LVMH Luxury Ventures Sinks Money Into Lab-Grown Diamond Start-Up
LVMH’s investment arm has taken a stake in Lusix, a lab-grown diamond company based in Israel.

During the JCK Las Vegas show, Israeli company Lusix announced completion of a $90 million round of funding, with LVMH Luxury Ventures, LVMH’s private equity arm, as the most prominent investor.
Lusix’s diamonds are grown using the chemical-vapor deposition (CVD) process in factory located outside Tel Aviv that runs on solar power exclusively.
During a press conference held at the company’s booth at JCK Las Vegas, inventor and Lusix founder Benny Landa said the diamonds are the highest quality lab-grown diamonds in the industry.
He said Lusix is able control the shape of the diamond during the growing process—creating stones such as the company’s trademarked Pyramid Diamonds—and to grow them in different colors. (Lab-grown diamonds normally are treated after growth to give them their color.)
They also are “carbon negative”—Lusix’s solar farm produces more power than the factory consumes, Landa said—and are certified as “sustainable” by SCS Global Services, traits that appeal to today’s consumers, many of whom are concerned about climate change.
“They (consumers) won’t buy products that aren’t consistent with their values,” he said.
At its booth at JCK Las Vegas and on its website, Lusix uses the tagline “Sun Grown Diamonds,” a phrase it has trademarked, though its future viability in the U.S. market remains unclear.
Under the Federal Trade Commission’s Jewelry Guides, which were updated in 2018, sellers of lab-grown diamonds must make it clear that their product is man-made.
It recommends using one of three terms to do so: laboratory-grown, laboratory-created or [manufacturer name]-created. The word “cultured” can be used too, but must be “immediately accompanied, with equal conspicuousness” by one of these three terms, according to the FTC.
“Sun Grown Diamonds,” with no mention of Lusix or the word laboratory, does not appear to fit within the FTC’s guidelines, though a Lusix spokesperson told National Jeweler on Tuesday that the company has asked the FTC to review its new tagline, which Lusix believes will stand.
If not, Lusix will modify as the FTC recommends, she added.

In addition to LVMH, the $90 million in funding included investment from Israel-based companies Ragnar Crossover Fund and More Investments.
Lusix said it will use the money to expand its production capacity, most notably with the opening of a second solar-powered facility slated to start production this summer. The new factory will “enable Lusix to better serve the increasing demand for lab-grown diamonds.”
The company does not share production figures, though the spokesperson said the new facility will increase the company’s output five-fold.
LVMH did not respond to request for comment on its investment in Lusix, including an inquiry about the future use of lab-grown diamonds by its watch and jewelry brands, though at least one of its brands already has begun experimenting.
At Watches & Wonders Geneva this past spring, TAG Heuer unveiled the $375,000 “Carrera Plasma,” an automatic chronograph set with 11.7 carats of lab-grown diamonds supplied by Lusix as well as two other growers.
The Latest

A trade deal with Switzerland seems probable, but reaching an agreement with India remains a challenge, David Bonaparte said.

Botswana’s president said his country wants a controlling share, while Angola envisions multiple countries holding minority stakes.

The jeweler to the stars has worked with Drake, A$AP Rocky, Tyler the Creator, and other celebrities.

With their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.

The Scarsdale, New York-based jeweler donated a professional-grade watch cleaning machine.


The 50 percent tariffs on diamonds shipped from India to the U.S. have pushed midstream manufacturers to the edge.

De Beers’ refreshed, multipronged approach, which includes generic promotions and retail partnerships, is delivering positive dividends.

Jewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
They are trying to balance the need to sustain well-established relationships with the pressure higher tariffs have put on margins.

Jewelry manufacturer Jewelex has partnered with JOSH, an industry training center, on a program for people with disabilities.

The collection includes pieces dating back to the Victorian and Art Deco periods as well as mid-century and late 20th-century designs.

He previously served as co-chair of the nonprofit’s beneficiary committee.

Its second collaboration with the conservationist features jewelry with dove and olive branch motifs.

The diamond manufacturer’s new company will provide accessible and affordable high-quality medicines across India.

Emmanuel Raheb shares tips on how a jeweler’s showcases, marketing, and social media presence can whisper, instead of shout.

The private equity firm has a plan to revive the mall staple.

The “Super Book of Gems” dives into the Mohs Hardness Scale, the Four C’s, and designs from jewelers like Cartier and Bulgari.

Claudio Pasta will take the lead at the Italian fine jewelry brand, succeeding company founder Licia Mattioli.

The new lab-grown diamond jewelry offering is the latest expansion of the designer’s “Bliss” collection.

The miner is honoring the end of an era with an offering of 52 lots from the now-closed Argyle and the soon-to-close Diavik mines.

The California-based fine jewelry brand will retain its identity post-acquisition, with new collections launching next year.

The “Untamed” collection centers on carved gemstone jewelry depicting a range of animals embodying one of the four elemental forces.

Founded in 2004, the organization is now called the Community for Ethical Jewelry.

From Coco Gauff’s hoops to Madison Keys’ diamond medallion, these are Senior Editor Lenore Fedow’s standout jewelry looks of the season.

The trendy earrings feature asymmetrical drops, one with a grossular garnet and the other with a diamond.

Four social media marketing experts discuss their go-to methods and favorite tools for making high-quality short-form video content.

Sponsored by American Gem Trade Association