Lab-Grown Diamonds Dominate U.S. Engagement Rings

United States Jewelry News: The American engagement ring market is undergoing a remarkable transformation, and laboratory-grown diamonds are now firmly at the center of the shift. According to the latest Real Weddings Study from wedding planning platform The Knot, more than six out of every ten couples in the United States—about 61 percent—chose a lab-grown diamond for their engagement ring in 2025. The figure represents a dramatic rise from previous years and signals a new era in the jewelry industry where technology, affordability, and evolving consumer values are redefining what couples consider meaningful luxury.

The speed of the transition has surprised many observers within the jewelry trade. Just a few years ago, natural diamonds still held a commanding lead in engagement ring purchases. In 2024, the share of lab-grown diamonds had reached 52 percent, marking the first time the balance tipped away from natural stones. The momentum had already been building earlier, with lab-grown diamonds representing 46 percent of engagement rings in 2023. Going further back highlights just how dramatic the change has been—only about 12 percent of couples selected lab-grown diamonds in 2019. This United States Jewelry News report notes that such rapid adoption reflects both shifting consumer attitudes and the growing acceptance of alternative luxury materials among younger buyers.

Economic Factors Driving the Shift

One of the strongest forces behind the growing popularity of lab-grown diamonds is price. Couples are finding that laboratory-created stones offer significantly larger carat sizes at noticeably lower costs. During 2025, the average amount spent on an engagement ring featuring a lab-grown diamond was approximately $4,300. This represented a decline from the $4,900 average recorded the year before.

Natural diamond engagement rings remain more expensive by comparison. Couples who chose mined diamonds spent around $7,000 on average in 2025, down from roughly $7,600 in 2024. Even with the price decline, natural stones still command a premium that many younger buyers appear increasingly unwilling to pay when a visually identical alternative exists.

Larger Stones and Changing Style Preferences

Lab-grown diamonds are also influencing the size and style of engagement rings. Couples who selected laboratory-grown stones in 2025 typically chose a center diamond weighing about 2.0 carats. Those purchasing natural diamonds tended to select smaller center stones, averaging around 1.6 carats.

Across both categories, the average diamond size for engagement rings reached 1.9 carats with an average total price of approximately $4,600. The ability to afford larger stones without dramatically increasing budgets has become one of the most powerful selling points of lab-grown diamonds.

When it comes to shape preferences, oval diamonds have become especially popular among buyers of lab-grown stones. Meanwhile, couples opting for natural diamonds were more likely to select the classic round cut. Colorless diamonds remain the dominant choice overall, though sapphires and moissanite have emerged as the most popular non-diamond center stones.

Engagement Ring Shopping Habits Are Also Evolving

The study surveyed nearly 10,500 couples who married in 2025, offering insights into how engagement ring shopping itself is changing. One notable trend is the increasing involvement of both partners in the selection process. About 79 percent of ring recipients participated in choosing their ring, and roughly a quarter of couples visited retailers together before the proposal.

Despite the rise of online retail, traditional jewelry stores continue to play a crucial role. Nearly two-thirds of buyers ultimately purchased their engagement rings in person, often after visiting an average of two retailers and viewing around ten rings before making a final decision.

What the Market Shift Means

The surge in lab-grown diamond popularity signals a fundamental realignment within the engagement ring market. Economic practicality, changing values around sustainability, and the appeal of larger stones at lower prices have combined to reshape expectations. As younger generations continue to prioritize transparency, affordability, and personal expression, the momentum behind lab-grown diamonds appears unlikely to slow. For retailers and suppliers alike, adapting to these evolving preferences may determine who thrives in the next phase of the bridal jewelry market.

The Knot’s Real Weddings Study 2026 can be found here:

https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/theknot.com/xo-content/pdf/the-knot-real-weddings-study-data-read-out-2026.pdf

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