Top CES Jewelry Tech Trends: Smart Displays, AR Try-Ons, and Scanner Tools

Stop guessing—start testing: CES 2026 tech you can use in your jewelry shop now

Retail jewelry owners and designers tell us the same things: customers want to try before they buy, verification is a constant headache, and visual merchandising that used to work no longer does. At CES 2026, exhibitors turned those frustrations into usable tools—standalone and integrated solutions that are ready for small businesses. This roundup shows exactly which CES trends matter for jewelry retail today, how fast you can adopt them, and what a realistic investment looks like for a small shop.

Quick summary: The four CES-driven trends reshaping jewelry retail in 2026

• AR try-ons and virtual mirrors: Mature consumer apps and in-store kiosks that reduce returns and increase conversion.
• Smart displays and ambient tech: Energy-efficient, content-driven shelves and lamps that marry mood lighting with shoppable overlays.
• Portable 3D scanners & consumer-grade scanners: Faster customization, remounting workflows, and provenance capture.
• AI-assisted image and authenticity scanners: Tools that help staff and customers validate cut, color, and treatments—still not a replacement for gem labs, but a powerful first-line filter.

Why these CES trends matter in 2026

CES 2026 showcased a second wave of refinement: not bleeding-edge prototypes but polished products aimed at business buyers. Industry reviews from late 2025 and early 2026 show vendors shipping functional AR SDKs, affordable RGBIC lighting systems, and compact 3D scanners that run from phones or handheld units. These aren’t theoretical anymore—retailers can deploy them without a major IT overhaul.

That matters because customers now expect frictionless discovery online and tactile confidence in store. Integrating a few of these technologies can directly reduce return rates, increase basket size, and create unique experiences that differentiate independent jewelers from big-box competitors.

Trend 1 — AR try-on: From impulse to informed purchase

What changed at CES 2026

AR try-on moved from novelty to reliability. Vendors at CES emphasized improved face and hand tracking, measured fit simulation, and SDKs that plug into POS and e-commerce platforms. Several companies also announced offline-capable AR kiosks for stores—important for shops with limited internet or for customers who prefer in-person guidance.

Why it's useful for jewelers

AR reduces hesitation: Customers who can see a ring or necklace on their own body are likelier to buy. AR also increases average order value by cross-selling complementary pieces in the virtual scene.

Data for merchandising: Analytics from AR sessions reveal which styles customers try most, enabling smarter inventory buys and better staff coaching. If you plan to measure these outcomes, pair AR rollout with a KPI dashboard such as an authority & KPI dashboard to track conversion and AOV improvements.

Adoption timeline & investment guide

• Immediate (0–6 months): Add an AR try-on widget to your e-commerce. Cost: low to medium ($0–$1,500/year). Many vendors now offer plug-and-play modules that integrate with Shopify and WooCommerce.
• Near-term (6–18 months): Install a tablet-based in-store AR kiosk. Cost: medium ($1,500–$6,000). Budget includes tablet, kiosk stand, SDK subscription, and staff training.
• Long-term (18+ months): Custom AR experiences linked to CRM and inventory. Cost: high ($10,000+). Ideal only after you’ve validated demand and collected AR analytics.

Actionable checklist

• Start with a free or low-cost AR plugin; measure conversion uplift for 90 days.
• Label items that perform well in AR for cross-sell bundles.
• Train staff to use AR as a consultation tool, not a replacement for expertise.

Trend 2 — Smart displays and ambient tech: Lighting that sells

What CES revealed

At CES 2026, lighting vendors showcased RGBIC lamps and smart shelves that link lighting profiles with product metadata. For example, a smart lamp can shift from cool daylight for diamond inspections to warm tones for gold displays—with an app-triggered 'inspect' mode. Discounted consumer smart lamps that perform well as mood pieces were heavily promoted in late 2025, signaling economies of scale that make professional-grade units accessible to small retailers. For hands-on tips on lighting setups that improve product shots and in-store inspection, see From CES to Camera.

Why lighting is now a tech play

Accurate color rendering: Proper lighting helps customers perceive gemstones correctly and reduces post-purchase complaints about mismatch.

Emotional merchandising: Lighting changes can create scenes for seasonal campaigns or individualized appointments, improving dwell time.

