A former Fitbit executive is betting that the next big wearable might not be a smartwatch at all.
Stacy Salvi, who spent eight years at Fitbit before and after Google’s acquisition of the company, has launched The Gem. It is a smart necklace designed to help women track their UV exposure throughout the day.
Rather than counting steps or monitoring workouts, The Gem focuses on something many wearables overlook: how much sunlight your skin is actually getting. The pendant-style device continuously measures both UVA and UVB exposure and sends the data to a companion app. As a result, the app builds a personalised skin profile based on your habits and environment.
The idea is to provide more useful guidance than a simple weather forecast. Depending on your exposure levels, the app can recommend sunscreen reminders, highlight safer times to spend outdoors and help users understand their personal UV limits.
What’s interesting is the form factor. While UV-tracking gadgets aren’t entirely new, they’ve typically been standalone sensors or patches. The Gem packages the technology inside a piece of jewellery designed to be worn every day, making it feel more like an accessory than a traditional health tracker.
That approach could help it stand out in a wearable market increasingly dominated by smartwatches and fitness bands. By focusing on a specific problem and wrapping it in a design that’s less overtly tech-focused, The Gem appears to be targeting users who don’t necessarily want another screen on their wrist.
The launch also arrives as interest in preventative health tracking continues to grow. Wearables have already expanded beyond fitness into sleep, recovery and stress monitoring. UV exposure feels like a natural next step, particularly for people concerned about long-term skin health.
The Gem is available now directly from The90. It will eventually retail for $300, although early buyers can currently pick one up for $200 for a limited time.
Stephan is the sports journalist for the Maple Grove Report.
