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Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2021
Accounting Policies [Abstract]  
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements for the periods prior to the Reorganization Transactions and IPO have been presented to combine the previously separate entities. The consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) and reflect the financial position, results of operations and cash flows of the Company. As an emerging growth company (“EGC”), the Company has elected to use extended transition periods available to EGC companies for complying with new or revised accounting standards. These accounting policies have been consistently applied in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements.

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior period amounts to conform to the current presentation. These reclassifications had no impact on net income (loss), cash flows or stockholders’/member’s deficit previously reported.

Principles of Consolidation and Non-Controlling Interest

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiary, Brilliant Earth, LLC, which it controls due to ownership of the voting interest or pursuant to variable interest entity (“VIE”) accounting guidance. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The assets and liabilities of Brilliant Earth, LLC represent substantially all of the consolidated assets and liabilities of Brilliant Earth Group, Inc. Brilliant Earth Group, Inc., which was established June 2, 2021, has not had any material operations on a standalone basis since its inception, and all of the operations of the Company are carried out by Brilliant Earth, LLC.

The non-controlling interest on the consolidated statement of operations represents the portion of earnings or loss attributable to the economic interest in Brilliant Earth, LLC held by the Continuing Equity Owners. The non-controlling interest on the consolidated balance sheets represents the portion of net assets of the Company attributable to the Continuing Equity Owners, based on the portion of the LLC Interests owned by such unit holders. As of December 31, 2021, the non-controlling interest was 89.9%.

Use of Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Estimates are based on historical experience and on various other assumptions that are believed to be reasonable under the circumstances. Some of the more significant estimates include the allowance for sales returns, inventory valuation, useful lives and depreciation of long-lived assets, fair value of equity-based compensation, and prior to the Reorganization Transactions, the warrants and the redemption value of the redeemable Class P Units. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates. On an ongoing basis, the Company reviews its estimates to ensure that they appropriately reflect changes in its business or new information available.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. U.S. GAAP establishes a fair value hierarchy which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value. U.S. GAAP prescribes three levels of inputs that may be used to measure fair value:

Level 1    Valuation based on quoted prices (unadjusted) observed in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2    Valuation techniques based on inputs that are quoted prices of similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not in active markets; inputs other than quoted prices used in a valuation model that are observable for that instrument; and inputs that are derived from, or corroborated by, observable market data by correlation or other means.
Level 3    Valuation techniques with significant unobservable market inputs.

The Company is required to disclose its estimate of the fair value of material financial instruments, including those recorded as assets or liabilities in its financial statements, in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Through the date of the IPO, the Class P Units and warrants on Class P Units were the only financial instruments (assets or liabilities) measured at fair value on a recurring basis. As discussed in Note 1, Business and organization, the securities converted into LLC Interests in connection with the IPO and are now classified as equity. The fair value of the Class P Units and the warrants on Class P Units as of September 22, 2021 just before conversion into common LLC Units were $389.2 million and $6.4 million, respectively; these securities are no longer subject to this fair value disclosure. See Note 9, Stockholders and Members Equity, for further discussion.

The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities approximate fair value due to their short-term maturities and were classified as Level 1. The carrying value of long-term debt, net of debt issuance costs, also approximates its fair value, which has been
estimated by management based on the consideration of applicable interest rates (including certain instruments at variable or floating rates) and were classified as Level 2. Redeemable Convertible Class P Units and Class P Units underlying warrants were classified as Level 3 until the IPO at which time the securities were converted into LLC Interests.

Concentration of Risk

The Company maintains the majority of its cash and cash equivalents in accounts with major financial institutions within the U.S. in the form of demand deposits, money market accounts, and time deposits. Deposits in these institutions may exceed the amounts of insurance provided, or deposits may not be covered by insurance. The Company has not experienced losses on its deposits of cash and cash equivalents.

The Company’s ability to procure diamonds, gemstones and to produce jewelry is dependent on its relationships with various suppliers. No supplier accounted for more than 10% of inventory purchases in a given year during the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income is the change in equity of a business enterprise during a period from transactions and all other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. Other comprehensive income may include unrealized gain (loss) on available for sale securities, foreign currency items, and minimum pension liability adjustments. The Company did not have components of other comprehensive income. As a result, comprehensive income is the same as net income.

