DiamondBuzz
Wealthy Russians Surge in Investment-Grade Diamond Purchases Amid Market Uncertainty
Demand for polished diamonds up by 60% as individuals diversify portfolios with gemstones following VAT abolition and growing financial volatility.
Wealthy Russians are increasingly turning to investment-grade diamonds, with purchases of polished stones rising by 60% last year, according to VTB, the country’s second-largest bank. This surge in demand is attributed to the government’s decision to abolish VAT on diamond purchases, which has made gemstones a more attractive investment option.
Oksana Semenenko, vice president at VTB and head of its private banking division, explained that the rarity and uniqueness of diamonds make them especially appealing during times of rising financial market instability and tighter investment restrictions. Many affluent clients are now incorporating alternative investments, including diamonds, into their portfolios, typically allocating 5-10% of their assets to these tangible assets for diversification.
This shift comes amid increasing sanctions from the G7 and restrictions on Russian currency, which have impacted Russian diamond exports. In response, Alrosa, the state-run diamond mining giant, is turning to alternative markets to sell its goods. The company’s Diamond Exclusive program focuses on polishing its largest and highest-quality diamonds, particularly stones of 3 carats or more, to be sold directly to investors through partnerships with VTB and other financial institutions.
DiamondBuzz
Dholakia Lab Grown Diamond Secures Over Rs 800 Crore Funding
Funding Earmarked For High-Impact Vertical Scaling and Infrastructural Fortification
Dholakia Lab Grown Diamond (DLGD) has successfully executed a definitive investment agreement, securing over Rs 800 crore in a premier growth-stage funding round. This transaction represents one of the most significant capital injections within India’s Lab-Grown Diamond (LGD) ecosystem. The consortium was led by Abakkus PE, with strategic participation from ICICI Ventures IAF5, Amal Parikh, and a syndicate of high-profile institutional investors.
The newly mobilized liquidity is earmarked for high-impact vertical scaling and infrastructural fortification, specifically:
- Production Augmentation: Substantial investment in high-throughput growing technology to meet burgeoning global demand.
- Liquidity Management: Strengthening the working capital framework to support expansive operational cycles.
- Retail Proliferation: Accelerating the strategic rollout of a comprehensive pan-India retail footprint to capture domestic market share.
In a pivot toward high-margin industrial applications, DLGD is leveraging its proprietary synthesis capabilities to produce high-precision single-crystal diamonds. This initiative positions the firm as a critical component supplier for cutting-edge sectors, including:
- Quantum Computing & Semiconductors: Utilizing diamond’s superior thermal conductivity and electronic properties.
- Defense & Optics: Engineering specialized materials for high-stress aerospace and optical environments.
- Thermal Management: Providing heat-dissipation solutions for next-generation hardware.
Leveraging the multi-decade heritage of the Hari Krishna Group, DLGD maintains a robust, fully integrated value chain. This end-to-end oversight—encompassing synthesis, precision polishing, jewelry artisanal manufacturing, and international distribution—solidifies its competitive advantage in the sustainable luxury corridor.
As a pioneer in the sector, DLGD’s early-mover advantage—evidenced by its successful penetration of the US retail market as early as 2018—provides a seasoned foundation for its current expansion. By bridging the gap between luxury aesthetics and deep-tech utility, DLGD is poised to redefine the economic landscape of synthetic carbon structures on a global scale.
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New Premises21 hours agoVBJ Opens All-New Flagship Showroom At Anna Salai, Chennai
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International News2 hours agoChanel Elevates High Jewellery Timepieces with Playful Luxury at Watches and Wonders
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