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Where is the #labgrowndiamonds story in all this? At Lab Grown Diamonds Magazine, we analyzed the websites of top 10 Lab Grown #diamonds #jewelry sellers (On Google Search Results Page)... And here's what we found: 1. More or less, every brand seemed to be focused on the same superficial marketing aspects like: - Buyback - Exchange - Certified and - Customization 2. A few brands also spoke about how buying #labgrown can save the consumers about 90% over natural. 3. Largely, everyone focused on #jewellery around different price ranges as a category on the website. So, here are a few observations from our deep-dive of these 10 websites: 1. Where is the story? You go to any of the 10 websites, they all look sort of similar... Use a similar language... And focus on rational reasons for consumers to buy. No one is really focused on any story-telling. None of the brands were able to trigger any emotional response in me as a consumer making me want to buy the product or left me with a feeling of I want this product. So, if I had the need, and I was looking at saving money, I would go buy from any one of these brands. 2. A lot of brands who are great at telling stories have a character associated with the brand, either someone from the founding team or an ambassador that's the face of the brand for a long-run... Someone that becomes synonyms with the brand and takes the brands story-telling to the next level because people love him/her. But, none of the 10 websites on Google SERP had a distinct face associated with the brand to drive the brand narrative forward. 3. Going through the websites, it felt that as a consumer, I would just buy from one brand over the other just because I liked a product on one website over the other. There was nothing distinct that pulled us towards one over the other, again because there was no story being told by any brand when it comes to the products or the brands itself. These are just a few initial observations. We will be releasing a detailed report on the current state of Direct-to-Consumer LGD brands in India in the next few weeks after we do a deep-dive on the socials and other channels the brands use to reach out to their marketplace. For more updates about the state of Lab Grown Diamonds industry, follow Sandhya Valecha and Karan Dharamsi. If you love a brand that does great when it comes to telling stories in the LGD space, let us know in the comments below. #labgrowndiamonds #diamonds #diamond #jewellery #jewelry #labgrowndiamond #D2C #ecommerce

Pandora believes in the Lab Grown #Diamonds story. Do you? In May 2021, Pandora, made waves by announcing that it would stop using diamonds that are mined from the Earth. Instead, the company would only use diamonds made in a lab. This decision was driven by a belief that lab-grown diamonds are better for the environment and more in line with what people today care about. Now, three years later, Pandora’s CEO, Alexander Lacik, is even more confident in this choice. He predicts that #labgrowndiamonds will sell much more than natural diamonds within the next ten years. In a recent interview with Bloomberg TV, Lacik said, "Ten years from now, I believe the majority of diamonds sold will be lab-grown. We are witnessing a major change, thanks to new technology." We believe what Alexander said can be true sooner if ... Most players move the focus away from Gimmicky marketing like: - Buy back Guarantees - Cheaper Alternative to Natural - Vague usage of the term sustainable To Telling the stories. Tell the story of your products. Forget comparing to Natural. Talk about your Brand. Talk about why the consumers should care about your jewelry. About how will it make them feel. What's the story behind each product? These are things that matter when you are selling a product that no one needs but WANTS. It's an emotional buy. You can't go a long way if you just focus on rational reasons for consumers to purchase your product. We look forward to seeing the industry as a whole taking the story-telling game up multiple notches and reporting the success story of how Lab Grown Diamonds continue to sparkle. Follow Sandhya Valecha and Karan Dharamsi for more updates from the world of Lab Grown Diamonds. #Labgrowndiamonds #diamonds #Diamond #Labgrowndiamond #Jewellery #jewelry

Funds flowing in the #labgrowndiamonds retail space in India. Is it a sign of growing demand or FOMO for investors? So, here's the news: Lab-grown jewellery brand Aukera has raised Rs 26.7 crore (approximately $3.2 million) in its Series A round led by Fireside Ventures. While it's a good sign for the industry as a whole, especially when institutional investors believe in the category... We would still loop back to the same question that we asked yesterday: - Where do we see the LGD industry 10 years down the line? Who is setting the vision for the industry? Currently, there are a handful of jewelry brands in India with investor backing that are doing fine. But nothing disruptive. With this funding, Aukera joins the list. But currently, none of the LGD startups in India look disruptive. They don't look like they are focused on building the category or have an apparent long-term vision. Or maybe it's something we are not seeing. Like Zulu Ghevriya had pointed out in the 2nd Lab Grown Diamonds Magazine rountable that the bigger onus of building the category is on the GROWERS. They have deeper pockets. But seem to be lacking the long-term vision. With everyone working in their own silos, it's still unclear how the industry will come together to build the market in India which still largely piggybacks on lower than natural pricing, money-back, and safer for planet sales pitches. So, with this recent funding round... Are we just going to see another startup in India working in its silo? We really hope not. We hope Aukera does not just continue to grow as a brand, but plays a pivotal role in shaping the Lab Grown Diamonds market in India. Common guys, let's start talking about possibilities and unique designs - something that can only be done with LGDs. It's time to up the game. For more updates from the world of Lab Grown Diamonds, follow Sandhya Valecha and Karan Dharamsi. #labgrowndiamonds #labgrowndiamond #diamonds #diamond #jewellery #jewelry #funding #Startup

