National News
VAIRAM 2026 Opens at IIT Madras with Focus on India’s LGD Growth
The Vajra Industry Research & Academic Meet (VAIRAM) Workshop 2026, co-organised by GJEPC and InCent LGD IIT Madras, is taking place on 20 February 2026 at IIT-Madras, Chennai, with stakeholders from academia and industry discussing the next phase of India’s laboratory-grown diamond (LGD) growth.
The dignitaries present at the opening ceremony were Prof. Manu Santhanam, Dean (IC&SR), IIT Madras; Sanket Patel, Convener – LGD Committee, GJEPC; M.S. Ramachandra Rao, Head of the India Centre for Lab Grown Diamond (InCent-LGD) at IIT Madras; Jayanti Savaliya – Gujarat Region Chairperson, GJEPC; Ashish Borda, Convener – PMBD, GJEPC; Mital Doshi, Convener, BITC, GJEPC; and Sabyasachi Ray, Executive Director, GJEPC. Also present on the occasion were Manish Jiwani, Co-Convener, LGD Panel, GJEPC and Bharat Ghori, Member, Diamond Panel, GJEPC.
The day’s sessions will focus on Research to Commercialisation, HPHT Technology Scale-Up, Advanced Applications Beyond Gems, and Quality & Characterisation Standards, alongside presentations by IIT Madras and industry experts.
During the event, the GJEPC-run Indian Institute of Gems & Jewellery (IIGJ) and IIT Madras will also be signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to collaborate on diploma courses, aimed at strengthening education and skill development in emerging diamond technologies.
A book titled Laboratory Grown Diamond – Production Technologies and its Applications, authored by N. Arunachalam, S. Krishnakanth and T. Mukhilan, was also launched on the occasion.
sorce:GJEPC
National News
Palmonas Raises $40 Million in Series B, Accelerates Omni-Channel Expansion
Shraddha Kapoor-Backed Demi-Fine Jewellery Brand to Scale Offline Retail and Strengthen Market Presence
Palmonas, the Shraddha Kapoor-backed demi-fine jewellery startup, has raised $40 million (approx. Rs. 373 crore) in a Series B funding round, led by Xponentia Capital and Vertex Growth Fund, with participation from existing investor Vertex Venture
The fresh capital will be utilised to expand its offline retail footprint, building on its growing omnichannel presence across online platforms and physical stores.
Founded in 2022 by Pallavi Mohadikar and Amol Patwari, with Shraddha Kapoor joining as co-founder, Palmonas operates in the demi-fine jewellery segment, offering affordable yet premium designs crafted from sterling silver and stainless steel with gold plating. The brand targets the space between fashion and fine jewellery, catering to a young, aspirational audience.
The company has seen rapid growth, with its operating revenue surging over 40X to Rs. 39 crore in FY25, up from Rs. 97 lakh in FY24. Notably, Palmonas also turned profitable, reporting a profit of Rs. 4.3 crore during the same period.
The brand had earlier raised Rs. 55 crore from Vertex Ventures and gained visibility through Shark Tank India Season 4, securing Rs. 1.26 crore funding from Namita Thapar and Ritesh Agarwal, at a Rs. 126 crore valuation.
Operating in a competitive space, Palmonas goes head-to-head with players such as GIVA, BlueStone, and Limelight Lab Grown Diamonds, as it continues to strengthen its position in India’s fast-growing demi-fine jewellery market.
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Palmonas Raises $40 Million in Series B, Accelerates Omni-Channel Expansion
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New Premises8 hours agoP. N. Gadgil & Sons Expands in Pune with New Store at Tribeca Highstreet; Launches 9KT Collection
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National News10 hours agoPalmonas Raises $40 Million in Series B, Accelerates Omni-Channel Expansion
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DiamondBuzz8 hours agoBotswana Stepping Up Diplomatic Efforts To Complete The Removal Of US Tariffs
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