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50+ Diamond Industry Statistics You Need to Know in 2026

By Joseph Vogel, Co-owner of USA Jewels • Last updated: July 19, 2026

Contents

  1. Key Diamond Statistics
  2. Global Market Size
  3. Lab-Grown vs Natural
  4. Engagement Ring Trends
  5. Pricing & Value
  6. Consumer Behavior
  7. Custom Jewelry Market
  8. E-Commerce & Online Sales
  9. Industry Outlook
  10. FAQ

The diamond industry is undergoing its most significant transformation in decades. Lab-grown diamonds are reshaping the engagement ring market, consumer preferences are shifting toward customization, and e-commerce is changing how diamonds are bought and sold. We compiled the most important diamond industry statistics from analyst firms, primary surveys, and industry reports to give you a comprehensive picture of where the market stands in 2026.

Key Diamond Industry Statistics (2026)

The most important numbers you need to know about the diamond market right now.

  1. The global diamond market is valued at $44.1 billion in 2026. (Source: Grand View Research, 2026)
  2. Lab-grown diamonds account for 61% of all US engagement ring purchases. (Source: The Knot Real Weddings Study, 2025)
  3. The average engagement ring costs $5,200. (Source: The Knot Jewelry & Engagement Study, 2024)
  4. Natural diamond sales grew 9% year-on-year in Q1 2026. (Source: De Beers Group, 2026)
  5. Gen Z spends $4,080 per natural diamond piece — nearly double Baby Boomers ($2,250). (Source: De Beers US Consumer Research, 2026)
  6. The customized jewelry market reached $42.25 billion in 2026. (Source: Research and Markets, 2026)
  7. Online jewelry sales are projected to reach $85.7 billion globally in 2026. (Source: Grand View Research, 2026)
  8. 69% of US engagement ring buyers prefer customized settings. (Source: Business Research Insights, 2026)

Global Diamond Market Size & Growth

How big the diamond industry is today and where analyst consensus says it's heading.

The global diamond market is valued at $44.1 billion in 2026 and is projected to reach $53.2 billion by 2033, growing at a CAGR of 2.7%. — Grand View Research, 2026
  1. North America dominates with 51% of global diamond revenue in 2025. (Source: Grand View Research, 2025)
  2. The jewelry and ornaments segment holds the largest market share by application. (Source: Grand View Research, 2025)
  3. Natural diamonds hold the largest market share by type in 2025. (Source: Grand View Research, 2025)
  4. De Beers reported total revenue of $3.5 billion for 2025, with rough diamond sales of $3.0 billion. (Source: De Beers Group, 2026)
  5. The global diamond market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 4.6% and reach $153.1 billion by 2034. (Source: Fortune Business Insights, 2026)
  6. Natural diamond value share stands at 85% versus 15% for synthetic diamonds in 2025. (Source: De Beers US Consumer Research, 2026)

Global Diamond Market Size Projection (USD Billions)

Source: Grand View Research, 2026

Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamond Market

The fastest-growing segment in the diamond industry and how it compares to natural stones.

The global lab-grown diamond market reached $29.73 billion in 2025 and is projected to grow to $108.98 billion by 2035 at a 13.87% CAGR. — Precedence Research, 2026
  1. Lab-grown diamond market share within the total diamond market exceeded 21% in 2025. (Source: Statista, 2025)
  2. The lab-grown diamond market is valued at $33.94 billion in 2026. (Source: Precedence Research, 2026)
  3. Asia Pacific dominates the lab-grown market with 34% share ($10.11 billion) in 2025. (Source: Precedence Research, 2025)
  4. North America is the fastest-growing region for lab-grown diamonds. (Source: Precedence Research, 2026)
  5. Lab-grown diamonds are priced 80-85% below natural diamond equivalents, with a 1-carat lab-grown starting from $305 versus $4,600 for natural. (Source: Madison Diamonds, 2026)
  6. Lab-grown diamonds account for approximately 42% of all diamond jewelry sold in 2025-2026. (Source: Grand View Research, 2026)
  7. Two-thirds of Gen Z engagement ring purchasers chose lab-grown diamonds. (Source: The Knot, 2025)

Lab-Grown Diamond Adoption: Engagement Rings vs All Jewelry

Source: The Knot, De Beers, Grand View Research, 2025-2026

Engagement Ring Spending & Trends

What couples are spending, what they're choosing, and how preferences are shifting.

