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
Jewellery Manufacturers Seek Tax Relief As Rising Gold Prices Inflate Inventory Valuations
Higher Gold Prices Sustained Turnover Value, But Jewellery Volumes Declined As Consumers Adjusted To Costlier Purchases.
Jewellery manufacturers in Coimbatore have submitted a representation to the Government of India seeking a review of the existing methodology for valuation of gold inventory for income tax purposes, citing significant financial pressures arising from the sharp increase in gold prices.
According to industry representatives, the closing stock value of gold held by jewellery manufacturers and retailers is currently determined on the basis of the weighted average cost of inventory available at the end of the financial year. The sector has highlighted that gold prices witnessed an increase of approximately 65 per cent between March 2025 and March 2026, resulting in a substantial rise in the book value of inventory.
Industry stakeholders have stated that while the monetary value of sales turnover may have remained comparable to the previous year due to higher gold prices, the actual quantity of jewellery sold has declined as consumers adjust to elevated price levels. Consequently, manufacturers contend that the appreciation in inventory value is being reflected in taxable income despite the absence of corresponding realised sales and cash flows.
The industry has further represented that maintaining adequate gold inventory is essential for meeting consumer demand for a wide range of designs and product categories. As a result, manufacturers are unable to significantly reduce stock holdings without affecting business operations and market competitiveness.
Particular concern has been expressed by micro and small-scale jewellery manufacturers, who report increased working capital requirements and liquidity constraints arising from taxation linked to inventory appreciation. Industry associations have requested that the Government examine alternative valuation or taxation mechanisms that more accurately reflect realised business income and cash generation.
The representation seeks consideration of suitable policy measures to address the financial impact of inventory value appreciation on jewellery manufacturers while ensuring continued compliance with taxation requirements and supporting the sustainability of the sector. Hence, the government should take separate statement of the gold stock with the manufacturers every year. It should collect advance tax based on the sales.
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