Mariam Naficy, the visionary founder behind cosmetics retailer Eve and design marketplace Minted, is making waves in the jewelry industry with her latest venture, Arcade AI. This innovative marketplace empowers users to take creative control by allowing them to design their own jewelry pieces using a generative AI platforms.
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Launched in beta this September, Arcade AI invites customers—dubbed "Dreamers"—to input their ideas into a generator that produces a variety of jewelry designs. Users can also upload images to inspire their creations. Once a design, or "Dream," is chosen, it is assigned to one of Arcade’s skilled artisans who transforms the digital concept into a physical piece of jewelry, including options like bracelets, charms, earrings, necklaces, and rings. Customers can select from various materials such as gold, brass, silver, and an array of gemstones including diamonds, garnets, and rubies.
I had the opportunity to test the generator myself. After sharing my personal preferences—particularly my fondness for opals—the AI produced a delicate gold floral necklace tailored to my taste. After placing my order with Studio Maisette, one of the design studios on the platform, I received a video of the finished product for approval just days later. The entire process took about two weeks from order placement to delivery.
While the necklace may appear simple at first glance, it resonates with my aesthetic perfectly. The trio of opals included in the design were also confirmed to be of high quality by my gemologist friend. However, I did encounter some challenges during the design process; for instance, the AI struggled to incorporate multiple charms into one necklace and had difficulty creating complex shapes like a twenty-sided die.
To ensure manufacturability, Naficy explained that they must constrain the models based on what artisans can realistically produce. Fortunately, Arcade provides an editing tool that allows users to modify elements of their designs. Despite this feature, not all modifications turned out as envisioned.
Naficy is committed to enhancing the platform's capabilities with plans for a "magic editor" that includes image prompt adapters—small models enabling pre-trained text-to-image diffusion models to generate images based on user prompts. Future updates may also allow users to select specific parts of an image for modification or repositioning.
Designing custom jewelry on Arcade can be costly; intricate designs may exceed $1,000, while simpler pieces start around $100. Shipping fees range from $10 to $30, aligning with typical costs for custom-designed jewelry. For reference, my personalized piece was priced at $186 with an additional $10 for shipping.
The cost varies based on material selection, object size, and additional specifications like necklace chain length or other custom requests noted in the comments section during order placement. Artisans set their own prices and must approve designs before proceeding with production.
Importantly, even if users are unable to purchase their designs on Arcade, Naficy encourages them to enjoy the creative process and share their designs on "Dream Boards" featured on their profiles. “We want this experience to be magical and fun,” she stated. “People should feel free to create just for enjoyment without the pressure to buy.”
Furthermore, "Dreamers" can earn a 2.5% commission on sales from their designs. To qualify as a seller on Arcade, users must have at least 100 followers and either sell three items or generate $500 in sales. Soon, they will have the ability to set their own pricing.
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The use of an AI generator for jewelry design could raise concerns among traditional designers regarding intellectual property rights and potential job displacement due to automation. However, Naficy reports that artisans on Arcade view it differently—as a means to enhance business by better understanding consumer desires.
“They were very receptive,” Naficy noted. “They see it as an opportunity to engage directly with consumers.” She also reassured that the AI model is designed not to replicate any uploaded images exactly.
Having spent 15 years at Minted witnessing artists' struggles with copyright infringement issues firsthand, Naficy emphasizes her commitment to protecting creators' rights within Arcade’s framework.
Looking ahead, Arcade plans to expand its offerings beyond jewelry into categories such as accessories and apparel—potentially competing with platforms like Off/Script that support artists in funding AI-designed products across various sectors.
In terms of future features, Naficy aims to introduce more social elements where sellers can express gratitude towards buyers and community members can interact more freely. Arcade may also host design competitions where winners receive free jewelry based on popular votes.
With significant backing—$17 million from notable investors including Ashton Kutcher and Reid Hoffman—Arcade is poised for growth in both user engagement and product offerings as it continues redefining creativity in commerce.