DiamondBuzz
Diamond industry operated amid uncertainty due to tariff negotiations between the U.S. and India
Diamond prices rose sharply at the beginning of April in response to announcements of new U.S. import tariffs, and then stabilized later in the month when the U.S. delayed the tariffs by 90 days.
The RapNet Diamond Index (RAPI™) for 1-carat goods edged up 0.7% during the month. The index for 0.30-carat diamonds continued to strengthen, rising 2.8% in April and 13.2% since the beginning of the year. The 0.50-carat RAPI increased 0.6%, while 3-carat stones saw a minor decline of 0.3%. VVS collection goods of 0.30 carats performed well due to increased Indian demand and a slight improvement in China.
The industry operated amid unprecedented uncertainty due to the continuing tariff negotiations between the U.S. and India, respectively the world’s largest diamond-consuming and -manufacturing countries. Trading slowed in centers outside the U.S. However, business within the U.S. was steady and prices rose, reflecting part of the expected tariff costs. The market is closely monitoring end-consumer reactions.
U.S. inventories are elevated, as American traders purchased goods before the tariffs’ anticipated start date, and global trading centers — especially Indian exporters — shipped popular goods to the U.S. Diamond imports to the U.S. are now experiencing a slowdown. Elongated fancy shapes saw strong demand in April, both internationally and in the U.S.
Diamond and jewelry retailers are finishing preparations for Mother’s Day on May 11, one of the key U.S. sales holidays. A survey by the National Retail Federation (NRF) projected that consumer spending on jewelry would be slightly lower than last year.
The rough market was quieter than in March, which was a particularly active period. Anglo American predicts that its customers will remain cautious about buying rough amid the ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty and the impact of U.S. tariffs. De Beers’ sales slid 44% year on year in the first quarter to $520 million as slow demand and a buildup of polished inventory led the midstream to restock more slowly.
DiamondBuzz
Dholakia Lab Grown Diamond Secures Over Rs 800 Crore Funding
Funding Earmarked For High-Impact Vertical Scaling and Infrastructural Fortification
Dholakia Lab Grown Diamond (DLGD) has successfully executed a definitive investment agreement, securing over Rs 800 crore in a premier growth-stage funding round. This transaction represents one of the most significant capital injections within India’s Lab-Grown Diamond (LGD) ecosystem. The consortium was led by Abakkus PE, with strategic participation from ICICI Ventures IAF5, Amal Parikh, and a syndicate of high-profile institutional investors.
The newly mobilized liquidity is earmarked for high-impact vertical scaling and infrastructural fortification, specifically:
- Production Augmentation: Substantial investment in high-throughput growing technology to meet burgeoning global demand.
- Liquidity Management: Strengthening the working capital framework to support expansive operational cycles.
- Retail Proliferation: Accelerating the strategic rollout of a comprehensive pan-India retail footprint to capture domestic market share.
In a pivot toward high-margin industrial applications, DLGD is leveraging its proprietary synthesis capabilities to produce high-precision single-crystal diamonds. This initiative positions the firm as a critical component supplier for cutting-edge sectors, including:
- Quantum Computing & Semiconductors: Utilizing diamond’s superior thermal conductivity and electronic properties.
- Defense & Optics: Engineering specialized materials for high-stress aerospace and optical environments.
- Thermal Management: Providing heat-dissipation solutions for next-generation hardware.
Leveraging the multi-decade heritage of the Hari Krishna Group, DLGD maintains a robust, fully integrated value chain. This end-to-end oversight—encompassing synthesis, precision polishing, jewelry artisanal manufacturing, and international distribution—solidifies its competitive advantage in the sustainable luxury corridor.
As a pioneer in the sector, DLGD’s early-mover advantage—evidenced by its successful penetration of the US retail market as early as 2018—provides a seasoned foundation for its current expansion. By bridging the gap between luxury aesthetics and deep-tech utility, DLGD is poised to redefine the economic landscape of synthetic carbon structures on a global scale.
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JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.