preferred gemstone laboratory, the country of origin (where known) or the mine of origin (where known). As such, GemCloud facilitates integrity and confidence in the coloured gemstone sector, in turn fostering industry growth.
«Gemfields is delighted to support GemCloud, an exciting platform for the coloured gemstone industry, boosting access to and for buyers and sellers. Parties interested in joining Gemdustry can play a role in shaping and contributing to what we hope will become the pivotal marketplace for coloured gemstones», said Algy Strutt, Manager of New Projects at Gemfields.
«GemCloud believes that, in working closely with key industry participants, we will transform the way that coloured gemstones are bought and sold, spurring further growth for our industry. It is a natural evolution of innovation, and we strive to improve the industry and help businesses of all sizes to access and sell responsibly sourced coloured gemstones with competitive prices in a safe environment». concludes Veronica Favoroso, CEO & Co-Founder of GemCloud.
Federica Frosini, Editor in chief VO+
