Indian-Made Lab-Grown Diamond Reaches Space on Skyroot’s Vikram-1 Mission

A lotus-inspired jewellery creation featuring 16.9 carats of lab-grown diamonds has travelled to space aboard Skyroot Aerospace’s Vikram-1 orbital rocket, according to Bengaluru-based Cosmos Diamonds.

The rocket, developed by Skyroot Aerospace under Mission Aagaman, lifted off from the Satish Dhawan Space Centre in Sriharikota on July 18, marking a major milestone for India’s private space sector. The mission also carried the lotus-shaped jewel, designed as a cultural payload representing Indian heritage and innovation.

Named “Cosmos Bloom,” the creation consists of 32 pear-cut lab-grown diamonds set in 18-karat BIS-hallmarked gold. The diamonds were grown and crafted in India, with Cosmos Diamonds saying the jewellery was conceptualised and designed by its team before being developed with the help of multiple vendors, including those based in Surat.

Cosmos Diamonds founder and CEO Sanjana T said the company spent four months exploring ideas for a cultural payload before settling on the lotus. The flower was chosen for its deep association with Indian heritage and ancient wisdom, as well as its ability to retain its visual appeal from different angles.

The project, however, has triggered competing claims over the jewel's origin. Rajnikanth Chanchad, CEO of Surat-based Nityas Gems and Jewellery, had earlier claimed that a lab-grown diamond developed by his company was attached to Vikram-1. He said the creation involved 32 pear-cut diamonds weighing around 16.95 carats and was valued at approximately $12,000.

Cosmos Diamonds clarified that the lab-grown diamonds used in the project came from Surat, widely known as India's diamond hub, while the concept, design and collaboration were led by the Bengaluru firm. Sanjana said several vendors produced versions of the lotus design, making it unclear which specific piece was ultimately placed aboard the rocket.

The collaboration highlights the growing intersection of India's space technology, advanced manufacturing, jewellery design and lab-grown diamond industries, showcasing how locally developed products can find a place in high-tech missions beyond Earth.