61% of all engagement ring purchases in the US now feature a lab-grown center stone — a 239% increase since 2020. — The Knot Real Weddings Study, 2025
  1. The average engagement ring costs $5,200 according to The Knot's 2024 Jewelry & Engagement Study. (Source: The Knot, 2024)
  2. Nearly two-thirds (64%) of couples spend less than $6,000 on an engagement ring. (Source: The Knot, 2024)
  3. One-third (33%) of couples spend less than $3,000 on their engagement ring. (Source: The Knot, 2024)
  4. Lab-grown engagement rings cost roughly 73% less than natural diamond equivalents when comparing finished rings. (Source: Goodstone Inc, 2026)
  5. The average engagement ring price has declined each year since 2021, when it averaged $6,000. (Source: The Knot, 2024)
  6. Bridal occasions account for 45% of Gen Z diamond purchases. (Source: De Beers US Consumer Research, 2026)
  7. Natural diamonds are regaining ground in bridal: their share of engagement ring sales climbed back to 57.3% in 2025. (Source: Pricescope, 2025)
YearAverage Ring CostLab-Grown Share
2020$5,900~18%
2021$6,000~25%
2022$5,800~35%
2023$5,500~45%
2024$5,200~55%
2025~$4,600-$5,200~61%

Diamond Pricing & Value Trends

How diamond prices are moving across natural and lab-grown categories.

The Rapaport Diamond Index recorded an 11.3% decline for 1-carat natural diamonds over the full year of 2025. — Rapaport, 2025
  1. Natural diamond prices in the US reached approximately $4,407 per carat in December 2025. (Source: Pricescope, 2025)
  2. By March 2026, the US natural diamond price index reached $4,456 per carat. (Source: Pricescope, 2026)
  3. Diamonds under 0.5 carats bore the sharpest price drops, falling 26% in 2025 due to lab-grown competition. (Source: OM Jewels Inc, 2026)
  4. De Beers' average realized rough diamond price declined 7% to $142 per carat in 2025. (Source: De Beers Group, 2026)
  5. De Beers' unit production cost guidance for 2026 is approximately $80 per carat, down from $86/ct in 2025. (Source: De Beers Group, 2026)
  6. Average natural diamond jewelry purchase price rose 25% to $4,063 per piece in 2025, up from $3,242 in 2023. (Source: De Beers US Consumer Research, 2026)
  7. Average total carat weight per purchase increased to 1.86 carats in 2025, up from 1.65 carats in 2023. (Source: De Beers US Consumer Research, 2026)

Consumer Behavior & Preferences

How today's diamond buyers are making purchasing decisions, broken down by generation.

Gen Z accounts for 23% of natural diamond demand value while representing only 18% of the buyer population — spending nearly double what Baby Boomers spend per piece. — De Beers US Consumer Research, 2026
  1. US consumers rank natural diamond jewelry as their top luxury preference, with 11% of women naming it their most desired luxury gift. (Source: De Beers US Consumer Research, 2026)
  2. Gen Z diamond buyers purchase on average 1.83 occasions per year versus the overall average of 1.7. (Source: De Beers US Consumer Research, 2026)
  3. Non-bridal occasions account for three-quarters of overall US diamond demand. (Source: De Beers US Consumer Research, 2026)
  4. Birthday acquisitions represent 17% of Gen Z diamond purchases versus 13% across all generations. (Source: De Beers US Consumer Research, 2026)
  5. 65% of millennials stress that ethical sourcing and trustworthy certifications are essential when buying diamond jewelry. (Source: CaratX Consumer Survey, 2025)
  6. Over 70% of millennial buyers in 2025 expressed a preference for lab-grown diamonds. (Source: CaratX Consumer Survey, 2025)
  7. Personal motivations (celebrating a new job, promotion, achievement, or "just because") are increasingly driving diamond purchases beyond traditional love-related occasions. (Source: De Beers US Consumer Research, 2026)

Custom & Personalized Jewelry Market

The growing demand for customization and what it means for the jewelry industry.

69% of US engagement ring buyers prefer customized settings, and 54% of gifting purchases involve engraving or gemstone personalization. — Business Research Insights, 2026
  1. The customized jewelry market grew from $36.98 billion in 2025 to $42.25 billion in 2026. (Source: Research and Markets, 2026)
  2. The personalized jewelry market is projected to reach $81.4 billion by 2034, growing at 8.7% CAGR. (Source: Global Market Statistics, 2026)
  3. The custom jewelry service market grew from $3.95 billion to $4.3 billion between 2025 and 2026 (8.9% CAGR). (Source: The Business Research Company, 2026)
  4. More than 65% of consumers prefer personalized accessories over standardized designs. (Source: Cognitive Market Research, 2026)
  5. 58% of millennial buyers favor personalized jewelry over ready-made pieces. (Source: Cognitive Market Research, 2026)
  6. The jewelry customization market is projected to reach $3.98 billion by 2035, growing at 9.51% CAGR. (Source: Global Growth Insights, 2026)

E-Commerce & Online Diamond Sales

How digital channels are transforming the way diamonds and jewelry are bought and sold.

