Lauren Petrovic sits down with Olivia Landau, founder and CEO of The Clear Cut, to unpack what it really takes to build trust inside one of the most opaque industries in the world, and turn that into a multi-million dollar business.
From her early days on the bridal floor at Tiffany & Co. to launching an educational blog that evolved into a category-defining brand, Olivia shares how transparency became her competitive advantage.
This conversation goes beyond diamonds. It explores conviction in leadership, knowing the “hill you’re willing to die on,” and building a company rooted in non-negotiables. Even when the market pushes in the opposite direction.
They also dive into the evolving definition of luxury, the rise of bespoke experiences, and how trust—not product—is becoming the true currency of modern brands.
00:00 – Opening: Trust in one of the most opaque industries
01:00 – Olivia’s founding story & early exposure to diamonds
03:00 – From Tiffany & Co. to the Diamond District
04:30 – The Clear Cut begins as an educational blog
05:30 – Turning a side project into a real business
06:30 – Inside the diamond industry: relationships, trust, and opacity
08:00 – Educating the modern consumer
10:00 – Misconceptions about natural diamonds & supply chains
11:30 – Visiting diamond cutting facilities in India
13:30 – The global diamond supply chain explained
14:30 – Building proprietary tech (GEM platform & AI layer)
17:00 – Market insights: what clients are buying today
19:00 – Natural vs. lab-grown diamonds: long-term implications
20:00 – Leadership under pressure & decision frameworks
22:00 – Standing firm on non-negotiables
23:00 – Building a company with your partner
25:00 – Parenthood and redefining “balance”
27:00 – Seasons of life and work
29:00 – The future of luxury & shifting consumer behavior
31:00 – Experience vs. product in luxury
32:00 – Trust as the foundation of modern brands
33:00 – What Olivia is most proud of (Columbia Business School case study)
35:00 – Legacy, impact, and long-term vision
36:00 – Non-negotiables: honesty & authenticity
37:00 – What luxury needs today: personalization
38:00 – Jewelry styling & closing reflections