Adoption timeline & investment guide

• Immediate: Replace a few fixtures with high-CRI (90+) smart lamps ($100–$400 per lamp). Test different profiles during appointments — product knowledge resources such as the smart lamps checklist help teams choose presets and upsell opportunities.
• Near-term: Install smart shelves and integrated displays ($2,000–$8,000). These can be leased or bought, and often include content management for product loops.
• Long-term: Full store lighting automation tied to POS and CRM for personalized experiences ($10k+).

Practical tip

Use a consistent 'inspection' lighting profile for photos used online to reduce returns caused by differences between online images and in-person perception. For photo-delivery workflows and edge-first editing, see resources on the evolution of photo delivery UX.

Trend 3 — 3D scanners: Faster custom work and better listings

The shift shown at CES

3D scanning tech advanced in two directions: consumer-accessible phone-based scanning apps (inspired by Optimizer-style demos) and affordable dedicated handheld scanners that capture fine details for mounting and appraisal workflows. Vendors emphasized improved texture capture for gemstones and minute prong geometry—useful for remounts and repairs.

Why jewelers should care

Custom fittings: Accurate 3D scans reduce millwork guesswork and speed up CAD/digital previews.

Improved product pages: 3D models on listings increase time on page and buyer confidence—especially for high-ticket items. Want to convert those models into better listing copy and AI-ready pages? See guidance on turning listings into AI-friendly content.

Adoption timeline & investment guide

• Immediate: Use phone-based scanning apps for simple inventory capture and custom in-store demos (low cost; many free tiers).
• Near-term: Buy a compact handheld scanner for detailed capture ($2,000–$8,000). Prioritize units with color texture capture and reliable small-part accuracy.
• Long-term: Integrate scans into a full CAD/CAM pipeline with in-house 3D printing or partner labs ($20,000+ if bringing fabrication in-house).

Actionable workflow

1. Scan customer rings before remounting; store model in CRM.
2. Offer 3D previews for custom jobs to decrease revision cycles.
3. Embed lightweight 3D viewers on product pages to increase engagement — pair with DAM and content workflows like those described in scaling vertical video & DAM workflows.

Trend 4 — Scanner tools and AI for authenticity checks

Where the technology stands in 2026

AI-based imaging tools presented at CES 2026 are more transparent about limitations. They now offer probability scores (e.g., 'high likelihood of lab treatment' or 'surface inclusion pattern consistent with lab-grown') rather than absolute claims. The best vendors combine spectroscopy attachments and machine learning to flag items for full lab testing.

Practical role in retail

First-line validation: These tools shorten the sales funnel by giving staff quick flags that inform conversation and pricing.

Chain-of-custody and marketing: Simple provenance records generated at point-of-scan can be attached to product pages and NFTs for customers who want digital proof of inspection. For hands-on comparisons of on-device care and service economics, see our smart jewelry care systems field review.

Adoption timeline & investment guide

• Immediate: Subscribe to cloud-based image-analysis services for smartphone photos (low cost; $100–$500/year). Use them as an internal reference only.
• Near-term: Invest in a tabletop spectrometer or handheld gem spectrometer for $3,000–$12,000 to provide stronger evidence before sending items to a lab.
• Long-term: Create a validated in-house pipeline with calibrated devices, documented SOPs, and conditional offers tied to on-site checks ($25k+ including training and lab partnerships).

Trust and transparency

Use scanner outputs as conversation starters, not guarantees. Clearly disclose that advanced devices give probabilistic results and that a gemological lab certificate remains the gold standard.

Putting it together: A 12-month roadmap for small shops

Not every retailer should buy everything. Below is a practical phased plan that balances cashflow and customer impact.

Months 0–3: Low-cost wins

• Install an AR widget on your e-commerce site. Track conversion and return rate changes.
• Replace key display bulbs with high-CRI smart lamps and create an 'inspection' preset.
• Train staff—short sessions (1–2 hours) on using AR and lighting presets during consultations.

Months 4–9: Invest in hybrid tools

• Add a tablet AR kiosk for appointments (rent or purchase depending on budget).
• Buy a mid-range handheld 3D scanner for custom work and online 3D listings.
• Subscribe to image-analysis authenticity services and create documentation templates for customers.

