Celeb Favorite Kimai Scores $1.2 Million in Funding

(IDEX Online) - A direct-to-consumer fine jewelry brand that uses lab-grown diamonds and recycled gold has received $1.2 million in seed funding. Kimaï, which has been worn by the Duchess of Sussex Meghan Markle, Emma Watson and Jessica Alba, aims to bring "transparency, innovation and inclusivity to a consciously minded generation of consumers." 

Kimaï handmakes it pieces in Antwerp, using lab-grown diamonds and recycled 18-karat gold.

The company's 26-year-old founders, childhood friends Jessica Warch and Sidney Neuhaus, said that having grown up in diamond-trading families they questioned how they might change the traditional industry. 

"Our generation represents more than 45 percent of the global luxury goods market, but the industry is still stuck in their old ways," says Neuhus. 

Part of that change is leveraging a drop model to introduce new pieces each month and to focus on a curated selection of unique designs. 

"Our pieces are made to order, which enables us to respond quickly to our customers' evolving demands and wants," says Warch. 

The current round of funding was led by Talis Capital. Matus Maar, co-founder and managing partner at the London-based VC firm said, "[Warch and Neuhaus] know how to use technology to better engage with their customers and create ethical but also beautiful designs straight to your door. We look forward to helping them shake up the $87 billion traditional diamond industry." 

With the funding, the brand intends to expand its current product offering and build out a team based between New York and Antwerp.