National News
GSI’s Colored Stone Professional (CSP) Programme Explores New Mine in Sri Lanka
Students visited the Rakwana Gem Deposit, observing mechanised mining, gravel sorting, and recovery of sapphires, chrysoberyl, spinel, and tourmaline
GSI’s Colored Stone Professional (CSP) Diploma programme, recognised for its innovative combination of theoretical knowledge and practical, real-world experiences, recently embarked on an educational mine visit to Sri Lanka’s renowned Rakwana Gem Deposit. As part of the recent CSP student cohort, the visit was organised to provide comprehensive and immersive exposure to the gemstone pipeline, encompassing mining, processing, and trading.

“Experiences such as these are essential for developing a well-rounded understanding of the gemstone industry,” says Ramit Kapur, MD, GSI India. Sri Lanka, with its rich heritage and world-renowned gemstones, provides the perfect backdrop for such learning. By engaging directly with the mining process and following the journey through cutting, processing, and trade, students not only bridge the gap between geological science and commerce but also gain a true appreciation of the value each gemstone carries through its transformation.
As part of the field visit, students explored the Rakwana Gem Deposit in Sri Lanka’s Ratnapura District, a globally recognised source of fine sapphires since 2017. They observed small-scale mechanised mining carried out on agricultural lands, yielding sapphires alongside chrysoberyl, spinel, and tourmaline. The visit also included demonstrations of manual gravel sorting, where skilled miners separate gem-bearing pebbles.
“Classroom learning provides the foundation, but witnessing the journey of gemstones at their source offers an unparalleled perspective,” says Meenu Vyas, Chief Global Gemologist & GSI Education Centre. “Through this visit, students gained first-hand insights into Sri Lanka’s pivotal role in the global gemstone economy and developed a stronger appreciation of the processes that shape a gemstone’s value—from extraction to trade.”

The visit extended to the Karawita Mining Area, where students observed both artisanal and mechanised mining, followed by demonstrations of traditional Geuda sapphire heat treatment in Ratnapura. They also explored the gem markets of Ratnapura and Beruwala, engaging with traders to understand market dynamics, negotiation practices, and global trade systems.
At the Beruwala Gem Cutting Workshop, students witnessed the precision of cutting and polishing sapphires, gaining insight into how cut, clarity, and colour determine value.
GSI’s CSP diploma programme in Jaipur, continues to emphasise the importance of combining theory with intensive practical sessions. Whether students are learning to identify over 1,000 varieties of gemstones, visiting gemstone cutting factories, or learning from industry leaders through guest lectures, the programme provides them with the kind of experience that cannot be learned from textbooks alone.
Through the CSP programme’s experiential approach, students gain a nuanced understanding of the entire gemological process, from mining and cutting to trading. This holistic education not only prepares students to become experts in the field but also shapes them into well-rounded professionals who can drive innovation and ethical practices in the gemstone industry.
National News
Bengaluru-based lab-grown diamond jewellery startup ONYA raises ₹5.5 crore in pre-seed funding led by Zeropearl VC
The brand scales to four profitable high-street stores in Bengaluru, touching ₹2 crore MRR in 11 months
ONYA, one of India’s fastest-growing offline-first, premium lab-grown diamond jewellery brands, has raised Rs.5.5 crore in a pre-seed round led by Zeropearl VC. The round also saw participation from prominent angel investors including MyGate founders Vijay Arishetty, Abhishek Kumar, Shreyans Daga, and Rohit Jindal; UrbanVault founder Amal Mishra; and Alkendra Pratap Singh, Managing Director of Crescendo Industries Pvt. Ltd. and Director of KE Engineers Pvt. Ltd., among others. The fresh capital will be used to accelerate ONYA’s offline retail expansion across major Indian cities.
ONYA, short for “On You,” was founded on a simple idea: to create art that looks good On You. The inspiration came from a deeply personal moment when two people ready to begin their life together realized that the ring they loved was beyond reach. That experience sparked a mission to make beautifully designed and meaningful diamond jewellery accessible to everyone. Today, ONYA stands for crafting soulful lab-grown diamond pieces that mark life’s most cherished celebrations in every Indian home.
Within 11 months, ONYA has expanded to four profitable high-street stores in Bengaluru, achieving a monthly revenue run rate of ₹2 crore. The company has also strengthened its leadership team with the appointment of Gaurav Choudhary, former Director of Products at xto10x, who joins as Co-founder.

Himani Yadav, Founder of ONYA, said, “ONYA didn’t begin as a business idea — it began with a personal moment. My engagement ring was a lab-grown diamond long before the category became mainstream, and that experience made me realize how many people felt priced out of meaningful jewellery. ONYA was created to change that by bringing emotion, accessibility, and intention back into fine jewellery.
Being backed by Zeropearl VC at this stage — and by someone like Bipin, who brings a decade of deep consumer-brand investing experience, including in jewellery — adds immense value and clarity to our journey. The fact that ONYA fits naturally into Zeropearl VC’s Indiluxe thesis reinforces that we’re building in the right direction. This partnership gives us the confidence to take thoughtfully designed lab-grown diamonds to more homes across India.”
Bipin Shah, Founder and Managing Partner, Zeropearl VC, said At Zeropearl VC, we back founders who deeply understand the problem they’re solving — and Himani’s clarity stood out from day one. The ONYA team is already showing early signs of cracking an offline & Design first approach in premium lab-grown diamond space which strongly aligns with our Indiluxe thesis. Young India’s shift in how they view jewellery is undeniable, and ONYA is building right at that inflection point.

Their design focus and customer obsession give us strong confidence — and we see this as a gateway to expanding into more premium, next-gen consumer categories over time.” ONYA’s jewellery features IGI-certified lab-grown diamonds set in BIS Hallmarked gold, blending scientific precision with elegant design. With this investment, ONYA plans to expand its product lines, open more customer-first experience stores, and deepen its connection with India’s growing base of conscious luxury
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