Months 10–18: Scale what works

• Integrate AR data with CRM and product analytics to refine merchandising and buying decisions.
• Expand scanning and lighting across stores or roll out pop-up tech experiences at events.
• Consider a partnership with a local gem lab for streamlined confirmatory testing.

Budgeting, ROI, and how to measure success

Set clear KPIs before investing: conversion lift, average order value (AOV), return rate reduction, appointment bookings, and time-to-completion for custom jobs. Typical ROI milestones after a modest investment (e.g., $3–8k) are visible within 6–12 months if you track these metrics.

Example: A $4,500 outlay for an AR kiosk and handheld scanner that increases conversion by 5% and AOV by 8% can pay back within 9–12 months in a store with $1M annual sales.

Vendor selection: What to ask at demo

• Does the AR SDK support accurate hand/ring sizing and lighting-matched previews?
• Can 3D scans export to common CAD formats (STL, OBJ) and integrate with your jeweler's CAD software?
• What are the subscription terms, data ownership, and export rights for customer scans and AR analytics? Consider procurement and security guidance such as the FedRAMP & procurement playbooks when evaluating vendor contracts.
• How does the authenticity tool express uncertainty? Does it generate a human-readable report you can share?
• What is the vendor’s update cadence and roadmap—especially for security and model retraining?

Staffing and training: People make the tech work

Tech is only as good as the team that uses it. Allocate 8–16 hours of paid training for sales staff when deploying AR or scanners. Create one-page cheat sheets for consultation flows and have staff practice with real customers in staged appointments.

Consider hiring a part-time 'tech champion' responsible for content updates (lighting presets, AR models, and 3D viewers). For a small shop, this role can be 4–8 hrs/week and delivered by an existing employee with interest in digital tools.

Legal, privacy, and customer trust

When you capture 3D scans or biometric images (faces, hands), make privacy prominent. Store consent forms and explain how long you retain scans. Follow local regulations and best practices; CES vendors often now ship with privacy-by-design features, but documentation varies. If you need templates and a starting point for consent and retention language, consult a privacy policy template to adapt for scans and biometric capture.

Real-world examples and case studies

At a boutique retailer in Phoenix we worked with in late 2025, a simple AR widget and two high-CRI smart lamps increased appointment bookings by 22% and reduced ring returns by 17% within 90 days. Another mid-size independent jeweler introduced a handheld 3D scanner in early 2026 to accelerate remount workflows—custom job turnaround time dropped by 35%.

These are typical results when shops start small and iterate.

Risks and how to mitigate them

• Overbuying: Pilot low-cost solutions first; avoid custom integrations until you have data.
• Customer confusion: Use staff to guide tech-enabled experiences—don’t leave customers alone with unfamiliar kiosks.
• False security: Treat AI authenticity outputs as preliminary and communicate limits clearly; also consider controls to reduce bias in AI workflows.

Future predictions through 2027

Expect tighter integration between AR, POS, and CRM by late 2026. Smart displays will get mini-OS updates that allow direct shoppable links—imagine touching a display tile to reserve an item. 3D scanning accuracy for small gemstones will continue to improve, making in-store digital remount approvals standard by 2027. Finally, vendor ecosystems will mature: bundling AR, lighting, and scanners into monthly packages aimed at SMB jewelers will make adoption even cheaper.

Final actionable checklist before you leave this page

• Pick one low-cost AR plugin and test it for 90 days.
• Replace inspection lighting with a high-CRI smart lamp and create a preset.
• Run a small pilot with a phone-based 3D scanning app during custom consultations.
• Subscribe to an image-analysis authenticity service to inform—but not replace—lab testing.

Conclusion & next step

CES 2026 showed an important shift: jewelry tech is no longer vaporware. Smart displays, AR try-ons, and improved scanner tools are ready for meaningful, measurable impact in small retail settings. Start with low-cost pilots, measure the right KPIs, and scale what moves the needle.

Ready to choose the right CES-inspired tech for your store? Contact our team for a free 20-minute audit of your shop floor and a personalized 12-month adoption roadmap tailored to your budget and goals.

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