Cash and Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash

All highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less and deposits in transit from banks for payments related to third-party credit and debit card transactions are considered to be cash equivalents. Credit and debit card transactions are short-term and highly liquid in nature.

Restricted cash pertains to funds of $0.2 million securing a letter of credit related to a lease at one of the Company’s showroom locations. See Note 12, Commitments and Contingencies, for further discussion.

The following table provides a reconciliation of cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash from the consolidated balance sheets to the statements of cash flows for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
December 31,
202120202019
Cash and cash equivalents$172,865 $66,269 $40,394 
Restricted cash205 205 204 
Total$173,070 $66,474 $40,598 

Inventories, Net

The Company’s diamond, gemstone and jewelry inventories are primarily held for resale and valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Cost is primarily determined using the weighted average cost on a first-in, first-out (“FIFO”) basis for all inventories, except for unique inventory SKUs (principally independently graded diamonds), where cost is determined using specific identification. Net realizable value is defined as estimated selling price in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal and transportation.
Inventory reserves are recorded for obsolete, slow-moving or defective items and shrinkage. Inventory reserves are calculated as the difference between the cost of inventory and its estimated market value based on factors such as current and anticipated demand, customer preferences and fashion trends, management strategy and market conditions. Due to the Company’s inventory principally consisting of diamonds, gemstones and fine jewelry, the age of the inventories has limited impact on the estimated market value. The Company’s diamonds and gemstones do not degrade in quality over time and diamond and gemstone inventory generally consists of the diamond and gemstone shapes and sizes commonly used in the jewelry industry. Product obsolescence is closely monitored and reviewed by management on an ongoing basis.

Property and Equipment, Capitalized Software and Website Development and Impairment Tests for Long-Lived Assets

Property and equipment are stated at cost less accumulated depreciation. Repairs and maintenance costs are expensed as incurred. Depreciation expense is calculated on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the related assets. The cost and related accumulated depreciation of assets sold or otherwise disposed of are removed from the accounts and the related gain or loss is reported in the consolidated statements of operations. Estimated useful lives by major asset category are as follows:

AssetLife (in years)
Computer equipment3
Equipment
5 - 7
Furniture and fixtures7
Software and website3
Leasehold improvements
Shorter of lease term or 10 years

The Company capitalizes costs of initial development of internal-use software and its website, and amortizes such costs on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful life of the software, which is generally three years, once it is available for use. Costs related to the ongoing maintenance of internal-use software and the website are expensed as incurred.

The Company reviews the carrying value of its long-lived assets, including property and equipment, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable. To the extent the estimated future cash inflows attributable to the assets, less estimated future cash outflows, are less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss would be recognized. No impairment losses have been recognized during the three years ended December 31, 2021, and as of December 31, 2021, no events or changes in circumstance have been identified that would indicate the carrying value of long-lived assets is not recoverable.

Leases

Assets under lease agreements are accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 840, Leases, and are reviewed for capital or operating classification at their inception. The Company’s leases are classified as operating leases under ASC 840 which are recognized as an expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term. In the event that lease incentives are received to enter into operating leases, such incentives are recognized as a liability and recognized as a reduction of the rental expense on a straight-line basis.

Warrants Issued in Connection with Financings

Warrants issued in connection with debt and equity financings are generally accounted for as a component of equity unless the warrants include a conditional obligation to issue a variable number of units among other conditions or there is a deemed possibility that the Company may need to settle the warrants in cash, in which case they are accounted for as non-current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets.
Debt Issuance Costs

Direct costs incurred on borrowings are capitalized and amortized to interest expense over the contractual term of the related loan using the effective interest method. See Note 8, Long-Term Debt, for further discussion. If the terms of a financing obligation are amended and accounted for as a debt modification by the Company, fees incurred directly with the lending institution are capitalized and amortized over the remaining contractual term using the effective interest method. Fees incurred with other parties are expensed as incurred.

