TrendsJul 31, 2026
These Pieces of the Week Are Sweet Edina Kiss’ “Popsicle” pendant and Karina Choudhrie’s “Ice Cream” charm satisfy that summer craving for a sweet piece of jewelry.
IndependentsAug 15, 2017
Diamond Foundry-Owned Brand to Open First Retail Location
The man-made diamond startup purchased Vrai & Oro last year and now will open a store in L.A.
Since its purchase by man-made diamond company Diamond Foundry, Vrai & Oro has ventured into larger diamond pieces, like these 2-carat total weight emerald-cut lab-grown diamond stud earrings from the Black collection, which retail for $8,210.
Los Angeles--Diamond Foundry, the San Francisco-based man-made diamond company backed by various Silicon Valley and Hollywood types, is breaking new ground with a store opening this week.
Vrai & Oro, the Los Angeles fine jewelry label that was purchased by Diamond Foundry in November of last year, is opening a store in downtown L.A. at the ROW DTLA shopping center this week.
It’s the first brick-and-mortar location for Vrai & Oro, which previously sold jewelry online only and markets itself as a company that sells to its customers without a retail markup.
The new store is 680 square feet and will sell all three of Vrai & Oro’s collections featuring Diamond Foundry diamonds: Essentials, which consists of everyday diamond and 14-karat gold pieces like pendants and stacking rings priced under $1,000, with most of it retailing for under $500; the Vow collection, Vrai & Oro’s fore into bridal; and its recently launched Black collection, which also consists of everyday diamond pieces but with larger stones. It’s priced from $2,080 for a 0.65-carat rose-cut diamond pendant necklace to $8,460 for 2-carat diamond stud earrings.
A spokesperson indicated to National Jeweler that the addition of larger-sized diamond pieces from the Vow and Black collections helped inspire the company to open a space where customers could see the pieces in person.
“We’re excited to be able to offer in-person appointments for larger purchases, such as engagement rings, as well as showcasing exclusive limited-edition designs,” she said, adding that the space would also offer education about Diamond Foundry-created stones.
Diamond Foundry developed its own solar power technology to create its man-made diamonds, growing them in plasma reactors at their San-Francisco location. Diamonds are cut and polished on-site and graded by the Gemological Institute of America.
The company has initiated a slew of partnerships with prestigious retailers--such as Barney’s and Portland, Oregon independent jeweler Twist--and designers over the past year.
Diamond Foundry counts Leonardo DiCaprio as an investor, and Wendi Murdoch and fashion entrepreneur Miroslava Duma as brand ambassadors.
Vrai & Oro’s brick-and-mortar store will be open to the public beginning this Saturday, with an exclusive opening event held on Friday.
Vrai & Oro’s 18-karat rose gold oval rose-cut 0.65-carat diamond ring with a Diamond Foundry-grown diamond ($2,400)
One-carat round brilliant Diamond Foundry-created diamond pendant necklace in 18-karat white gold ($4,515)
“Door Knocker” studs in 18-karat yellow gold with 1-carat total weight rose-cut Diamond Foundry-grown diamonds ($2,570)
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Independents
The Latest
MajorsJul 31, 2026
Macy’s Iconic Red Shopping Bag Sign Torn DownThe massive billboard has been in the same spot on the department store’s Herald Square flagship store for decades.
SourcingJul 31, 2026
Gemfields’ H1 Revenue Jumps 72%The miner’s ruby and emerald auctions brought in a combined $102.9 million.
Brought to you by
Why More Jewelry Retailers Are Hosting Turnkey Estate Buying EventsRetailers are seeking new ways to attract customers, increase traffic, and create revenue – Estate buying events are a popular solution.
SourcingJul 30, 2026
De Beers Sale in ‘Final, Most Challenging’ Phase, Anglo CEO SaysThe goal is for the De Beers sale to be finished by the second half of 2026, with the subsequent approvals process expected to take a year.
Weekly QuizJul 30, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
Policies & IssuesJul 30, 2026
JA Heads Back to Washington as New Wave of Tariffs Takes Effect David Bonaparte, along with Tim Haake and Ronnie VanderLinden, continue to lobby for tariff exemptions for diamonds, gemstones, and pearls.
