In the heart of the glittering diamond industry, where tradition and luxury have reigned supreme for decades, a revolution is quietly unfolding. Sweety Vaghani, a visionary with an eye for innovation, has plunged on a journey that challenges the very foundations of diamond manufacturing. As the founder and Managing Director of Roomy’s by Diagliter, she is pioneering a new era of lab-grown diamonds, seamlessly blending sustainability, affordability, and unrivaled beauty. From the historic legacy of Roomy Exports to the modern marvels of lab-created gems, Vaghani’s tale is one of transformation, ethical commitment, and the relentless pursuit of excellence. In an exclusive interview with Raamesh Chandra, Editor of Indian Startup Times, we uncover the story behind this innovative brand and its impact on the future of jewellery.
R.Chandra: We’d like to start by knowing about you, your interaction, and how this company, Roomy’s, came about. What was your vision behind it?
Sweety Vaghani: I am Sweety Vaghani, the founder and MD of Roomy’s . Roomy’s is a new venture under the Roomy’s group of companies, known for manufacturing natural and lab-grown diamonds. We started Roomy’s to offer lab-grown diamond jewelry.
R.Chandra: How did the story of Roomy’s start?
Sweety Vaghani: The story started when I was getting married. We were only doing natural diamonds, but lab-grown diamonds were emerging. I chose lab-grown diamond jewellery for my wedding because it is budget-friendly and has the same properties as natural diamonds. This inspired us to start Roomy’s.
R.Chandra: What’s the difference between natural diamonds and lab-grown diamonds?
Sweety Vaghani: The main difference is their origin. Natural diamonds are mined from the earth, while lab-grown diamonds are created in a lab using the seed of a natural diamond. The chemical and physical properties are the same.
R.Chandra: How much time does it take to grow a diamond in the lab?
Sweety Vaghani: It takes approximately one month to grow a one-carat diamond.
R.Chandra: What kind of investment does it take to produce lab-grown diamonds?
Sweety Vaghani: It takes around 1 crore INR. This is mostly a one-time investment, and the results are indistinguishable from natural diamonds, even under a microscope.
R.Chandra: What makes Roomy’s unique in the luxury jewellery market?
Sweety Vaghani: Roomy’s focuses on the Indian market, offering specialized bridal and fusion designer jewellery. We provide customization options that are not commonly available, even creating intricate designs like a 3D bird in jewellery.
R.Chandra: How do you ensure sustainability and ethical practices in diamond jewellery production?
Sweety Vaghani: Lab-grown diamonds have a less environmental impact and use less labour compared to natural diamonds. Our company values include commitment, truthfulness, continuous learning and innovation, and maintaining an optimistic attitude, which guides our ethical practices.
R.Chandra: Can you elaborate on the environmental benefits of lab-grown diamonds compared to natural diamonds?
Sweety Vaghani: Lab-grown diamonds have a much smaller environmental footprint than natural diamonds, which require extensive mining. The lab-grown process is less harmful to both the environment and the labour involved.
R.Chandra: How do you see the market for lab-grown diamonds compared to natural diamonds?
Sweety Vaghani: The demand for lab-grown diamonds is increasing, and we expect it to grow significantly. The natural diamond market is seeing a slight decline in both demand and supply.
R.Chandra: Right now, is the supply enough to meet the demand?
Sweety Vaghani: Currently, the supply and demand are balanced. However, with growing demand, there will be a need for increased supply. We expect both demand and supply to rise in the future.
R.Chandra: Can you give us insight into the financial growth of Roomy’s Diagliter since its inception?
Sweety Vaghani: It’s been a year now, and we have seen 30% growth every quarter. We cater to both wholesale and retail markets.
R.Chandra: Which regions in India have shown the most demand for your lab-grown diamonds?
Sweety Vaghani: The most response is from the south of India, where people are accustomed to wearing good-quality diamonds. There is also significant demand in the north of India, especially for bigger sizes.
R.Chandra: Are you also into exports right now, or what are your plans for the near future?
Sweety Vaghani: Right now, our focus is on the Indian market, as we see huge potential here. We may consider exports in the future.
R.Chandra: How do you ensure the quality and authenticity of lab-grown diamonds?
Sweety Vaghani: Since we manufacture our own diamonds and jewellery, we ensure high quality throughout the entire process, from production to design and manufacturing.
R.Chandra: What innovations or new products can we expect from Roomy’s in the near future?
Sweety Vaghani: We are working on Polki section jewellery and planning to develop rose-cut diamond jewellery. We also plan to introduce fashion accessories like sunglasses, glasses, brooches and watches studded with lab-grown diamonds.
R.Chandra: How has the latest technology helped you in the lab-grown diamond industry?
Sweety Vaghani: The major challenges came from the market, where natural diamond manufacturers spread negative propaganda against lab-grown diamonds. We relied on studies from gemological institutes like GIA to educate our customers and vendors about the benefits and authenticity of lab-grown diamonds.
R.Chandra: What steps do you take to ensure a seamless and satisfying customer experience?
Sweety Vaghani: We focus on customer satisfaction by ensuring that our jewellery brings positive emotions and compliments to the wearer. A good experience comes from feeling good about the jewellery they wear.
R.Chandra: What is your future vision for Roomy’s by Diagliter? Where do you see the company in the next five years?
Sweety Vaghani: Our vision is to add sparkle to people’s lives, not just through our jewellery but also by creating a positive environment for our employees. We aim to expand throughout Pan-India in the next 5-10 years.
R.Chandra: What advice would you give to new entrepreneurs looking to start their journey in the jewellery industry?
Sweety Vaghani: The lab-grown diamond industry has huge potential and is the new era of the diamond industry. It is the biggest retail market in India, and I encourage everyone to explore opportunities in this field despite the competition.