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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.”

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National News

Mahesh Notandass and Vandals Partner with Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna for Noir Botanica

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Mahesh Notandass and Vandals served as the official jewellery partners for designer duo Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna’s Noir Botanica presentation, held at Galeries Lafayette Mumbai on August 20.

Jewellery from both houses was worn by Rohit Gandhi and Rahul Khanna, as well as models walking the presentation, complementing the collection’s sculptural silhouettes, metallic surfaces and architectural detailing.

Rather than a conventional runway, the evening was conceived as an immersive fashion experience. Galeries Lafayette Mumbai was transformed into an intimate setting inspired by jazz and the glamour of 1930s evening culture, allowing guests to experience the craftsmanship, textures and construction of the garments up close. Actor Vijay Varma closed the presentation, adding a striking finale to the evening.

The event drew a notable gathering of celebrities and fashion personalities, including Kajol, Babil Khan, Mahima Makwana, Pragya Jaiswal, Gurfateh Pirzada, Sophie Choudhry, Sarah-Jane Dias, Shalini Passi, Zayed Khan and Ruhee Dosani, among others.

Vandana M. Jagwani, Creative Director at Mahesh Notandass and Founder of Vandals, graced the occasion, marking the coming together of the two jewellery houses with Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna for the Noir Botanica presentation.

The collaboration highlights the growing intersection of fine jewellery and contemporary fashion, with Mahesh Notandass and Vandals bringing their distinct jewellery aesthetics to a collection centred on strong silhouettes, craftsmanship, texture and modern evening dressing.

The Noir Botanica capsule will be available following the presentation at Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna stores and Galeries Lafayette Mumbai.

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