Revenue Recognition

Overview

Net sales primarily consist of revenue from diamond, gemstone and jewelry retail sales and payment is required in full prior to order fulfillment. Delivery is determined to be the time of pickup for orders picked up in showrooms, and for shipped orders, typically within one to two business days after shipment. Credit is not extended to customers except through third-party credit cards or financing offerings. A return policy of 30 days from when the item is picked up or ready for shipment is typically provided; one complimentary resizing for standard ring styles is offered within 60 days of when an order is available for shipment or pickup; a lifetime manufacturing warranty is provided on all jewelry, with the exception of estate and vintage jewelry and center diamonds/gemstones; and a lifetime diamond upgrade program is included on all independently graded natural diamonds. The complimentary resizing, lifetime manufacturing warranty claims and lifetime diamond upgrades have not historically been material. An in-house three-year extended service plan, which provides full inspection, cleaning and certain repairs due to normal wear, is offered for an additional charge. An extended protection plan is also offered through a third party that has different terms ranging from 2 years to lifetime that vary based on the item purchased.

The following table discloses total net sales by geography for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019 (in thousands):
For the Years Ended December 31,
202120202019
United States$353,072 $233,169 $186,528 
International27,117 18,651 14,815 
Total net sales$380,189 $251,820 $201,343 
    

Revenue Recognition

Revenue is recognized under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) ASC 606, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (“ASC 606”). ASC 606 requires that revenue from customers be recognized as control of the promised goods is transferred to customers, which generally occurs upon delivery if the order is shipped, or at the time the customer picks up the completed product at a showroom. Revenue arrangements generally have one performance obligation and are reported net of estimated sales returns and allowances, which are determined based on historical product return rates and current economic conditions. The Company offers an in-house three-year extended service plan, which gives rise to an additional performance obligation, when purchased by the customer, which is recognized over the course of the plan. The Company also offers an extended protection plan in the capacity of an agent on behalf of a third-party that has different terms ranging from two years to lifetime that vary based on the item purchased. The commission that the Company receives from the third-party is recognized at the time of sale less an estimate of cancellations based on historical experience. There are no additional performance obligations in relation to the third-party plan. Additionally, sales taxes are collected and remitted to taxing authorities, and the Company has elected to exclude sales taxes from revenues recognized under ASC 606.

Contract Balances
Transactions where payment has been received from customers, but control has not transferred, are recorded as customer deposits in deferred revenue and revenue recognition is deferred until delivery has occurred. Deferred revenue also includes payments on the Company’s three-year extended service plan that customers have elected to purchase. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, total deferred revenue was $19.0 million and $11.0 million, respectively, of which $0.2 million and $0.2 million, respectively, were included within other long-term liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. During the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, the Company recognized $9.6 million, $8.1 million, and $5.9 million, respectively, of revenue that was deferred as of the last day of the respective prior year.

Sales Returns and Allowances

A returns asset account and a refund liabilities account are maintained to record the effects of estimated product returns and sales returns allowance. Returns asset and refund liabilities are updated at the end of each financial reporting period and the effect of such changes are accounted for in the period in which such changes occur.

The Company estimates anticipated product returns in the form of a refund liability based on historical return percentages and current period sales levels, and accrues a related returns asset for goods expected to be returned in salable condition less any expected costs to recover such goods, including return shipping costs that the Company may incur.

As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, refund liabilities balances were $2.3 million and $2.3 million, respectively, and are included as a provision for sales returns and allowances within accrued expenses and other current liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, returns asset balances were $1.1 million and $1.2 million, respectively, and are included within prepaid expenses and other current assets in the consolidated balance sheets. See Note 6, Accrued Expenses and Other Current Liabilities, for further discussion.

Fulfillment Costs

The Company generally does not bill customers separately for shipping and handling charges. Any fulfillment costs incurred by the Company when shipping to customers is reflected in cost of sales in the consolidated statements of operations.

Consignment Inventory Sales

Sales of consignment inventory are presented on a gross sales basis as control of the merchandise is maintained through the point of sale. The Company also provides independent advice, guidance and after-sales service to customers. Consigned products are selected at the discretion of the Company, and the determination of the selling price as well as responsibility of the physical security of the products is maintained by the Company. The products sold from consignment inventory are similar in nature to other products that the Company sells to customers and are sold on the same terms.

Cost of Sales

The Company purchases diamonds and gemstones from suppliers and utilizes third-party manufacturing suppliers for the production and assembly of substantially all jewelry sold by the Company. Cost of sales includes merchandise costs, inbound freight charges, costs of shipping orders to customers, costs and reserves for disposal of obsolete, slow-moving or defective items and shrinkage.

