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US couples spent 5% less on engagement rings in 2024 : The Knot

Rise in demand for LGD is reducing costs, influencing the size of center stones

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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.

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JB Insights

Gifting That Lasts – How Gold and Silver Coins Bridge Heritage and Modern Life

Ketan Kothari , Director of Augmont

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Most people think of gifting gold and silver as a nod to nostalgia. In reality, it’s one of the few traditions that has outperformed every modern “smart” gift you can name. Long before fintech apps and inflation charts, Indian households treated these metals as portable wealth, a hedge against uncertainty, and a quiet transfer of wisdom from one generation to the next. That logic has not aged a day; rather, it remains even more relevant in a world where assets can be compromised with a password reset.

Ketan Kothari , Director of Augmont

What has changed is the way these coins look and live in our lives. Classic Lakshmi – Ganesh motifs now share space with clean, contemporary designs that feel at home in a digital world. The modern take on it makes each piece both timeless and current. Every coin carries its own story, turning family milestones into tangible memories while steadily gaining value as gold and silver prices continue to climb year after year. It is beauty and intrinsic value in one small disc. It is a heritage you can hold, and an investment built to last across generations.

Augmont brings this legacy to life with coins that pair high purity with artistry that honors tradition while embracing today’s aesthetic, offering a gift as enduring as the heritage it represents.

Why Choose Augmont Coins?

1. A Range That Resonates
From divine Lakshmi–Ganesh motifs to limited editions and unique designs in 24K and 22K gold and silver, Augmont offers a variety that suits every occasion. Each coin is crafted to celebrate moments that matter, whether personal milestones or festive rituals.

2. Stories Encased in Metal
These coins carry meaning at multiple levels. Many are tied to festivals, family traditions, or commemorative events, reimagining each piece as a memory that endures alongside its value.

3. Quality That Lasts Generations
Augmont coins are designed with precision and aim to withstand time. Their enduring craftsmanship ensures they remain beautiful keepsakes, ready to be passed down as family heirlooms while preserving their shine and value.

4. Trust You Can Hold
Every coin comes with 999 purity, BIS-certified refinery credentials, and secure packaging. Rigorous minting checks and transparent authenticity measures make each coin a reliable investment as well as a meaningful gift.

5. Versatility Across Life and Legacy
Whether it’s for a festival, a milestone, a special reward, or just a smart personal investment, Augmont coins fit naturally into the moment, carrying both meaning and value without ever feeling out of place.

6. A Legacy of Trust
Trusted by thousands of jewellers and millions of users across the country, Augmont coins have become a choice people rely on, not just for their value, but for the assurance they carry.

How Tradition Meets Technology

1. Timed for Auspicious Moments
Gold and silver coins remain the benchmark for occasions like Diwali, Akshaya Tritiya, and other auspicious events. With digital and quick-commerce platforms, these timeless gifts can now be bought and gifted instantly, without compromising the ritual.

2. Convenience Of Payment
UPI-enabled transactions bring efficiency without losing the emotional value of gifting.

3. A Platform Built for Today
Platforms like Augmont make it easy to combine tradition with today’s convenience, whether it’s setting up Gold/Silver SIPs, picking Gold/Silver coins online, storing them securely, or redeeming as per convenience. The old and the new come together without missing a beat.

Gold and silver coins have a way of staying with us long after the festival. They become part of the stories families live and share. A coin given at Diwali, added to a wedding trousseau, or exchanged to mark a milestone, holds memories, celebrates relationships, and marks achievements. Over the years, these coins carry the weight of tradition, the joy of moments lived, and the reassurance of foresight. By bringing the past into the present, they turn every gift into something personal, lasting, and truly memorable.

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JewelBuzz is Asia’s First Digital Jewellery Media & India’s No.1 B2B Jewellery Magazine, published by AM Media House. Since 2016, we’ve been the trusted source for jewellery news, market trends, trade insights, exhibitions, podcasts, and brand stories, connecting jewellers, retailers, and industry professionals worldwide.

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