by PENG Peng
Kering SA, the French luxury group behind Gucci and Saint Laurent, has joined Chinese investors including Xiaomi founder LEI Jun and Genki Forest's TANG Binsen in backing Borland, a high-end Chinese gold jeweler known for its filigree craftsmanship.
Borland has raised more than RMB 100 million (about US$14 million) in a Series A round led by Challenjers Venture Capital, an investment firm controlled by Tang. Lei Jun's Shunwei Capital and Kering also participated, according to Challenjers.
Founded in 1988, Borland specializes in traditional Chinese goldsmithing techniques such as filigree and "ancient style" handcrafting, a category that has surged in popularity among young Chinese consumers. The brand is operated by Hangzhou Baolan Gold Research Institute, whose founder and chief executive holds a majority stake, corporate records show.
Borland currently runs three boutiques in China, including locations in Hangzhou and Shenzhen's top-tier luxury malls. Its handcrafted pieces — often incorporating gemstones and intricate gold wirework — sell at premium price points, with some bracelets priced above RMB 120,000 on its online store.
For Kering, the investment marks a rare move into the jewelry category in China outside its own brands, and underscores rising global interest in the country's fast-growing gold jewelry market. China is the world's largest consumer of physical gold, with demand increasingly driven by younger buyers seeking culturally rooted design and higher craftsmanship.
The deal also highlights growing investor appetite for China's luxury and artisanal labels as the country's upscale consumer market matures. Borland said the new capital will support product development, retail expansion and brand-building initiatives.
