Next Generation Jewellery – Meet Nevermined and mandana

Christine Marhofer had a dream: to redefine luxury through sustainability. In a world where jewellery often comes at a high environmental and ethical cost, she set out to create a niche where breathtaking design meets responsibility. The first manifestation of this vision was Nevermined—a start-up specializing in lab-grown diamonds. The natural evolution of this initiative led to the birth of mandana, a jewellery brand where Christine’s values and Nevermined’s diamonds take shape in bold, modern designs.

 

After earning her business degree at the prestigious LDT Nagold Academy of Fashion Management, Christine spent years thriving in the fashion industry. Yet, the entrepreneurial spirit in her craved something more—something aligned with her passion for sustainability and ethical production. She wanted to create something lasting, something symbolic. Jewellery and diamonds caught her eye. It didn’t take long for Christine to recognize the untapped potential of lab-grown diamonds (LGD). Her deep dive into the industry led to a bold decision: establishing her own diamond production facility in Essen, Germany. In 2021, Nevermined was born—one of the first companies in Germany specializing in the production of laboratory-grown diamonds.

 

Lab-Grown Brilliance

 

To the naked eye, a lab-grown diamond is indistinguishable from a mined one. They share the same chemical, physical, and optical properties, delivering identical brilliance, purity, and hardness. They’re classified by the same 4C standard (Carat, Cut, Clarity, Color) and certified by leading gemological institutes like GIA and IGI. For Christine, the beauty of lab-grown diamonds isn’t just about their sparkle—it’s about the peace of mind that comes with them. “Diamond mining has a negative impact on the environment and involves ethical issues and economic challenges,” explains the Nevermined team. “Lab-grown diamonds, by contrast, are produced without deforestation or ground pollution and with less CO2.” At Nevermined, they exclusively use renewable energy for production. And they’re not stopping there. “We are currently working to generate most of the energy we need ourselves in the near future,” adds Christine. Once the diamonds were growing, it was time to give them a setting—enter mandana.

 

Jewellery for the New Generation

 

Nevermined set the stage for Christine’s next venture: mandana. The stunning lab-grown diamonds from Essen inspired a jewellery line that translates Nevermined’s values into wearable, high-fashion statements. But mandana isn’t just about sustainable stones. Handcrafted in Germany and Spain, the brand’s collections feature 18k recycled gold, vegan Oleatex jewellery boxes, and ribbons made from NewLife yarn, an innovative material derived from recycled plastic bottles. Sustainability is woven into every element of the brand’s DNA—but so is design. mandana’s aesthetic is bold, architectural, and unapologetically modern. A recurring theme? The octagon, a motif that runs through collections like Reflect and Mandana. The Elements collection, inspired by the raw energy of nature’s forces, showcases lab-grown diamonds in a kaleidoscope of colours and shapes. And then there’s All Gens—a bold, gender-fluid collection that pushes the boundaries of inclusivity and accessibility. mandana and Nevermined stand for conscious luxury, but they also stand for democratizing diamonds. The price difference between lab-grown and mined diamonds is staggering—with the same carat weight, lab-grown diamond jewellery can cost up to several times less.

 

Conscious Luxury

 

Nevermined is rooted in Christine’s personal values, but it also reflects a seismic shift in the luxury industry. The new generation of consumers is redefining what high-end means, prioritizing sustainable craftsmanship over exclusivity for the sake of exclusivity. This shift is captured perfectly in Nevermined’s ethos: Next Generation Diamonds for Next Generation Customers. “In recent years, the understanding of luxury has changed,” says Christine. “As our sense of responsibility for preserving our planet increases, our willingness to invest in luxury goods simply due to scarcity is waning. At mandana, we firmly believe that a piece of jewellery doesn‘t gain value through scarcity – but through its contribution to a sustainable future.”

Want a closer look? Nevermined diamonds and mandana jewellery will be showcased at INHORGENTA Munich (February 21-24, 2025). Catch our live coverage from booth B2.423 on Instagram, where we’ll be bringing you exclusive footage straight from the show floor!