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Head-to-head · Jewelry Design Software

3Design CAD vs CounterSketch

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 5 checks side by side
Higher score 3Design CAD #1 in Jewelry Design Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit 3Design CAD
CounterSketch #7 in Jewelry Design Software 8.4/10 15-day trial Free trial✓ 3 of 5 features Visit CounterSketch

3Design CAD leads on 0 checks, CounterSketch on 0, and 5 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 5 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest score3Design CAD · 9.3/10
  • Free trialonly CounterSketch
  • Most featuresCounterSketch · 3 of 5

3Design CAD scores higher on our rubric for jewelry design software: 9.3 against 8.4 out of 10; our editors rank them #1 and #7.

3Design CAD is the better fit for professional jewelry CAD teams. CounterSketch is the better fit for retailers offering guided customization.

  • 3Design CAD fits best

    Professional jewelry CAD teams

  • CounterSketch fits best

    Retailers offering guided customization

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Side by side

Feature 3Design CAD 9.3/10 Visit ↗ CounterSketch 8.4/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.3 8.4
Ranking #1 in Jewelry Design Software #7 in Jewelry Design Software
Best for Professional jewelry CAD teams Retailers offering guided customization
Pricing model Paid Paid
Starting price Pricing on request —
Free plan Not checked yet —
Free trial — 15 days
Deployment Desktop Desktop
Platforms Windows, macOS Windows, macOS
Support Email, Phone Phone, Docs
Built for Small business, Mid-market Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features 3Design CAD 1/5 · CounterSketch 3/5
Parametric modeling ✓ (best) Not checked yet
Ring sizing tools Not checked yet Not checked yet
Stone setting tools Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Photorealistic rendering Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Manufacturing export Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Supported platforms Not checked yet Desktop
File export formats Not checked yet Not checked yet
Our review
Pros
  • Jewelry-specific tools for stones, pavé, claws, channels, and rings
  • Parametric modeling with editable construction parameters
  • Windows and macOS support with broad export formats
  • More than 2,500 styles and 1,000 components
  • Real-time pricing, gemstone selection, and photorealistic rendering
  • Supports Stuller manufacturing orders and 3D-printing prototypes
Cons
  • Pricing requires contact with sales
  • Desktop access limits the software to supported computers
  • Organic and freeform modeling requires the optional 3Shaper module
  • No free plan is available
  • The paid plans are desktop-focused for Windows and macOS
  • Capabilities and feature counts vary by CounterSketch version
Our verdict

3Design CAD is desktop 3D computer-aided design software for jewelry professionals, including jewelers, goldsmiths, and designers. Its core workflow combines parametric modeling with construction tools tailored to rings, stones, pavé,…

Read the review →

CounterSketch is interactive 3D jewelry design software from Gemvision, a Stuller company. It is built for jewelers, retail store teams, and showrooms that want customers to participate in guided jewelry customization. Users can browse…

Read the review →
  1. 3Design CADJewelry Design Software 9.3Pricing on request
  2. CounterSketchJewelry Design Software 8.415-day trial

Strengths and trade-offs

  • 3Design CAD — where it wins

    • Jewelry-specific tools for stones, pavé, claws, channels, and rings
    • Parametric modeling with editable construction parameters
    • Windows and macOS support with broad export formats

    Where it doesn't

    • Pricing requires contact with sales
    • Desktop access limits the software to supported computers
    • Organic and freeform modeling requires the optional 3Shaper module

  • CounterSketch — where it wins

    • More than 2,500 styles and 1,000 components
    • Real-time pricing, gemstone selection, and photorealistic rendering
    • Supports Stuller manufacturing orders and 3D-printing prototypes

    Where it doesn't

    • No free plan is available
    • The paid plans are desktop-focused for Windows and macOS
    • Capabilities and feature counts vary by CounterSketch version

More comparisons

All jewelry design software comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update