The global online jewelry market is projected to reach $85.7 billion in 2026, with the online channel growing at 8.0% CAGR — outpacing all other distribution channels. — Grand View Research, 2026
  1. Digital platforms are projected to account for 25% of all diamond jewelry transactions by the end of 2026. (Source: Jewel360, 2026)
  2. Mobile commerce dominates the transaction phase, accounting for over 60% of online jewelry purchases. (Source: Branvas, 2026)
  3. The online jewelry sector is projected to grow at a CAGR of 13.8% from 2025 to 2032, significantly outpacing the total jewelry market at 5% CAGR. (Source: Ice Cartel, 2026)
  4. North America accounts for 28-35% of global online jewelry sales, with the United States leading. (Source: Ice Cartel, 2026)
  5. The global online jewelry market grew from $76.2 billion in 2025 to $85.7 billion in 2026. (Source: Grand View Research, 2026)

Industry Outlook & Projections

What analysts and industry leaders see coming in the next 2-5 years.

  1. De Beers' rough diamond production fell 12% to 21.7 million carats in 2025, down from 24.7 million in 2024. (Source: De Beers Group, 2026)
  2. De Beers production guidance for 2026 is 21-26 million carats. (Source: De Beers Group, 2026)
  3. Several diamond producers are closing mines during 2026, reducing global rough diamond supply. (Source: Global Mining Review, 2026)
  4. De Beers reported a widened loss of $511 million amid ongoing market challenges. (Source: Mining Weekly, 2026)
  5. Botswana production dropped 16% to 15.1 million carats due to planned reductions at Orapa. (Source: De Beers Group, 2026)
  6. The lab-grown diamond market is projected to reach $108.98 billion by 2035, growing at 13.87% CAGR. (Source: Precedence Research, 2026)
  7. The global diamond market is expected to reach $53.2 billion by 2033 at 2.7% CAGR. (Source: Grand View Research, 2026)

Frequently Asked Questions

How big is the global diamond market in 2026?

The global diamond market is valued at approximately $44.1 billion in 2026 according to Grand View Research, with natural diamonds holding the largest market share by type. North America accounts for over 51% of revenue. The market is projected to grow at a CAGR of 2.7% through 2033.

What percentage of engagement rings use lab-grown diamonds?

Lab-grown diamonds now account for approximately 61% of all engagement ring purchases in the US according to The Knot's 2025 Real Weddings Study, a 239% increase since 2020. Among Gen Z buyers specifically, two-thirds choose lab-grown diamonds. However, natural diamonds still represent 85% of total diamond jewelry value.

How much does the average engagement ring cost in 2026?

The average engagement ring cost ranges from $4,600 to $6,500 depending on the source and methodology. The Knot reports an average of $5,200, while lab-grown options are pulling the blended average lower as adoption increases. Nearly 64% of couples spend less than $6,000, and a third spend under $3,000.

Are natural diamond prices going up or down?

Natural diamond prices saw an 11.3% decline for 1-carat stones in 2025 according to the Rapaport Diamond Index. Diamonds under 0.5 carats dropped 26%. However, average purchase prices rose 25% as consumers traded up to larger, higher-quality stones. Natural diamond sales grew 9% year-on-year in Q1 2026.

How fast is the custom jewelry market growing?

The customized jewelry market grew from $36.98 billion in 2025 to $42.25 billion in 2026. Nearly 69% of US engagement ring buyers prefer customized settings, and the broader personalized jewelry market is projected to reach $81.4 billion by 2034 at 8.7% CAGR.

Sources

Every stat above is sourced from one of the following organizations or publications:

  1. De Beers Group
  2. Grand View Research
  3. The Knot
  4. Precedence Research
  5. Fortune Business Insights
  6. Rapaport
  7. Statista
  8. Research and Markets
  9. Business Research Insights
  10. The Business Research Company
  11. Global Market Statistics
  12. Cognitive Market Research
  13. Global Growth Insights
  14. Pricescope
  15. CaratX
  16. Branvas
  17. Jewel360
  18. Mining Weekly
  19. Global Mining Review