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

Fourth-generation jewelers Coleman and Mitchell Clark exemplify the best qualities of their predecessors: humility, modesty, and confidence.

The gem hunter, whose 70-year career was defined by adventure and exploration, is remembered for his steadfast faith and sense of wonder.

Tiffany & Co. continued its full-scale store renovation project while Bulgari’s high jewelry collection generated “record-breaking revenue.”

Experience gemstones with greater precision and comfort than ever before.

This year’s sessions feature leading voices from human rights, legal, and conservation organizations.


The high-end jewelry retailer was sold to private investment firm Middle West Partners and a group of longtime clients.

Dunn, this year’s Single-Store Independent inductee, is passionate about innovation and telling the story of natural diamonds.

Submit your pieces for a chance to win in this year's competition.

The 24-carat fancy intense pink diamond ring could fetch up to $18 million at the November sale.

The “Island Jewel” candle honors New York City and Puerto Rico and raises money for the island’s water relief efforts.
The partnership will give JA members access to preferred pricing, exclusive benefits, technology solutions, education, and resources.

Stores should expect to see the most customers on Nov. 27, and Christmas week is expected to be hectic too, as Dec. 25 falls on a Friday.

The charm, our Piece of the Week, features brown diamond frozen hot chocolate topped with white diamond whipped cream and a ruby straw.

The top lot of Elmwood’s recent fine jewelry sale in London was a 1.84-carat, D color Tiffany & Co. solitaire diamond ring.

The watch company agreed to sell a 95 percent interest to a group comprised of F.P. Journe, Chanel, and Swiss watch exec Pierre Jacques.

This round of tariff refunds is for importers that have sued over IEEPA tariffs in the Court of International Trade and won.

It revisits the brand’s most requested silhouettes, from "Pillow"-set necklaces and bracelets to "Signature"-set rings and earrings.

The trade-only event includes buying opportunities as well as educational sessions on artisanal mining, the new Paraíba source, and more.

Ara Chanakian, a jeweler at Pattons, took home top honors in every category at Jewelers of Louisiana’s annual jewelry design competition.

The live charity benefit sale in Nashville will also feature gowns, boots, and other memorabilia from the country music legend.

Sponsored by Overnight Mountings

The supplier organization recently joined JA and JVC to have more input on political issues affecting the jewelry industry.

Blue Nile, a Signet Jewelers-owned brand, is now Royal Asscher’s exclusive licensed retailer in North America.

“Royal Oak” pays homage to the brand’s most popular watch model using 18-karat gold as well as diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires.

As part of the transition, Joseph Nicosia has stepped into the role of COO.

Participants now have until Oct. 14 to complete their submissions.

The alleged thieves used crow bars and sledgehammers to smash into jewelry stores across the state.

























