Why Natural Diamonds Still Matter in a Lab-Grown World

Why do natural diamonds still matter in a world where lab-grown diamonds are changing the way customers think about price, value, and jewelry?

In this episode of Bling Talks, Anthony Haddad sits down with Kaushal Shah, President of VEER, for a wide-ranging conversation about natural diamonds, independent jewelers, provenance, storytelling, Botswana, and the future of the jewelry industry.

Kaushal shares how growing up around rough diamonds shaped his career, why he chose the jewelry business over corporate America, and how years of traveling across the United States helped him understand the needs of independent retailers.

He also explains why VEER chose to double down on natural diamonds, how retailers can differentiate themselves beyond price, and why he believes provenance, traceability, and the human story behind a diamond can become increasingly important.

The conversation also goes deeper into Kaushal’s experience with Botswana’s diamond supply chain, the idea of radical transparency, and what retailers can do to create more value for customers in a market where price comparison has become easier than ever.

One of Kaushal’s strongest messages for jewelers is simple:

Retailers don’t necessarily need more product — they need a better story to tell.

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IN THIS EPISODE

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• Kaushal’s journey from rough diamonds to the jewelry business

• The 53-day cold-calling story that helped launch his career