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Caratwise Redefines Custom Jewelry with Innovative Platform and New CEO David Berdugo
Empowering Jewelers: The Future of Custom Creations
Introducing the Intelligent Platform for Tailored Jewelry
Caratwise has unveiled its cutting-edge platform, a comprehensive solution aimed at transforming the custom jewelry experience for independent jewelers. This system seamlessly integrates the entire process from initial design concepts to final delivery.
Leadership Transition: David Berdugo Takes the Helm
David Berdugo, previously the Chief Operating Officer for prominent online bridal brands Blue Nile and James Allen, now leads Caratwise. His decade of experience in scaling digital-first enterprises will be instrumental in guiding Caratwise to support and enhance independent retail operations.
A Strategic Pivot to Support Independent Retailers
Berdugo's move to Caratwise marks a deliberate shift from his previous role, where he contributed to the success of platforms that challenged traditional independent jewelers. Now, he is dedicated to building an infrastructure that specifically strengthens these very businesses.
Addressing Key Challenges for Modern Jewelers
Independent jewelers frequently encounter challenges such as shrinking profit margins, unpredictable supply chains, and increasing consumer demand for personalized and swift services. The Caratwise platform is engineered to directly tackle these issues, offering precise pricing, clear design visualizations, and dependable delivery timelines within a single, streamlined workflow, facilitating a 'Same-Day Yes' for customers.
Integrated Solutions for Enhanced Efficiency
Unlike conventional ring configurators or online marketplaces, Caratwise provides a holistic solution that combines product customization, automated pricing algorithms, and vertically integrated manufacturing processes through its proprietary operational framework. This synergy enables jewelers to confidently finalize custom orders during a single customer interaction.
The Assurance Jewelers Need
Berdugo emphasizes that jewelers require assurance, not just more tools. Caratwise delivers this by granting them comprehensive control over pricing, production, and delivery within an intuitive workflow, fundamentally changing the sales approach for custom orders.
Collaborative Development and Future Expansion
The platform's development involved close collaboration with experienced retailers and manufacturing partners, ensuring that technology serves to amplify, rather than replace, the jeweler's expertise. The system dynamically adjusts pricing to reflect current metal costs, diamond selections, and production variables, eliminating uncertainties from the custom ordering process. Caratwise is currently expanding its reach by onboarding selected independent retailers across the United States and plans a broader rollout following its exhibition at JCK in 2026.
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