LGD industry should learn this from natural #diamonds industry. I love how the Natural #diamonds industry is taking proactive measures to regain the lost market to #labgrowndiamonds, especially in the Indian Marketplace. What am I referring to? Well, the recent meeting between members of De Beers and GJEPC. De Beers & GJEPC's Mumbai meet demonstrates that the natural industry is leaving no stone unturned & exploring all possible ways to spend massively on education, awareness, market expansion and more. We've seen so many amazing campaigns from players in the natural world to lure customers and build the case for natural as opposed to Lab Grown when it comes to the Indian market. Although, we've seen the rise of several new retail startups in the Indian marketplace, but let's be honest here: If you look at the overall consumer market - most consumers, at least the ones we've spoken to during our surveys still prefer Natural over Lab Grown. The use of celebs, in-movie promotions, well thought after marketing campaigns - The natural folks are at least 10 steps ahead. Who will take the lead when it comes to the LGD market? We've asked this question 100's of times in the last 18-odd months. In fact, we've asked this question to all our panelist: From our 1st LGD roundtable with Amish Shah, Anup Zaveri, Nirav Jogani & tom (thomas) chatham, to our 2nd LGD roundtable conference with Weizhang LIANG, Roger Kylberg, Utpal Mistry, and Zulu Ghevriya. While we've had several insightful discussions on who should take the lead and is it possible to build this category collectively with everyone pitching in... There's been hardly any movement or action around suggestions from the important voices in the industry. It would be interesting to see how long can the LGD industry ride the wave by just focusing on 'Lower Prices and Better for Planet' play without any long term vision or focus on an unified message to build the category on its own. For the unversed, here are the Key points from the meeting between DeBeers and GJEPC: Education and Awareness: Educating consumers and retailers about the unique value of natural diamonds. Retailer Support: Providing targeted support and resources for retailers, especially in smaller towns and cities. Market Expansion: Encouraging retailers to expand their offerings of natural diamonds If you have any thoughts, insights, or comments, please do share them in the below. To stay updated about the next LGD news & our future reports on the #labgrowndiamonds industry at large, follow Lab Grown Diamonds Magazine and Sandhya Valecha. Special thanks to Karan Dharamsi. #labgrowndiamonds #labgrowndiamond #diamonds #jewelry #diamond #jewellery

There's news doing rounds in the PR network that DRC has launched a “Scan Karega India” campaign to protect the natural #diamond consumers. While there's not a lot of info available, this press release grabbed our attention. To understand why, let's first read the CEO's message: “With the rise of lab-grown diamonds, distinguishing between natural and lab-grown diamonds has become increasingly challenging. This campaign seeks to highlight the critical role that advanced scanning technology for lab-grown diamond detection plays in ensuring diamond authenticity.” says Hardik Patel, CEO of DRC. Although from the looks of it, the campaign seems harmless. But do you sense a hidden, underlying demonization of #LabGrowndiamonds? There is a clear Subliminal Attempt Against Lab Grown Diamonds with the usage of words like 'PROTECT'. Of late, we are coming across so many of these covert and subliminal marketing campaigns against Lab Grown Diamonds. It's time the stakeholders in the LGD space collectively work towards educating the consumers in other markets apart from the US, especially India. What are your thoughts? Let's have another healthy discourse in the comments below. To stay updated about the next LGD news & our future reports on the #labgrowndiamonds industry at large and watch all the latest happenings in the world of #labgrowndiamonds, follow Lab Grown Diamonds Magazine and Sandhya Valecha. Special thanks to Karan Dharamsi. P.S. Image used for educational purposes only. Copyright rests with respective owners. #labgrowndiamonds #labgrowndiamond #diamonds #jewelry #diamond #jewellery

