Lab-grown diamonds comprise 51% of new engagement rings in 2026

According to the inaugural BriteCo Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Price Index 2026, lab-grown diamonds accounted for 51% of newly appraised engagement rings between January and June 2026. This marks a significant increase from 2019, when lab-grown stones appeared in only 6% of such rings.

The report highlights a shift in consumer preferences and pricing. In 2025, the median sales price for engagement rings was $6,939, while the median appraised insurance replacement value was $9,676. There is a notable price gap between diamond types: natural diamond engagement rings had a median sales price of $12,961 in 2025, compared to $4,557 for lab-grown options.

Other trends noted in the index include the median size of engagement ring center stones doubling from 1.01 carats in 2019 to 2.0 carats in 2025. Additionally, yellow gold surpassed white gold as the preferred jewelry metal in the United States in 2025, capturing 39% of the market compared to 38% for white gold.