The Future of Lab-Grown Diamonds and the Jewellery Market
Updated: 3 days ago
RAGAZZA DIAMOND · Updated 24 October 2026
Lab-grown diamonds are changing how people use jewellery. When the same budget can accommodate a larger centre stone, more diamonds or a piece that once seemed out of reach, diamond jewellery can become part of everyday dressing, personal rewards and more adventurous design. Buyers who value natural origins and rarity continue to have their own reasons for choosing natural diamonds.
At RAGAZZA, we believe lab-grown diamonds have established a lasting place in jewellery. Their future will develop along different paths, shaped by purpose, culture, budget and taste. For one person, they may make a first piece of diamond jewellery possible. For another, they belong in an engagement ring or an ambitious bespoke creation. Understanding these needs helps explain where the market is heading.
Different diamond shapes and sizes create different possibilities for jewellery design. RAGAZZA diamond jewellery.
Contents
1 The foundations of a lasting market
A jewellery material earns a lasting place by meeting a continuing need and by developing reliable systems for production, processing and sale. In these respects, lab-grown diamonds have moved well beyond an experimental phase.
The appeal of diamond remains
Lab-grown and natural diamonds have the same carbon crystal structure, with very similar chemical, optical and physical properties. Lab-grown diamonds offer diamond as a material, including its optical character and high resistance to scratching. Their growth histories differ, and professional laboratories can use instruments to identify their origins.[1]
That foundation matters. As long as people appreciate the qualities of diamond in jewellery, there is a continuing reason to use diamonds grown under controlled conditions. When one season’s fashion passes, the material can still find a place in the next collection of rings, bracelets, necklaces or watches.
Commercial scale is established even as growth fluctuates
Figures published by India’s Gem and Jewellery Export Promotion Council, GJEPC, and reported by the India Brand Equity Foundation, IBEF, put India’s polished lab-grown diamond exports at approximately US$685.10 million for April to September 2026, up 17.08% year on year. This measures trade through an important processing and export centre; it is not a measure of global retail sales or market share.[2]
There are also concrete examples in consumer adoption and branded products. A US wedding survey reports widespread use of lab-grown centre stones. In 2023, LVMH jewellery Maison FRED introduced Audacious Blue lab-grown blue diamonds and incorporated them into its Force 10 Duality High Jewelry set. Fine watchmaking has also produced designs using lab-grown diamonds. These different applications support the case for lasting demand.[3][4][5]
We therefore focus on how lab-grown diamonds fit into different kinds of jewellery. Export values, retail spending and unit sales do not necessarily move together, and individual brands may leave the category. Such changes can reshape the industry, but no single measure settles the future of the material.
Lab-grown diamonds can serve several purposes at once. This is a market analysis diagram, not a market-share forecast.
2 Everyday jewellery and the potential for wider access
A diamond-covered bracelet or a substantial pair of earrings once required a budget that put such designs beyond many buyers. Lab-grown diamonds can bring them within reach of more people. They can also make it easier for existing diamond jewellery owners to add another piece for a different occasion or style.
Growth therefore need not come entirely from replacing natural diamonds. Some buyers would otherwise have bought no diamond jewellery at all; others may move from owning one piece to enjoying several. This additional demand is particularly important for everyday wear.
A diamond necklace can become part of everyday dressing. RAGAZZA diamond jewellery.
Markets with tighter budgets have room for wider adoption
Where jewellery spending is constrained by income, but weddings, festivals and gift-giving remain important, more accessible diamond material has the potential to attract new buyers. For many, the practical priority is a beautiful, durable piece with clearly described materials.
This is our assessment of demand, rather than a fixed forecast. Actual development depends on local retail channels, consumer understanding, after-sales support and trust. A country that produces diamonds is not necessarily the country with the highest domestic retail adoption. These factors need to be considered separately.
Mature markets can also support everyday diamond jewellery. VRAI, for example, has developed product lines spanning lab-grown diamond tennis bracelets and platinum engagement rings. The same diamond material can serve daily wear and major life milestones, demonstrating that these uses are not confined to lower-income markets.[12]
Some simulant demand may move towards diamond
As lab-grown diamonds become easier to afford, buyers considering moissanite or cubic zirconia, commonly called CZ, gain another option. Whether they switch depends on how much they value diamond as a material and whether the finished jewellery remains within their budget.
Moissanite, CZ and diamond differ in composition and optical behaviour. Moissanite, for example, has stronger dispersion and can produce pronounced coloured fire; diamond has its own pattern of flashes and greater resistance to scratching.[6] Lab-grown diamonds offer a more accessible route for people who want diamond jewellery. Those who prefer another gemstone’s appearance or a lower price still have reasons to choose it.
Over time, we expect lab-grown diamonds to be used more in some everyday and fashion jewellery, while also attracting some demand previously met by simulants. Their eventual share will depend on design, metal, workmanship and the final price of the piece, as well as the stone itself.
3 Engagement and milestone jewellery will follow different preferences
An engagement ring carries meanings beyond its material. Some people value a diamond’s natural history and rarity. Others place more weight on proportions on the hand, sparkle, design and how the purchase fits into their life together. These preferences can coexist within the same country and income group.
Engagement ring adoption reported in The Knot’s 2026 study. Respondents were US couples married in 2025; the findings do not describe the global diamond market.[3]
The Knot’s Real Weddings Study, published in February 2026, collected self-reported responses from 10,474 US couples married in 2025, recruited from The Knot or WeddingWire membership. The study reports that 61% of engagement rings featured lab-grown centre stones.[3] It illustrates that lab-grown diamonds can become widely adopted for engagement rings even in a mature, relatively affluent market.
