National News
Lab-Grown Diamond Brand Jewelbox Raises $3.2M to Fuel Nationwide Expansion
Backed by V3 Ventures and others, Kolkata-based startup aims to grow retail presence, bolster brand visibility, and expand its team across India.
Kolkata-based lab-grown diamond jewellery brand Jewelbox has secured $3.2 million in pre-Series A funding, led by V3 Ventures, with participation from Atrium Angels, Dexter Ventures, Infinyte Club, Samarthya Capital, and existing investor JITO Incubation & Innovation Foundation (JIIF).
The company, co-founded in May 2022 by siblings Vidita Kochar Jain and Nipun Kochar, plans to use the fresh capital to scale operations, enhance brand visibility, and hire talent across core functions.
Currently operating eight stores across six Indian cities—Delhi, Gurgaon, Bengaluru, Chennai, Kolkata, and Guwahati—Jewelbox is eyeing rapid growth, with a goal to expand to 30 retail locations by the end of 2025.

“The competition in the lab-grown diamond space is heating up, but we welcome it,” said Jain. “Whether it’s legacy brands, established entrepreneurs, or startups entering the space—it validates the category.”
Jewelbox, which sells its jewellery both online and offline, closed FY25 with an annual revenue run rate (ARR) of ₹38 crore, more than doubling from ₹16 crore in the previous year. The brand had earlier raised ₹3.7 crore in seed funding from JIIF in March 2024.
The funding comes at a time when lab-grown diamonds are gaining traction as a more sustainable and affordable alternative to natural diamonds. The segment is seeing increasing investor interest and consumer adoption.
The broader category is also drawing new entrants. Last month, Priyanka Gill, co-founder of the Good Glamm Group, launched Coluxe, a new lab-grown diamond brand that has already secured early-stage funding. Meanwhile, Bengaluru-based jewellery brand Giva is reportedly in talks with Creaegis to raise $80–100 million, valuing the company between $470–500 million, following its entry into lab-grown diamonds.
On the regulatory front, Commerce and Industry Minister Piyush Goyal recently confirmed there are no plans for additional regulations, citing the industry’s healthy growth under a self-regulatory model.
Jewelbox and other emerging players—including Aukera, Giva, and Green Lab Diamonds—have also approached the Central Consumer Protection Authority (CCPA) to dispute the classification of lab-grown diamonds as “synthetic,” arguing that it misrepresents their nature by equating them with lookalike simulants like cubic zirconia.
Commenting on the investment, Arjun Vaidya, co-founder and managing partner at V3 Ventures, said: “Less than 6% of Indians own diamonds today. With rising aspirations and growing awareness, lab-grown diamonds can democratize luxury in India—and Jewelbox is well-positioned to lead that change.”

National News
Hari Krishna Group’s 12th Amrit Ganga Tirth Yatra Brings 1,380 Members Together in a Celebration of Faith, Gratitude and Togetherness
The yatra includes 344 Radha Krishna couples, 490 employees’ parents, 310 parents-in-law, 54 organising committee members, 63 invited guests, 150 artists, 77 kitchen staff and 96 support staff
For Hari Krishna Group, employees are never just employees; they are family. And when someone becomes part of the HK family, their parents become our parents too.
Living this belief for over a decade, Hari Krishna Group has commenced its 12th Amrit Ganga Tirth Yatra 2026, bringing together 1,380 members of the HK family on a spiritual journey to Haridwar and Rishikesh. More than an annual pilgrimage, the yatra is a heartfelt tribute to parents and elders whose love, sacrifices and blessings have shaped generations.
This year, the yatra includes 344 Radha Krishna couples, 490 employees’ parents, 310 parents-in-law, 54 organising committee members, 63 invited guests, 150 artists, 77 kitchen staff and 96 support staff, making it one of the most cherished traditions of the Hari Krishna Group. Every invitation reflects the organisation’s culture of treating employees and their families as one extended family.


Months of meticulous planning go into making this journey comfortable and memorable for every elder. From travel, accommodation and healthcare to meals, hospitality, sightseeing and daily assistance, every arrangement is thoughtfully planned so that participants can focus entirely on their spiritual experience with complete peace of mind.
The journey began with the traditional Vadil Vandana ceremony at the Group’s Surat and Mumbai offices, where elders were welcomed with shawls as a mark of honour. Employees also performed Pad Prakshalan, the sacred tradition of washing the feet of parents and elders, expressing gratitude for their lifelong sacrifices. Inspired by the timeless values of Shravan Kumar, employees accompany the senior members throughout the pilgrimage, ensuring they experience every moment with comfort, care and dignity.

Over the coming days, participants will take part in Rudra Abhishek, Ganga Snan, the divine Ganga Aarti at Har Ki Pauri, yoga and meditation sessions, spiritual discourses, cultural performances, recreational activities and tree plantation initiatives. The itinerary also includes visits to the sacred destinations of Rishikesh, Ram Jhula, Laxman Jhula, Janki Jhula, Mansa Devi and Chandi Devi, creating an enriching experience that beautifully blends spirituality, wellness and togetherness.
Speaking on the occasion, Savjibhai Dholakia, Visionary Founder and Chairman of Hari Krishna Exports, said:
“Every parent spends a lifetime creating a better future for their children. This yatra is our humble way of expressing gratitude to them. At Hari Krishna Group, we have always believed that our employees are family, and naturally their parents become our parents too. Their blessings are our greatest strength, and serving them is our greatest privilege. If we can bring smiles to their faces and create memories they cherish for a lifetime, we feel truly blessed.”
As the 12th Amrit Ganga Tirth Yatra begins, Hari Krishna Group continues to uphold a tradition where business and values walk hand in hand. More than a pilgrimage, the yatra is a living expression of gratitude, respect and togetherness, reminding every member of the HK family that while businesses may be built with vision, enduring legacies are built by honouring parents, preserving culture and staying rooted in family values.
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