DiamondBuzz
Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds Reports Surge In First Time Buyers, Signaling New Akshaya Tritiya Trend!
Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds, India’s pioneering brand in the lab-grown diamond jewellery segment, reported a strong Akshaya Tritiya performance this year, delivering 3X year-on-year growth, alongside a 200% surge in first-time buyers.
The development underscores a clear shift in consumer behaviour, with lab-grown diamonds increasingly gaining preference over traditional gold purchases during one of India’s most significant jewellery-buying occasions.
Traditionally considered an auspicious occasion for gold purchases, Akshaya Tritiya is now witnessing evolving consumer preferences, with buyers increasingly opting for design-led, value-driven lab-grown diamond jewellery. This year, a significant share of its festive demand came from new customers entering the category, reflecting growing awareness and acceptance.
Pooja Madhavan, Founder & MD, Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds, said:

“We are witnessing a defining shift in consumer behaviour. Akshaya Tritiya has traditionally been synonymous with gold, but today, a new generation of buyers is actively choosing lab-grown diamonds. The surge in first-time buyers this year is a strong indicator that the category is moving firmly into the mainstream.”
With increasing adoption among first-time buyers and new-age consumers, Limelight continues to strengthen its position in India’s fast-growing lab-grown diamond jewellery segment while accelerating its expansion across key markets.
DiamondBuzz
Lesotho’s Kao Diamond Mine To Halt Operations Amid Industry Slump
The Mine’s Operator, Storm Mountain, Cited A Severe Financial Crisis Driven By A Prolonged Drop In Global Rough-diamond Prices, Rising Middle East Conflict
Lesotho’s largest diamond mine, Kao, will cease operations on June 30 and transition to care and maintenance. The mine’s operator, Storm Mountain, cited a severe financial crisis driven by a prolonged drop in global rough-diamond prices, rising Middle East conflict-related fuel costs, and stiff competition from lab-grown diamonds.
Despite a warning last October that the mine required $13 million in fresh capital to survive, the necessary investment did not materialise. According to CEO Neo Hoala, the steep market decline made continued operations unsustainable. The shutdown will impact roughly 750 workers.
The mine’s financial downturn is stark: in 2024, Storm Mountain sold 250,000 carats for $50 million—a massive drop from its $105 million revenue in 2022. Kao’s suspension reflects a broader crisis in the diamond sector, following recent insolvencies and closures at Canada’s Ekati mine and South Africa’s Ekapa and Finsch mines.
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