DiamondBuzz
LGDs dominate engagement ring segment, 239% increase since 2020: The Knot
Price stability may unlock deferred demand, while investment demand persists and wedding-related purchases support jewellery sales.
The traditional diamond industry just got a serious wake-up call. According to the latest data from The Knot, 2025 marked the official “takeover” of lab-grown diamonds in the engagement ring market. Couples are ditching the natural pipeline in favor of LGD stones that offer more sparkle for fewer dollars.
Here is the breakdown of how the engagement ring landscape shifted over the last year.
The Lab-Grown Revolution
The numbers don’t lie: synthetic stones are no longer a “budget alternative”—they are the primary choice.

- Market Dominance: 61% of couples chose a lab-grown center stone in 2025.
- The Growth Factor: That’s a staggering 239% increase since 2020.
- The “Why”: It’s a mix of economic pragmatism and evolving values. In fact, 40% of buyers specifically sought out lab-grown stones for ethical or personal reasons.
Spending vs. Size: The Great Trade-Off
While couples are spending less on average, they are walking away with much bigger rocks.
| Feature | Lab-Grown (Avg) | Natural Diamond (Avg) |
| Average Cost | $4,300 | $7,000 |
| Carat Size | 2.0 cts | 1.6 cts |
| Top Shape | Oval | Round |
Bottom Line: The average total spend on rings dropped from $5,200 in 2024 to $4,600 in 2025, yet the average stone size grew from 1.7 to 1.9 carats. Essentially, couples are getting “more for less.”
Style Trends: Yellow Gold is Back
It’s not just about the stone; the “look” of the ring is evolving too.
- Metal Magic: Yellow gold is the undisputed champion at 39% demand (a 140% jump over five years), while white gold continues to lose its luster.
- The Silhouette: Solitaire settings remain the top pick (38%), emphasizing the “big stone” aesthetic.
- Shape Shifters: While Round is still the #1 shape overall (26%), Ovals are hot on its heels at 25%. Emerald, princess, pear, and marquise shapes follow behind at 8% each.
- The Personal Touch: 90% of couples opted for custom designs or edits—the “cookie-cutter” ring is officially out.
The Shopping Experience: High-Tech Stones, Old-School Service
Despite the rise of lab-grown tech, couples still want a “main street” experience.
- In-Person Preference: Over 50% of couples say shopping in person is a must.
- The Hunt: On average, proposers visit two retailers and look at 10 different rings before pulling the trigger.

- Final Click vs. Handshake: 64% of purchases were made in-store, with only one-third of couples buying online.
DiamondBuzz
Divine Solitaires Reinforces The Value Of Diamonds Amid Rising Gold Prices and Evolving Consumer Sentiment
Divine Solitaires Shares Its Perspective On Why Natural Diamonds Remain A Timeless and Relevant Choice For Modern Buyers.
Amid recent debates about rising gold prices and changing consumer purchasing habits, Divine Solitaires has provided a timely brand viewpoint pushing customers to reconsider how they approach milestone and aspirational purchases. Drawing on the greater economic conversation about reduced gold dependency and smarter purchasing choices, the brand has proposed a simple but relevant idea: halting gold purchases does not have to imply pausing personal celebrations or dreams.

Built around the message, “A Golden Pause. A Diamond Moment.”, the brand’s latest communication reflects the current market reality, where consumers are becoming more mindful of gold purchases amid unprecedented bullion price hikes and evolving government measures impacting the gold sector. Divine Solitaires believes this moment presents an opportunity for buyers to shift their focus toward natural diamonds, which continue to hold emotional, symbolic, and long-term value for milestone moments.
The idea also stems from a broader industry and economic perspective. While more than 90% of the gold consumed in India is imported, India’s natural diamond ecosystem remains deeply connected to the country’s economy, with Indian artisans cutting and polishing over 90% of the world’s diamonds, most of which are exported globally. Divine Solitaires highlights how choosing natural diamonds not only celebrates emotional and milestone moments, but also supports Indian craftsmanship, employment, foreign exchange generation, and the country’s global leadership in the diamond industry.

Additionally, the brand positions solitaire diamond coins as meaningful modern purchases that can serve as a thoughtful alternative to traditional gold coins. While gold coins often offer limited value addition to the Indian economy due to high import dependency, natural diamonds contribute significantly to India’s craftsmanship, exports, employment, and global industry leadership combining emotional value with lasting economic impact.
Commenting on this perspective, Jignesh Mehta, Founder and MD, Divine Solitaires, said:

“Jewellery has always been deeply emotional, whether it marks love, achievement, commitment, or self-reward. At Divine Solitaires, we looked at the current gold price scenario and felt there was a larger, more relevant consumer conversation to participate in. If buyers are consciously holding back on gold due to current market conditions, it doesn’t mean their celebrations or aspirations should be put on hold.”
He further added,”Natural diamonds offer timeless emotional value and remain deeply aspirational. At the same time, they are part of an industry where India has built extraordinary global leadership through its craftsmanship and processing expertise. This is our way of encouraging consumers to think differently, thoughtfully, and meaningfully in the current environment.”
With this, Divine Solitaires maintains its position as a brand that goes beyond product-driven conversations, engaging with real customer sentiment and bigger societal developments while underlining natural diamonds’ enduring value.
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