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§ Private Profile · 445 Park Ave, New York, New York, United States
B Corp producer of carbon-negative lab-grown diamonds, offering ethical fine jewelry for sustainable luxury consumers.
New York-based Aether Diamonds produces carbon-negative lab-grown diamonds and fine jewelry collections using carbon dioxide extracted directly from the Earth's atmosphere. The company utilizes proprietary direct air capture and chemical vapor deposition technology to convert atmospheric greenhouse gases into sustainable luxury goods for both direct-to-consumer and business-to-business retail markets. As a certified B Corporation, the enterprise successfully scaled its specialized manufacturing capabilities after securing an $18 million Series A funding round in March 2022. This critical financing was backed by notable investment vehicles including SoundWaves, managed by Ashton Kutcher and Guy Oseary, alongside Marc Benioff's TIME Ventures. Following its recognition as one of TIME's Best Inventions, the company's core assets were subsequently acquired by the established jewelry retailer Grown Brilliance. Aether Diamonds was originally founded in 2020 by co-founders Ryan Shearman and Dan Wojno.
Aether Diamonds has raised $21.0M across 2 funding rounds.
Aether Diamonds has raised $21.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Aether Diamonds is a climate tech startup and certified B-Corporation that produces the world's first carbon-negative lab-grown diamonds by transforming atmospheric CO2 into gem-quality diamonds indistinguishable from mined ones[1][2][3][5]. It serves luxury jewelry consumers seeking ethical alternatives, solving the environmental and social harms of traditional diamond mining—such as deforestation, water pollution, child labor, and high emissions—while removing about 20 metric tons of CO2 per carat produced, powered by 100% renewable energy[1][3][4][5]. Aether has raised an $18 million Series A led by Helena, generated media buzz across science, tech, fashion, and business, and expanded commercially with applications in jewelry and industrial tools like saws and drills[2][4].
Founded by jewelry industry veterans frustrated with the diamond trade's social and environmental toll, Aether emerged from a mission to redefine ethical diamond production using cutting-edge tech[3][4]. Key figures include CTO Anthony Ippolito, an NJIT alumnus who drove the carbon-negative vision, and leaders like Shearman, who fine-tuned proprietary processes after years of iteration to "alchemize" diamonds from air pollution[4][6]. The idea crystallized through direct air capture (DAC) of CO2, synthesized into hydrocarbons for CVD reactors, achieving early traction with superior quality diamonds and a move to Manhattan's Diamond District for jewelry expertise; pivotal moments include becoming the first carbon-negative diamond company and securing Helena's investment[2][4][6].
Aether rides the wave of direct air capture (DAC) and conscious consumerism, timing perfectly with luxury brands shifting from mined diamonds amid rising demand for ethical, sustainable gems[2][3][5]. Market forces like Net Zero goals, climate tech investment, and lab-grown diamond growth (fueled by environmental scrutiny of mining) favor it, positioning Aether as a commercial scaler for DAC by monetizing captured carbon in high-value products[2]. It influences the ecosystem by pioneering carbon-negative luxury, validating DAC for industries beyond jewelry (e.g., 1.5 carats per U.S. car in tools), and inspiring transparency in jewelry while reducing global emissions through consumer choice[1][2][6].
Aether is poised to dominate carbon-negative luxury with commercial expansion, industrial pivots, and full self-sustainability (targeted by 2023, now advancing)[2][4]. Trends like DAC maturation, green energy abundance, and ethical luxury demand will propel growth, potentially evolving its influence from niche disruptor to DAC sector driver and standard-setter for climate-positive materials. This transforms pollution into brilliance, fulfilling its founding promise to leave the planet more brilliant.
Aether Diamonds has raised $21.0M across 2 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $18.0M Series A in March 2022.
| Date | Round | Lead Investors | Other Investors | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mar 3, 2022 | $18M Series A | Henry Elkus, Trirec | Khosla Ventures, Social Impact Capital, GUY Oseary | Announced |
| Dec 1, 2020 | $3M Seed | — | 8090 Industries, Altair Capital Management, Comal Ventures, Felicis Ventures, Geek Ventures, GE Ventures, Infinite Niches, Lowercarbon Capital, Rembrandt Venture Partners, Union Square Ventures, Village Global, David Mytton, Matt Brezina, Scott Belsky, Susan Danziger | Announced |
Aether Diamonds has raised $21.0M in total across 2 funding rounds.
Aether Diamonds's investors include Henry Elkus, TRIREC, Khosla Ventures, Social Impact Capital, Guy Oseary, 8090 Industries, Altair Capital Management, Comal Ventures, Felicis Ventures, Geek Ventures, GE Ventures, Infinite Niches.