DiamondBuzz
U.S. couples spent 5% less on engagement rings in 2024 : The Knot
In recent years, the engagement ring market has witnessed significant changes, particularly in consumer spending and gemstone preferences. According to a report by The Knot, U.S. couples spent approximately 5% less on engagement rings in 2024 compared to the previous year. The average cost of an engagement ring fell from $5,500 in 2023 to $5,200 in 2024, marking a 10% decline from 2022 and a 13% decrease from 2021. This trend aligns with the increasing preference for lab-grown diamond center stones, which, for the first time, accounted for more than half of all engagement rings purchased. The shift towards synthetic diamonds has surged by 40% since 2019, contributing significantly to the downward trend in overall spending on engagement rings.
The rise in demand for lab-grown diamonds is not only reducing costs but also influencing the size of center stones. While the average cost of a natural diamond engagement ring remains at $7,600, couples who opt for lab-grown alternatives tend to select larger stones. In 2024, the average engagement ring center stone measured 1.7 carats, an increase from the 1.5-carat average in 2021. This shift suggests that couples are prioritizing carat size while seeking more affordable alternatives to mined diamonds. Additionally, shape and metal preferences have remained relatively stable, with round and oval cuts being the most popular, and white and yellow gold accounting for over 70% of engagement ring settings. Notably, yellow gold has increased in popularity by 5% year-over-year, while white gold has declined by 3%.
Beyond gemstone and metal choices, setting styles are also evolving. Prong settings continue to dominate, with 35% of respondents selecting this classic option. However, the hidden halo setting—a cluster of diamonds encircling the base of the center stone—has gained traction, capturing 18% of the market and surpassing the traditional halo setting, which saw a decline to 13%. This trend reflects a shift in aesthetic preferences among modern couples who seek a balance between timeless elegance and contemporary design. Moreover, the engagement ring purchasing process has become more meticulous. Over half of proposers spent between one and four months researching and selecting a ring, with a quarter taking even longer. The increase in shopping duration correlates with a rise in the number of jewelers visited. On average, proposers explored five stores in 2024, compared to just two in 2022 and 2023, underscoring the importance of in-person evaluation before making a purchase.
The engagement ring industry continues to adapt to evolving consumer behavior, as financial considerations, ethical concerns, and aesthetic trends shape purchasing decisions. With lab-grown diamonds offering an affordable yet visually identical alternative to natural diamonds, the shift in spending and preferences is likely to persist. As couples become more discerning and invested in the selection process, the future of the engagement ring market may see further innovations and adjustments to meet the needs of modern consumers.
DiamondBuzz
Rio Tinto shuts Diavik mine operations after 23 years
Diavik has been an inspired collaboration between a mining company and Indigenous partners
After 23 years of operations and more than 150 million carats of rough diamonds produced before exhausting its economic reserves, Rio Tinto’s Diavik diamond mine in the Northwest Territories of Canada has celebrated its final day of production.
Rio Tinto Iron & Titanium and Diamonds MD Sophie Bergeron said: “Forty years ago there were very few people who believed there were diamonds in Canada – even fewer could have foreseen how the Diavik story would unfold. To arrive at this milestone has required vision, courage and determination to overcome significant challenges to mine diamonds beneath a frozen lake in one of the world’s most remote and pristine ecosystems.”
“Today, Diavik’s influence stretches into many spheres and over many continents and I am very proud to acknowledge all those people who have contributed to the discovery and development of the mine and the production and marketing of some of the finest diamonds the world has ever seen.”
Diavik mine, comprising four pipes, was discovered in 1991, beneath Lac de Gras, 220 kilometres south of the Arctic Circle. Mining began in 2003 and utilising both open pit and underground mining methods, has produced predominantly white gem quality diamonds and a small proportion of rare yellow diamonds.
Indigenous Government Organisations, government representatives and other stakeholders attended a celebration at the mine, signalling the formal completion of production at Diavik.
Diavik has been an inspired collaboration between a modern mining company and Indigenous partners with an enduring legacy of socioeconomic benefits for the North. RT looks forward to continuing to respectfully reclaim the land in line with our commitments to, and in partnership with, the Government of the Northwest Territories and Indigenous partners.
Planning for Diavik’s closure has been ongoing, commencing before the mine even began production, with closure goals covering safety, land use, landforms, water, biodiversity, community capacity and resource development. Closure activities will extend to 2029, followed by a period of post-closure monitoring.
The final production of Diavik rough diamonds will be polished and sold through 2026 and beyond by Rio Tinto’s international network of customers, including its long-standing Select Diamantaires.
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