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
NPCI Defers Rollout Of UPI Merchant Discount Rate Until After Diwali
Given Typical Retail Margins Of 2%–6% On Bullion and Plain Gold Jewellery, Absorbing A 0.4% Fee—Or Up To ₹300 Per Large Transaction—Would Have Directly Eaten Into Festive Profitability. The Deferral Keeps Bottom Lines Protected Through Dhanteras and Diwali.
The National Payments Corporation of India’s (NPCI) UPI and Services Steering Committee has deferred the implementation of Merchant Discount Rates (MDR) on select person-to-merchant (P2M) UPI transactions until immediately after Diwali.
The move aims to protect consumer sentiment and keep operational costs steady for businesses during the peak festive shopping season. A specific implementation date will be announced separately.
Key Highlights
- Festive Relief for Retail: The deferment ensures merchants face no additional payment processing costs during peak festive demand, helping avoid disruptions to consumer spending.
- The Approved MDR Structure:
- Applies only to eligible P2M transactions above Rs 2,000 at a rate of 0.4%.
- Capped at Rs 300 for high-value transactions of Rs 75,000 and above.
- Everyday low-value payments and small merchants remain fully exempt, preserving zero-cost digital transactions for general consumers.
- Timeline Adjustment: Originally notified on September 15 for an October 15 rollout, the framework will now take effect post-Diwali, giving banks, payment aggregators, and merchants additional runway to align their systems and communicate terms clearly.
Jewellery purchase values routinely exceed the Rs 2,000 threshold and frequently touch or surpass the Rs 75,000 cap. Given typical retail margins of 2%–6% on bullion and plain gold jewellery, absorbing a 0.4% fee—or up to Rs 300 per large transaction—would have directly eaten into festive profitability. The deferral keeps bottom lines protected through Dhanteras and Diwali.
Introducing transaction fees just as footfall surges would have forced retailers to decide whether to absorb the cost or pass it on to buyers (via checkout surcharges or selective discounts). Avoiding this choice prevents awkward billing counter negotiations and cart abandonment during rush hours.
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