Best Jewelry Design Software in 2026 - Complete Guide
Introduction
<span class="drop-cap">Choosing the right software for jewelry design is one of the most important decisions for designers and design studios. In this article, we'll introduce the best jewelry design software and help you choose the best option for your needs.
MatrixGold - The King of Jewelry Design
What is MatrixGold?
MatrixGold is one of the most professional and popular jewelry design software in the world, developed by Gemvision. This software is specifically designed for the gold and jewelry industry and has many specialized tools for this industry.
Key Features of MatrixGold:
- Stone Library: Over 1000 precious and semi-precious stones with standard sizes
- Stone Setting Tools: Specialized tools for setting stones in various mounts
- Parametric Design: Ability to change size and details parametrically
- Realistic Rendering: V-Ray render engine for high-quality images
- Rhino Compatibility: Built on Rhino and has all Rhino capabilities
- Specialized Plugins: Various plugins for different jewelry types
Advantages of MatrixGold:
- Simple and easy-to-learn interface
- Specialized tools for jewelry industry
- Excellent technical support
- Large user community and abundant educational resources
- Regular updates
Disadvantages of MatrixGold:
- High price (around $3000 for permanent license)
- Requires powerful hardware
- Windows only
MatrixGold Pricing:
MatrixGold is available in two versions:
- MatrixGold 2: Around $3000 (permanent license)
- MatrixGold Subscription: Around $150 per month
Rhino (Rhinoceros 3D) - The Foundation of Many Software
What is Rhino?
Rhino 3D is a general 3D modeling software used in many industries including jewelry design. MatrixGold and many other software are built on Rhino.
Key Features of Rhino:
- NURBS Modeling: Precise modeling with NURBS curves
- SubD Modeling: Organic modeling with SubDivision surfaces
- Grasshopper: Parametric and algorithmic design tool
- Abundant Plugins: Thousands of plugins for various applications
- Multi-format Compatibility: Input and output with over 30 file formats
Advantages of Rhino:
- More affordable price compared to MatrixGold
- High flexibility
- Usable in various industries
- Supports Mac and Windows
- Abundant educational resources
Disadvantages of Rhino:
- Fewer specialized jewelry tools than MatrixGold
- Requires more learning for jewelry design
- More complex interface
Rhino Pricing:
- Rhino 7: Around $995 (permanent license)
- Rhino Subscription: Around $95 per year
ZBrush - The King of Digital Sculpting
What is ZBrush?
ZBrush is a digital sculpting software used for creating organic and complex forms. In jewelry design, ZBrush is used for creating artistic designs, small sculptures, and organic details.
Key Features of ZBrush:
- Digital Sculpting: Digital sculpting with stylus pen
- Dynamesh: Dynamic topology changes
- ZRemesher: Automatic topology reconstruction
- Brushes: Hundreds of different brushes for various effects
- High-Resolution: Ability to work with millions of polygons
Advantages of ZBrush:
- Best software for digital sculpting
- Ability to create complex organic forms
- Unique interface
- Large user community
Disadvantages of ZBrush:
- Unusual interface and hard to learn
- Suitable for organic forms, not geometric
- Requires stylus pen for best experience
ZBrush Pricing:
- ZBrush: Around $895 (permanent license)
- ZBrush Subscription: Around $40 per month
Other Important Software
1. Blender (Free)
Blender is a free and open-source software with modeling, animation, and rendering capabilities. It's a good option for starting jewelry design but lacks specialized jewelry tools.
- Price: Free
- Suitable for: Beginners and personal projects
2. JewelCAD
JewelCAD is a specialized jewelry design software very popular in Asia. It has a simple interface but is not as advanced as MatrixGold.
- Price: Around $2000
- Suitable for: Asian designers and simple projects
3. 3Design
3Design is a French jewelry design software with good tools but less popular globally than MatrixGold.
- Price: Around 4000 euros
- Suitable for: European market
4. Tinkercad (Free)
Tinkercad is a simple online tool for 3D modeling suitable for beginners but not sufficient for professional jewelry design.
- Price: Free
- Suitable for: Education and simple projects
Software Comparison
Software Price Level Suitable for
MatrixGold
$3000
Professional
Jewelry design studios
Rhino
$995
Professional
General and jewelry designers
ZBrush
$895
Professional
Sculpting and organic forms
Blender
Free
Intermediate
Beginners and personal projects
JewelCAD
$2000
Intermediate
Asian market
Which Software Should We Choose?
For Professional Studios:
MatrixGold + ZBrush
This combination gives the best results for professional jewelry design. MatrixGold for the geometric part and ZBrush for the organic part.
For Independent Designers:
Rhino + ZBrush
This combination costs less and is still professional.
For Beginners:
Blender
For starting, Blender is a good option because it's free and has abundant educational resources.
Important Tips for Choosing Software
- Budget: First, determine your budget
- Experience Level: If you're a beginner, start with simpler software
- Project Types: If you have organic projects, ZBrush is necessary
- Hardware: Make sure your computer can run the software
- Support: Choose software with good support
Conclusion
Choosing the right software depends on your needs, budget, and experience level. For professional jewelry design, MatrixGold is the best option, but Rhino and ZBrush are also excellent choices.
At Aurel Studio, we use a combination of MatrixGold, Rhino, and ZBrush to create the best results for your projects.
Written by
Aurel Jewelry Design Studio
Aurel Studio brings over 15 years of expertise in jewelry design and 3D modeling, offering specialized services in CAD design, resin printing, and casting.
Have a project in mind?
Let's Create Together
From conceptual design to final production, the Aurel team is with you. Get in touch today.
←Previous
The Role of CAD in Streamlining Jewelry Manufacturing
Next→
How much does jewelry design cost