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses consist primarily of marketing, advertising and promotional expenses, payroll and related benefit costs for the Company’s employees, including equity-based compensation expense,
merchant processing fees, certain facility-related costs, customer service, technology and depreciation expenses, as well as professional fees and other general corporate expenses.

Marketing, advertising and promotional costs are expensed as incurred and totaled approximately $74.4 million, $47.1 million and $57.1 million, for the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, respectively.

Foreign Currency Transactions

Gains or losses resulting from foreign currency transactions are included within other expense, net in the consolidated statements of operations. For the years ended December 31, 2021, 2020 and 2019, losses from foreign currency transactions were $0.5 million, $0.3 million and $0.3 million, respectively.

Offering Costs

The Company capitalizes certain legal, accounting and other third-party fees that are directly related to an anticipated equity financing until such transaction is consummated. After consummation of an equity financing, these costs are recorded as a reduction of the proceeds received. Should a planned equity financing be abandoned, terminated or significantly delayed, the deferred offering costs are immediately written off to operating expenses in the consolidated statements of operations in the period of determination.

Equity-Based Compensation
 
Equity-based compensation is accounted for as an expense in accordance with ASC Topic 718, Compensation - Stock Compensation, with the fair value recognition and measurement provisions of U.S. GAAP which requires compensation cost for the grant-date fair value of equity-based awards to be recognized over the requisite service period. The Company uses the straight-line method to amortize all stock awards granted over the requisite service period of the award. The Company accounts for forfeitures when they occur, and any compensation expense previously recognized on unvested equity-based awards will be reversed when forfeited.

The fair value of awards of restricted LLC Units is based on the fair value of the member unit underlying the awards as of the date of grant. The fair value of the underlying member units (referred to as Class M Units prior to conversion to common LLC Units in the IPO on a value-for-value basis) for grants prior to the Company’s IPO in September 2021 was determined by considering a number of objective, subjective and highly complex factors including independent third-party valuations of the Company’s member units, operating and financial performance, the lack of liquidity of member units and general and industry specific economic outlook among other factors.

The fair value of restricted stock units (“RSUs”) is based on the fair value of the Class A common stock at the time of grant.
 
The fair value of option-based awards is estimated using the Black-Scholes valuation model. The Black-Scholes model requires the use of highly subjective and complex assumptions, including the option’s expected term and the price volatility of the underlying stock. For inputs into the Black-Scholes model, the expected stock price volatility for the common stock is estimated by taking the average historic price volatility for industry peers based on daily price observations over a period equivalent to the expected term of the stock option grants. Industry peers consist of several public companies in the Company’s industry which are of similar size, complexity and stage of development. The risk-free interest rate for the expected term of the option is based on the U.S. Treasury implied yield at the date of grant. The Company has elected to use the “simplified method” to determine the expected term, which is the midpoint between the vesting date and the end of the contractual term, because it has insufficient history upon which to base an assumption about the term; the Company believes the simplified method approximates a term if it were to be based on expected life. The expected dividend yield is nil as the Company has not paid and does not anticipate paying dividends on its common stock.
Member Units

Member units were assessed at issuance or when the terms were changed or modified for classification (as liabilities, temporary equity, or permanent equity), and for embedded conversion and redemption features requiring bifurcation. The Class F Units (“Class F Units”) and Class M Units meet the criteria for classification as permanent equity. As discussed in Note 9, Stockholders’ and Members’ Equity, the Class P Units were classified as temporary equity and
adjusted each reporting period to their redemption value.

Under the LLC Agreement, the holder of any Class P Units had the right at any time, at such holder’s option,
to convert any such Class P Units into Class F Units on a one-to-one basis. Included in the conversion formula was a down round feature which provided the P Unitholder with protection if at any time after the original issuance of the Class P Units, the Company shall issue any Class F or Class M Units, for a consideration per unit less than the applicable conversion price in effect immediately prior to the issuance of such Class F or Class M Units, such Conversion Price shall be decreased based on a formula as described. The embedded conversion feature including down round protection qualifies for an exception under the derivative rules for bifurcation and all proceeds from issuance were allocated to the P Units.

Distributions to Members

The LLC Agreement provides for the distribution of cash in defined amounts sufficient to fund member income tax liabilities.

