Brands
Solitario Lab-Grown Diamonds secures $3.6 million pre-IPO funding
MUMBAI: The future of diamonds is brighter, and it’s not coming from the mines. Solitario Lab-Grown Diamonds, co-founded by jewellery industry veteran Ricky Vasandani and Indian cinema actor Vivek Oberoi, has successfully raised $3.6 million in a pre-IPO funding round, valuing the company at $18.3 million (Rs. 150 crore).
The funding attracted marquee investors, including Neeraj Gupta (Meru Cabs founder), Mauritius-based FPI Investi Global, Vicco Group, and Seema Manish Nuwal (Solar Industries promoter). A roster of ultra-high-net-worth individuals, including Amit Agarwal, Rajesh Singla, Garima Theti, and Sandeep Singh, also participated in the round. Socradamus Capital Private Ltd acted as the book running lead manager for the transaction.
Solitario is rewriting the jewellery rulebook, proving that lab-grown diamonds are not just sustainable but also luxurious and desirable. The company offers an exquisite range of diamond jewellery, including necklaces, rings, earrings, bracelets, and pendants.
Their financial growth is as dazzling as their diamonds—revenues soared from Rs 24.3 crore in FY 2023 to Rs 52 crore in FY 2024. And they are just getting started.
Vasandani shared his excitement, stating, “This investment validates our vision of creating beautiful, sustainable jewellery that doesn’t compromise our planet’s future. The funds will accelerate our expansion plans and strengthen our position in the growing lab-grown diamond market. Solitario is not only creating jewellery but also crafting a legacy of environmental responsibility and exceptional craftsmanship.”
Solitario already shines across 18 stores in 10 major Indian cities and an international presence in Dubai, Malaysia, and Spain with 38 outlets. The brand has also forged an exclusive partnership with PNG to launch stores in seven more cities.
The company operates a state-of-the-art 30,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Surat, employing over 300 people. With these robust foundations, Solitario is set to expand its retail network domestically and internationally, enhance branding and marketing, develop a broader product portfolio, and boost manufacturing capabilities.
In a milestone moment, Solitario recently became the first lab-grown diamond brand to be showcased on the Burj Khalifa, reinforcing its global appeal.
The Indian gem and jewellery market is expected to grow from $43 billion in 2021 to $91 billion by 2025. Meanwhile, the lab-grown diamond market, currently valued at $250 million in 2023, is projected to hit $1.2 billion by 2033. Solitario aims to capture a significant share of this booming market, targeting Rs. 500 crore in revenue by 2028.
Solitario’s collection features over 500 unique designs, ranging from everyday elegance to high-end luxury. Their diamonds boast the same physical, chemical, and optical properties as mined diamonds, but with a 40-50 per cent lower price tag and a guilt-free, sustainable footprint.
As consumers increasingly seek eco-conscious luxury, Solitario is positioned as the go-to brand for those who want the sparkle without the environmental strain.
Brands
Mother Dairy unveils 30 plus products for summer portfolio push
Ice creams, regional dairy and high-protein range drive 30 per cent growth plans
MUMBAI: If summer had a flavour, Mother Dairy is making sure it comes in at least 30. As temperatures climb, Mother Dairy is turning up the chill with an expansive product blitz, announcing a pipeline of over 30 new offerings across its value-added dairy portfolio. Rolled out in phases through the season, the line-up spans indulgence, health, convenience and regional tastes, an attempt to meet India’s increasingly diverse consumption patterns head-on.
Ice creams take centre stage, accounting for around 20 of the new launches. The brand is introducing formats such as a Two-in-One Matka and Tub, alongside a premium ‘Crafted’ range and flavours like Cream Cheese Pistachio Cone and Kulfi Cassata. There is also a clear nod to calorie-conscious consumers, with the debut of a ‘Go-Low’ range featuring variants such as Choco Almond, Shahi Mewa and Kesar Pista Tilla Kulfi.
Beyond indulgence, the company is sharpening its regional play. Products like Jamun Yoghurt and Bhuna Jeera Raita aim to tap into local flavour preferences, while Shrikhand offered in three variants targets western markets. For northern consumers, Meethi Dahi joins the mix, reinforcing a localisation strategy that goes beyond one-size-fits-all offerings.
Convenience is another key lever. Mother Dairy is expanding its UHT milk portfolio with Cow Milk and Standardised Milk in markets such as Jammu and Kashmir, catering to demand for longer shelf-life products without compromising accessibility.
On the nutrition front, the brand is doubling down on protein. Its ‘Pro’ range is being strengthened with Procurd and Propaneer high-protein curd and paneer variants positioning itself within the growing health-conscious segment while retaining its core taste proposition.
The scale of the rollout signals more than just seasonal experimentation. With expectations of over 30 per cent growth across key categories, the company is betting on innovation as a primary growth engine, supported by a mix of traditional and new-age distribution channels.
Marketing, too, is set to match the ambition. High-impact campaigns across ice creams and flavoured milk are in the pipeline, aimed particularly at younger consumers and designed to amplify summer consumption moments.
In a market where heat often dictates demand, Mother Dairy is not just responding to the season, it is trying to own it, one scoop, sip and spoonful at a time.
