IJC takes custom-made jewellery to the next level

The Independent Jewellers Collective (IJC) has announced the launch of an app, exclusive to members, which will allow stores to access all digital assets associated with the group's support of custom jewellery design.

IJC will officially launch the ‘Collective Gems App’ at the Australian Jewellery Fair in Adelaide in April. The app is available at the Apple Store and on Google Play.

The app focuses on custom jewellery manufacturing and will allow images, renders, and videos to be shared with customers in real time. It has taken more than three years to develop and will provide members with direct access to a design team based in Europe.

"We knew that custom design was a huge area of opportunity for all independent jewellery retailers, and this is something that we have worked on relentlessly."
Joshua Zarb, Independent Jewellers Collective

IJC CEO Joshua Zarb said that his group has invested more than $300,000 in improving custom-made jewellery services for members over the past three years, and that the new app marked the culmination of these efforts.

“We knew that custom design was a huge area of opportunity for all independent jewellery retailers, and this is something that we have worked on relentlessly,” Zarb told Jeweller.

“The best part is that all the hard work we have done directly supports all our local preferred supply partners, as all manufacturing of items is done exclusively from our own local supplier base. 

“We have long-term IJC supply partners that are currently trading well into triple-digit growth with us this year, which is just sensational in the current jewellery landscape.”

IJC offers members comprehensive market support, including access to a CAD design team, e-commerce integration for custom design, integrated diamond plug-ins, and high-resolution renders and videos to enhance the store’s design libraries.

IJC celebrated its fifth anniversary last year in Sydney. Discussing the new app, Zarb said that physical samples are also available to ensure that members can provide customers with a seamless in-store and digital experience.

“We are focused on being the most innovative and forward-thinking buying group with a true-hands on support model for Australia and New Zealand’s best jewellery retailers,” he explained.

“We are a boutique group with amazing stores, and we choose to partner with only the most proactive retailers and suppliers. This model has proven to be very successful as we have grown from zero to 116 stores, and the best is yet to come.”

Zarb added: “We love what we do, and we have a management team that live and breathe jewellery retail, our marketing team are some of the best in the industry today.”

The Australian Jewellery Fair is scheduled for April 19-20 at the Adelaide Convention Centre, with the IJC Partners Conference taking place prior to the trade show.