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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.

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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

IFSCA Notifies India Good Delivery Gold Framework

GJEPC Seeks Swift Rollout and Global Recognition. The Framework Is Expected To Strengthen Responsible Sourcing, Build Confidence In Indian-Refined Gold and Create Opportunities For Bullion Exports.

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GJEPC has urged the Government to expedite international recognition and the implementation of the India Good Delivery Gold framework, following the notification of the International Financial Services Centres Authority (IFSCA) (Good Delivery) Guidelines, 2026. The framework is expected to strengthen responsible sourcing, build confidence in Indian-refined gold and create opportunities for bullion exports.

The guidelines establish a framework for quality assurance, responsible sourcing and traceability in gold refining. IFSCA, India’s unified regulator for financial products, services and institutions operating in International Financial Services Centres, will implement the framework through the Bullion Exchange in the IFSC. Gold from accredited refiners that meets the prescribed requirements can qualify for delivery on IFSC exchanges and for over-the-counter trading.

The framework extends beyond the purity and quality of gold bars to address their provenance. Refiners must trace raw gold to its source, assess supply-chain risks, verify suppliers and beneficial owners, and meet applicable responsible-sourcing requirements. Independent third-party audits will provide additional assurance.

The initiative follows the recommendations by NITI Aayog, a policy think tank, which had called for an India Good Delivery Standard and responsible-sourcing guidelines for refineries. The report highlighted the potential of domestic refining to retain more value within India, generate employment and support exports.

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