National News
Candere Founder Rupesh Jain Launches Lab-Grown Diamond jewelry Brand Lucira; Taps into Booming Industry Potential
The company plans aggressive two-year roadmap for phased omnichannel expansion
Rupesh Jain, the digital jewelry pioneer who built Candere into one of India’s most successful online fine jewelry platforms before its acquisition by Kalyan Jewellers, is returning to the spotlight with a bold new venture, Lucira. A modern lab-grown diamond jewelry brand, Lucira is built for today’s conscious, design-forward consumer and aims to transform the way people engage with fine jewelry.
Positioning itself as the unrivalled “Rings King,” Lucira focuses exclusively on celebrating proposals, weddings, anniversaries, and personal achievements with intentional design and ethical brilliance. Lucira is born out of a simple but powerful idea: that luxury can be meaningful, personal, and responsible. Inspired by the Latin word Lucent, meaning “to shine,” the brand represents purity, brilliance, and a commitment to illuminating life’s most cherished moments with jewelry that reflects values as much as beauty. Merging heritage craftsmanship with cutting-edge innovation, Lucira combines AI-led personalization, certified lab-grown diamonds, and a seamless digital-first experience to build trust and intimacy in an industry that has traditionally relied on opaqueness and excess.
The launch of Lucira comes at a time when lab-grown diamonds are reshaping the fine jewelry landscape, both in India and globally. These diamonds are physically, visually, and chemically identical to mined diamonds, offering the same brilliance and longevity—but at a significantly lower financial cost. Certified by IGI, GIA, SGL, and Hallmark, Lucira diamonds offer complete transparency and assurance of quality. Each piece is handcrafted by artisans who blend traditional techniques with contemporary elegance, creating jewelry that celebrates individuality and connection.
Currently available online with nationwide delivery, Lucira will soon debut its flagship experience stores in key metros, followed by an ambitious retail expansion across India and global markets. With a phased omnichannel growth strategy, the brand is poised to become India’s first global lab-grown diamond luxury house.

Rupesh Jain, Founder of Lucira said, “Our vision is to create a premium, design-led fine jewelry destination that begins online and extends into beautifully curated physical spaces. With AI-powered customization, virtual try-ons, and seamless e-commerce, we’re meeting customers where they are digitally native, value-conscious, and experience-driven. Our upcoming flagship stores will bring this vision to life, blending the ease of technology with the emotion of touch. As we expand across India and into global markets, our goal is simple: to make Lucira synonymous with modern luxury that’s personal, purposeful, and proudly Indian.”
Lucira is carving a niche in the fast-evolving bridal jewelry space, with a sharp focus on solitaires, bespoke engagement rings, eternity bands, and convertible pieces for everyday wear. The brand has introduced five exclusive signature cuts, each designed to maximize light, emotion, and brilliance. These aren’t just rings, they’re declarations of love, symbols of milestones, and heirlooms reimagined for a new generation.
Jain added, “Lucira is about elevating meaningful moments with timeless design and ethical brilliance. We’re not just shaping rings, we’re shaping what they represent in today’s world.
For Rupesh Jain, Lucira is more than a comeback, it’s a vision for the future of fine jewelry. One where innovation, ethics, and emotional resonance converge. India’s robust diamond manufacturing ecosystem and supportive government policies provide an ideal backdrop for Lucira’s ambitions. Jain believes India is uniquely positioned to become a major supplier and brand builder in the global LGD market, which has already seen strong demand in international markets as well.
National News
WGC Gold Demand Trends Q2 2026: Gold Demand In Q2 Remained Unchanged Year-On-Year
Investment Is Expected To Be The Principal Driver Of Gold Demand Growth Through The Remainder Of 2026, Supported By Increasing Buying Activity In Asia and Broader Over-The-Counter (OTC) Investment.
Total gold demand, including OTC investment and stock changes, remained steady at 1,269 tonnes during the second quarter. This brought total demand for the first half of 2026 to 2,522 tonnes, representing a 2% year-on-year increase. Gold-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) experienced selling pressure in Q2, recording net outflows of 45 tonnes. These moderate outflows were driven by weaker gold prices and, particularly in North America, higher inflation and interest rate expectations alongside a stronger US dollar.
Key Highlights
Bar and coin investment remained stable year-on-year at 307 tonnes in the second quarter. This reflected a return to more normal demand levels following two exceptionally strong quarters.
Gold-backed ETFs came under selling pressure during Q2, with global holdings declining by 45 tonnes. The decrease resulted from combined outflows from both North American and Asian-listed funds.
Central banks significantly increased their gold purchases during the quarter. Following a noticeable slowdown in the first quarter, buying activity recovered sharply and returned to levels typically seen over the past four years.
Gold jewellery demand fell to 278 tonnes in Q2, marking the lowest quarterly level since the pandemic. Despite the decline in volumes, consumer spending on gold jewellery increased by 14% year-on-year to US$40 billion, as higher gold prices led consumers to allocate a larger share of spending toward gold jewellery.
Total gold supply remained broadly unchanged compared to the same period last year. A 2% increase in mine production offset a 6% decline in gold recycling, as lower quarter-on-quarter gold prices discouraged consumers from selling old gold jewellery.
Outlook
Investment is expected to remain the primary source of gold demand growth for the rest of 2026, with increasing support from Asian investors and broader OTC activity. Central banks are also expected to continue making significant gold purchases. Elevated gold prices are likely to keep jewellery demand volumes under pressure while prompting only a limited increase in mine production and recycled gold supply.
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