Joe Menzie, a seasoned gem dealer with over 48 years of experience, has launched an innovative new project called Gemstone Genius, designed to make gemstones more accessible and desirable to consumers. Menzie, who retired in 2022, has returned to Tucson's gem shows to sell a friend’s gemstone collection, but his real focus is on launching the app that could transform the gemstone market.
Menzie’s goal with Gemstone Genius is to simplify the often confusing world of colored gemstones for both consumers and sales associates. The app uses a custom version of ChatGPT to provide users with in-depth history, lore, and recommendations for gemstones based on personalized prompts. For example, users can upload photos and input personal information to receive gemstone suggestions tailored to the recipient’s personality, preferences, and even astrological birthstones.
But Menzie didn’t stop there. The app also offers custom design ideas and connects consumers to retail stores and manufacturers like JewelCraft and Overnight Mountings. By providing tools for jewelers, the app intends to help consumers design personalized jewelry with ease, from picking the perfect stone to selecting the ideal setting.
Menzie is also determined to tackle the “birthstone gifting market,” a space where he believes gemstones have yet to receive the attention they deserve, citing that gemstones currently only account for 7% of fine jewelry sales. With the Gemstone Genius app, Menzie hopes to create the same kind of emotional connection that diamonds have in the market by offering consumers more tools, education, and opportunities to explore gemstones as meaningful gifts for loved ones.
Will Gemstone Genius be the key to unlocking the potential of the gemstone market? Menzie is certainly hoping it will be the tool retailers need to boost sales and inspire a new generation of gemstone lovers.