Now Lab Grown Diamonds Customers are asked to Sign a Letter! "Tim Bodis of Diamond Designs by Bodis in Rice Lake, WI, sells more than 90% natural diamonds. If customers opt for lab-grown, they are asked to sign a letter stating Diamond Designs will not take them back in trade, and the price may not hold over time."  - As reported in the August 2024 issue of the Instore magazine. In full disclosure, I buy natural diamonds and I buy lab grown diamonds. But when I read something like this, I just feel sorry for the consumers and for the state of the diamond industry - natural and lab grown both. It feels like the stakeholders in the industry are trying too hard to not only kill lab grown diamonds but to kill the entire industry, as a whole. Do you think these campaigns against lab grown diamonds are going way overboard now? Please share your thoughts. Let's have constructive and open discourse. To stay updated about the next LGD news & our future reports from the world of #labgrowndiamonds, follow Lab Grown Diamonds Magazine and Sandhya Valecha. Special thanks to Karan Dharamsi. P.S. Copyright rests with instoremag.com.  P.S. Image used for educational purposes only. Copyright rests with respective owners. #labgrowndiamonds #labgrowndiamond #diamonds #jewelry #diamond #jewellery

"Can the natural diamond market regain its sparkle?" - that's the title of a recently published FT article. Here are the excerpts: "In an effort to re-establish natural diamonds’ allure, De Beers is embarking on a marketing drive with jewellers such as Chow Tai Fook and Signet, which now put labels on lab-grown stones warning they will depreciate as soon as they leave the store. The industry leader also plans to sell $10,000 machines to retailers to put on shop floors to help consumers identify whether a stone was dug out of the ground or created in a factory." What are your thoughts? "Can the natural diamond market regain its sparkle?" To know more and to stay updated about the next LGD news & our future reports from the world of #labgrowndiamonds, follow Lab Grown Diamonds Magazine and Sandhya Valecha. Special thanks to Karan Dharamsi. P.S. Copyright rests with FT.com.   P.P.S. Image used for educational purposes only.

#Labgrowndiamond necklace of 74.65 Carats auctioned for US$122,000. Featuring 54 Lab grown diamonds, this ‘Dream’ necklace by Smiling Rocks was auctioned at The Ormeley Dinner 2024 in London. This LGD necklace has been in the news for more than a year now. Gigi Hadid wore it at the 2023 Met Gala. And recently, singer Camila Cabello wore this Lab Grown Diamond ‘Dream’ necklace at the Vanity Fair After Party 2024, following the Oscars awards ceremony. And now, this LGD necklace captivated the attention of many from the entertainment industry, music, fashion, politics, and the media at this London Charity auction organized in aid of Space for Giants and The Aspinall Foundation. To stay updated about Smiling Rocks' next news on LGDs & our future reports on the #labgrowndiamonds jewelry industry at large, follow Lab Grown Diamonds Magazine and Sandhya Valecha. Special thanks to Karan Dharamsi. P.S. Here's wishing Smiling Rocks' Co-founder and CEO, Zulu Ghevriya a fulfilling, blissful, Happy Birthday! P.P.S. Images used for educational purposes only. Copyright rests with respective owners. #labgrowndiamonds #labgrowndiamond #diamonds #jewelry #diamond #jewellery #smilingrocks

Here's wishing our editor-in-chief, Sandhya Valecha a belated Happy Birthday. Keep those podcasts and round-tables rolling along with the stories that matter in the #labgrowndiamonds world. Have a great rest of the year! - Team Lab Grown Diamonds Magazine #diamonds #diamond #labgrowndiamond #labgrowndiamonds #jewellery #jewelry #birthday

Introducing the MODI #LabGrownDiamond.   'Modi diamond' is garnering widespread attention. A Lab Grown Diamond featuring PM Modi's image was showcased at an exhibition organized by the Surat Diamond Association. Viral photos and videos of this 8-carat Lab Grown Diamond with the sketch of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is doing rounds on social media.  SK Diam, the grower of this LGD said that 20 craftsmen worked their magic to create PM Modi's image on a lab grown diamond, according to a PTI video. The SDA organized this exhibition from 12th July to 14th July. To stay updated about the latest LGD news & our future reports from the world of #labgrowndiamonds, follow Lab Grown Diamonds Magazine and Sandhya Valecha. Special thanks to Karan Dharamsi. P.S. Image used for educational purposes only. Copyright rests with respective owners including PTI. #labgrowndiamonds #labgrowndiamond #diamonds #jewelry #diamond #jewellery #narendramodi #modi #pmmodi