SurveysJul 30, 2026
Consumer Confidence Slips in JulySurvey respondents were concerned about the rising prices of food and groceries as well as unemployment.
Brought to you by
Wedding Band Trends 2026: Personalization Takes Center StageColored gemstones, artisan finishes, mixed metals, and meaningful details are shaping demand in bridal jewelry.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Vicenzaoro Releases 2026 Education LineupThe trade show, slated for Sept. 4-8 in Vicenza, Italy, will feature sessions on trends, AI, gemology, and manufacturing.
Events & AwardsJul 30, 2026
Hillsborough Show Moves to New Location for 2026The public shopping event featuring art, jewelry, watches, and rare collectibles, will take place in Santa Clara, California, this fall.
EditorsJul 29, 2026
Q&A: The Past and Future of Angola’s Diamond Industry Endiama Commercial Director Elton Escrivão knows people have a lot of misperceptions about Angola. He wants to change that.
MajorsJul 29, 2026
Kevin Reilly Retires After 39 Years in the Jewelry Industry Reilly has been with PGI USA for the last 20 years, leading partnership development and professional education.
FinancialsJul 29, 2026
Kering’s H1 Jewelry Sales Up 14%Boucheron reached record sales while Pomellato found success in its signature collections.
Events & AwardsJul 29, 2026
Lauren Harwell Godfrey Designs a Flag for ArkansasShe was one of more than 120 American designers who created flags for the “United Flags of Fashion” project led by CFDA and Vogue.
ColumnistsJul 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Why Your Job Postings May Be Working Against You Smith reveals the method The Retail Smiths use to help retailers and vendors write better job postings.
FinancialsJul 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Lead the Way for LVMH in H1LVMH’s jewelry and watch brands outperformed the company’s other divisions in an environment the company described as “disrupted.”
CollectionsJul 28, 2026
Lionheart’s New Collection Unites Spiritual Iconography“Sacred Heart” features symbols like crosses, angel wings, the Star of David, and the evil eye as a representation of coexistence.
Events & AwardsJul 28, 2026
The Edge Funding 2 Scholarships Via 24 Karat Club SEUS The scholarships will go to early-career professionals looking to study gemology, bench work and jewelry design, or store operations.
SurveysJul 27, 2026
Jewelry Leads Luxury Market Amid Stabilization, Bain SaysBain & Company delved into the trends shaping the luxury market, the impact of AI, and more in its recent study.
SourcingJul 27, 2026
‘Rubies’ Goes on Display at Harvard MuseumThe exhibition reveals the gemology, geology, and cultural history of the iconic red gemstone.
Policies & IssuesJul 24, 2026
New Trump Tariffs: What They Mean for Jewelry The new sweeping slate of tariffs impacts 60 countries, including India, China, Thailand, Hong Kong, and the United Arab Emirates.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: Ode to ‘The Odyssey’From coin pendants to diamond shields, these old world-inspired jewels are the perfect accessory for an epic journey.
TrendsJul 24, 2026
Courtney Leidy’s Silk Cord Pendants Center Unexpected Pairings Our Piece of the Week pairs a checkerboard-cut amethyst with an ivy green silk cord.
PodcastsJul 23, 2026
Episode 7: Reinhold Jewelers on the Power of RelationshipsMildred Marcano Abrams and Yael Reinhold join the podcast to talk community connections, holiday plans, and preserving Reinhold’s legacy.
SourcingJul 23, 2026
De Beers’ Production Jumps 88 Percent in Q2 Production also was up in the first half of 2026 but is expected to “substantially” decrease in H2 as two key mines undergo maintenance.
CollectionsJul 23, 2026
Silvia Furmanovich’s New Collection Travels Back to the 1920s“Art Deco” fuses ancestral techniques, rare materials, and modern perspectives as a tribute to the optimism and curiosity of the movement.
WatchesJul 23, 2026
Movado Inks Licensing Deal With Kate Spade New YorkThe watch company will design, manufacture, and distribute Kate Spade New York watches.