Income Taxes

Brilliant Earth Group, Inc. accounts for its income taxes using the asset and liability method. Under this method, deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the estimated future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more-likely-than-not that the deferred tax assets will be realized. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are calculated by applying existing tax laws and the rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in the year of the enacted rate change.

Uncertainty in income taxes is accounted for using a recognition and measurement threshold for tax positions taken or expected to be taken in a tax return, which are subject to examination by federal and state taxing authorities. The tax benefit from an uncertain tax position is recognized when it is more likely than not that the position will be sustained upon examination by taxing authorities based on the technical merits of the position. The amount of the tax benefit recognized is the largest amount of the benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The effective tax rate and the tax basis of assets and liabilities reflect management’s estimates of the ultimate outcome of various tax uncertainties. The Company recognizes penalties and interest related to uncertain tax positions within the provision (benefit) for income taxes line in the consolidated statements of operations. As of December 31, 2021, no uncertain tax positions have been recorded. The Company will continue to monitor this position each interim period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

In August 2018, the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Customer’s Accounting for Implementation Costs Incurred in a Cloud Computing Arrangement That Is a Service Contract. The intent of the standard is to reduce diversity in practice in accounting for the costs of implementing cloud computing arrangements that are service contracts. Under the new standard, entities will be required to apply the accounting guidance as prescribed by ASC 350-40, Internal Use Software, in determining which implementation costs should be capitalized as assets or expensed as incurred.
The internal-use software guidance requires the capitalization of certain costs incurred during the application development stage of an internal-use software project, while requiring companies to expense all costs incurred during preliminary project and post-implementation project stages. The standard may be applied either
prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the adoption date or retrospectively. ASU 2018-15 is effective for the Company beginning after December 15, 2020, and interim periods within fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2021. Early adoption is permitted, including adoption in any interim period for which financial statements have not been issued. Application of the amendments can be applied either retrospectively or prospectively to all implementation costs incurred after the date of adoption. The Company adopted this guidance as of October 1, 2021, prospectively, which did not have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Pronouncements Issued but Not Yet Adopted

In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU 2016-02 – Leases, which was amended in January 2018 and requires an entity that leases assets to recognize on the balance sheet the assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases. Leases will be classified as either financing or operating, similar to current accounting requirements, with the applicable classification determining the pattern of expense recognition in the statement of earnings. The Company elected to adopt the ASU in the first quarter of 2022 by applying its provisions prospectively and no transition adjustment is expected to be recognized as of January 1, 2022. The Company also expects to elect the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which provides that an entity need not reassess: (i) whether any expired or existing contracts are or contain leases, (ii) the lease classification for any expired or existing leases, and (iii) initial direct costs for any existing leases. The Company anticipates recording lease assets and liabilities between approximately $17.0 million to $20.0 million on its consolidated balance sheets, with no material impact to its consolidated statements of operations. However, the ultimate impact of adopting ASU 2016-02 will depend on the Company’s lease portfolio as of the adoption date.

In June 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments (Topic 326), with additional amendments issued subsequently. Topic 326 changes the impairment model for most financial assets. The new model uses a forward-looking expected loss method, which will generally result in earlier recognition of allowances for losses. Topic 326 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2022, including interim periods within those fiscal years. Early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of Topic 326 but does not expect the adoption of the standard to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In December 2019, the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740): Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes (“ASU 2019-12”), which modifies ASC 740 to reduce complexity while maintaining or improving the usefulness of the information provided to users of financial statements. ASU 2019-12 is effective for the Company for interim and annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2021. The Company is currently assessing the impact of ASU 2019-12 but does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.

In March 2020, the FASB issued ASU 2020-04, Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting, which provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying U.S. GAAP to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions affected by reference rate reform if certain criteria are met. The amendments apply only to contracts, hedging relationships, and other transactions that reference the London Inter-bank offered rate (“LIBOR”) or another reference rate expected to be discontinued because of reference rate reform. The standard is effective for all entities as of March 12, 2020 through December 31, 2022 and may be elected over time as reference rate reform activities occur. The Company plans to apply the amendments in this update to account for any contract modifications that result from changes in the reference rate used. The Company is currently evaluating the impact, but does not expect this guidance to have a material impact on the Company's consolidated financial statements.