“内地刘銮雄”玩脱了？过亿家底拿不出2万债款，20年资本难支撑

Group 1 - Li Houlin, known for his extravagant lifestyle and numerous scandals, founded the "I Do" brand in the early 2000s, capitalizing on the booming Chinese jewelry retail market, which was nearly 50 billion yuan at that time [1] - "I Do" quickly became a popular choice for wedding rings, leveraging celebrity endorsements and aggressive advertising to secure a leading position in the market [1] - However, after 16 years, the brand faced significant challenges, including unpaid salaries, mass layoffs, and store closures, leading to over 6 million yuan in debts and the bankruptcy restructuring of its parent company, Hengxin Xili [3] Group 2 - The decline of "I Do" reflects a broader transformation in the diamond industry, driven by advancements in synthetic diamond technology, with emerging brands like "Zheguang" gaining market traction [4] - Other brands, such as DR Diamonds, also experienced profit declines, with a 20.62% drop in net profit in 2022, while De Beers reported a 21% decrease in revenue despite a 25% price reduction [6] - The perception of natural diamonds as scarce has been challenged, as global diamond reserves exceed 1 trillion carats, and 95% of synthetic diamonds are produced in China, priced at only one-tenth of natural diamonds [6] Group 3 - The U.S. Federal Trade Commission's 2018 revision of diamond definitions has legally equated synthetic diamonds with natural ones, altering market dynamics [8] - Consumers are increasingly opting for synthetic diamonds due to their quality and affordability, as demonstrated by a consumer choosing an 8.23-carat synthetic diamond necklace from Zheguang, which matched the quality of high-end natural diamonds at a third of the price [8] - Zheguang has successfully attracted high-net-worth individuals in major cities, achieving monthly sales exceeding one million yuan on platforms like Taobao and JD, indicating a stable market ecosystem for synthetic diamonds [10] Group 4 - The rise of synthetic diamond technology in China is expected to play a crucial role in reshaping the global diamond market, offering new commercial value and development opportunities [10]