3Design CAD vs MatrixGold

3Design CAD9.3Visit MatrixGold9.1Visit

Higher score 3Design CAD #1 in Jewelry Design Software 9.3/10 Pricing on request ✓ 1 of 5 features Visit 3Design CAD

vs

MatrixGold #2 in Jewelry Design Software 9.1/10 Paid ✓ 5 of 5 features Visit MatrixGold

• 3Design CAD fits best

  Professional jewelry CAD teams

• MatrixGold fits best

  Established professional jewelry studios

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Side by side

Feature	3Design CAD 9.3/10 Visit ↗	MatrixGold 9.1/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score	9.3	9.1
Ranking	#1 in Jewelry Design Software	#2 in Jewelry Design Software
Best for	Professional jewelry CAD teams	Established professional jewelry studios
Pricing model	Paid	Paid
Starting price	Pricing on request	Not checked yet
Free plan	Not checked yet	—
Free trial	—	—
Deployment	Desktop	Desktop
Platforms	Windows, macOS	Windows
Support	Email, Phone	Community, Docs
Built for	Small business, Mid-market	Solo, Small business, Mid-market, Enterprise
Features 3Design CAD 1/5 · MatrixGold 5/5
Parametric modeling	✓	✓
Ring sizing tools	Not checked yet	✓ (best)
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	History-based modeling supports controlled design revisions. Combines stone setting, resizing, organic modeling, and rendering. Includes manufacturing preparation for printing and casting.
Cons	Pricing requires contact with sales Desktop access limits the software to supported computers Organic and freeform modeling requires the optional 3Shaper module	Runs only on Windows. Requires Rhino 8 for its workflow. Built for professional studios rather than simple design needs.
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 →	MatrixGold is desktop 3D CAD software from Gemvision, a Stuller company, for professional jewelry designers, manufacturers, and jewelers. It supports custom jewelry work from an initial concept through production preparation, combining… Read the review →

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

• MatrixGold — where it wins

  • History-based modeling supports controlled design revisions.
  • Combines stone setting, resizing, organic modeling, and rendering.
  • Includes manufacturing preparation for printing and casting.

  Where it doesn't

  • Runs only on Windows.
  • Requires Rhino 8 for its workflow.
  • Built for professional studios rather than simple design needs.

• 3Design CAD9.3/10 · Pricing on request

  A jewelry-focused desktop CAD suite for professional modeling, rendering, and export.

  Visit 3Design CADFull verdict →
• MatrixGold9.1/10 · Paid

  A full-featured jewelry CAD system for established studios and production workflows.

  Visit MatrixGoldFull verdict →