JewelCloud Rents You a Catalog. A Custom Build Lets You Own One.
Own your platform, or rent theirs
JewelCloud vs a custom-built jewelry platform: ownership, lock-in, B2B trade terms, and cost compared. When to rent SaaS, and when to own your code.
Custom Build
JewelCloud
Feature Comparison
| Feature | Custom Build | JewelCloud |
|---|---|---|
| Ring builder | Built around your own inventory | RingBuilder (shared module) |
| B2C storefront | Included, feature-flag gated | Via your connected store |
| Code ownership | You own it (your GitHub) | No, SaaS and vendor-hosted |
| Vendor lock-in | None, fully portable | Platform-dependent |
| Data portability | Full, your database | Vendor-controlled |
| Storefront stack | Any (Next.js, headless, custom) | Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento, custom |
| SEO / AEO control | Full, on your own domain | On their platform |
| Catalog data model | Custom to your SKUs and tiers | Standardized network feed |
| Stone / diamond sourcing | Your suppliers and ERP (e.g. GATI) | DiamondLink network |
| B2B trade terms (memo, tiers, credit) | Built exactly to your terms | Generic or limited |
What is Custom Build?
A jewelry trade platform built for your business and owned by you: catalog, memo, ring builder, and storefront, all on code in your own repository.
What is JewelCloud?
A hosted B2B jewelry catalog network connecting retailers and suppliers, with product feeds plus RingBuilder and DiamondLink modules.
Key Differences
Ownership
JewelCloud is software you rent: it runs on their servers under their terms. A custom build is software you own, committed to your repository from day one. On final payment the code, content, and data are yours.
Data model and control
JewelCloud standardizes jewelry data across its network, which is efficient but generic. A custom build models your exact SKUs, tiers, memo rules, and credit terms, so the platform fits how you actually trade.
Cost shape
JewelCloud is a recurring subscription or quote that never ends. A custom build is a fixed project fee: higher upfront, but you stop paying once it ships and there are no per-seat fees.
Lock-in
Leaving a SaaS platform means rebuilding what you relied on. A custom build has no lock-in: it runs in your own Vercel and Supabase accounts, and any developer can maintain it.
Performance Comparison
| Metric | Custom Build | JewelCloud |
|---|---|---|
| Hosting | Your Vercel + Supabase accounts | Vendor-hosted |
| Core Web Vitals | Lighthouse 95+ target | Depends on connected store |
Custom Build
- You own the code and data outright
- Built to your exact trade terms (memo, tiers, credit)
- No per-seat or subscription fees
- No vendor lock-in: any developer can maintain it
- Higher upfront cost than a subscription
- Takes weeks to build, not instant
- You or your agency own maintenance
JewelCloud
- Fast to set up, nothing to build
- Access to a supplier and retailer network
- Drop-ship showcase without holding stock
- Integrates with Shopify, WooCommerce, Magento
- You do not own the platform or code
- Standardized data model, less control
- Ongoing subscription or quote-based cost
- Catalog and customizations live on their terms
Can You Migrate?
Yes. We've migrated 5,000+ sites between platforms. We handle data migration, content modeling, frontend rebuilds, and SEO preservation. Every migration is zero-downtime.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is JewelCloud worth it?
JewelCloud is worth it if you want a fast, no-build way to plug into a supplier network and drop-ship a catalog. If you need a platform that fits your exact B2B terms (memo, tiers, credit) and that you own outright with no subscription, a custom build is the stronger long-term option.
Can I move off JewelCloud later?
Moving off any SaaS platform means rebuilding the parts you relied on, because the code and much of the data live on the vendor side. A custom build avoids this: it runs in your own accounts and any developer can take it over, so you are never locked in.
What does a custom jewelry platform cost?
A custom B2B jewelry platform is a fixed project fee, typically low-to-mid five figures depending on scope (catalog, memo, ring builder, B2C). Unlike a subscription, you pay once and own the result, with no per-seat or recurring platform fees.
JewelCloud or a custom build for a wholesaler?
For a wholesaler with specific memo, consignment, and tier-pricing rules, a custom build usually wins: it models those terms exactly and you own the data. JewelCloud suits retailers who want network catalog access without building anything.
Does a custom build include a ring builder?
Yes. A custom build can include a ring builder wired to your own loose-stone inventory, with live certificate and pricing data. Same idea as JewelCloud RingBuilder, but built around your stock and owned by you.
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