Falling prices can produce different responses
For buyers primarily interested in wearing a meaningful piece, a lower price can create more design flexibility. The same budget may allow a better-proportioned centre stone, more carefully chosen accent diamonds or greater attention to the setting and bespoke details. The meaning of a proposal can be carried by the couple’s understanding and the piece itself.
Other buyers connect an engagement diamond with scarcity, resale expectations or social symbolism. Greater availability may reduce the appeal for this group. In families or communities that place particular importance on natural origins, a natural diamond may continue to fit their expectations more closely.
Lab-grown engagement ring adoption may therefore keep rising in some markets while encountering resistance in other segments. Dividing the world into affluent markets that buy natural and other markets that buy lab-grown overlooks differences in culture, brand education, generations and personal preferences.
For anyone planning a proposal, understanding a partner’s feelings about diamond origin is more useful than letting a market trend make the decision. For considerations around wear, budget and future resale, see Lab-Grown Diamond Pros and Cons.
4 High jewellery and ambitious bespoke designs will open new uses
Lab-grown diamonds can create room in a materials budget and allow designers to use diamond more ambitiously. A piece requiring many matched stones, unusual shapes or a large centre diamond may otherwise need to be scaled back. Greater choice can help preserve the intended silhouette and visual impact.
Different settings and outlines give diamonds distinct jewellery expressions. RAGAZZA jewellery.
Brands are incorporating lab-grown diamonds into their design language
Brand and example | What the brand has done | What it demonstrates |
|---|---|---|
TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma | Created a crown from a lab-grown diamond and used a polycrystalline lab-grown diamond dial.[5] | Diamond can become part of a specialised component or form, beyond conventional accent stones. |
Breitling Origins | Says it is transitioning to lab-grown diamonds for all new main collection products, alongside documented sourcing.[7] | Fine watchmaking can combine a material policy with supply-chain management. |
Swarovski Created Diamonds | Its official timeline lists Galaxy in 2023, Eternity in 2024 and Octagon in 2025.[8] | A brand can develop successive collections and build a distinct diamond jewellery line. |
These examples show that high-end applications of lab-grown diamonds are already real. They do not mean every luxury brand will follow the same path. Some may introduce a collection or develop a separate positioning; others will continue to focus on natural diamonds.
Matching stones and workmanship remain demanding
The quality of a diamond-covered necklace depends on the complete result. Stone colour, size and cut need to work together. Settings must be secure while allowing movement and comfort. Metal structure, finishing, the reverse of the piece and the clasp all contribute to its quality.
The same applies to coloured diamond jewellery. Stones within one colour grade can still differ in hue, tone and colour distribution. Creating a harmonious group requires physical matching and an assessment of the whole piece; matching the wording on reports is only part of the work.
We see ambitious bespoke commissions, evening jewellery and strongly individual designs as promising directions. For clients who can afford natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds may offer another creative choice. Existing brand examples establish that such products can be realised; the scale of future demand will need to be tested through time and sales.
5 How the natural diamond market may reposition
When buyers primarily want size, appearance and wearability, without a strong preference for natural origin, lab-grown diamonds create direct competition. Common natural diamond specifications that are easy to compare are particularly exposed to this choice between budget and visual impact.
The natural diamond market also includes buyers interested in geological history, individual provenance, rare colours and exceptional sizes. Producing a similar appearance in a laboratory does not reproduce all the characteristics these buyers seek.
Exceptional natural diamonds and ordinary commercial specifications differ
Sotheby’s records, for example, show that The Mediterranean Blue, a 10.03-carat natural Fancy Vivid Blue diamond, sold for approximately CHF17.9 million in May 2025. Such exceptional combinations of natural colour and size continue to attract a distinct collecting audience.[9]
A major auction result cannot establish the resale performance of an ordinary natural diamond. Natural origin does not automatically produce appreciation. Actual prices depend on individual quality, demand, transaction channels and timing. Truly rare natural diamonds and the specifications most often sold in everyday retail need to be understood separately.
Our view is that some demand driven mainly by appearance and budget will move towards lab-grown diamonds. Natural diamonds will need to communicate their origin, individual characteristics and the value of the finished piece more clearly. The two categories will influence each other and can coexist within one person’s jewellery collection.
6 Design, quality and trust will matter more in the next stage
As lab-grown diamonds become more widespread, simply using them will do less to distinguish a piece. Material selection, convincing design, long-term wearability and a brand’s willingness to take responsibility for what it delivers will become more important.
Prices will shape the market alongside the value of the finished piece
Lab-grown diamond prices have undergone substantial adjustment. In May 2025, De Beers announced its intention to close Lightbox and refocus its jewellery resources on natural diamonds, taking a different direction from brands expanding their lab-grown collections.[10] A material can have lasting demand while individual brand positions and business models still face a market test.
Loose diamond prices may continue to adjust with supply, technology and demand, although the timing and direction cannot be predicted precisely. A finished piece also includes precious metal, design, stone matching, setting, quality checks and after-sales service. A decline in loose stone prices does not mean every finished piece will fall by the same proportion.
For consumers, a sound basis for buying is to enjoy the piece and intend to wear it, while understanding potential resale discounts and limitations on finding a buyer. Treating lab-grown diamonds as a guaranteed way to preserve or increase capital sets an expectation beyond their main current use.
Diamond inspection and craft work require care and attention. AI workshop scene illustration.
Identification and clear disclosure will be basic requirements
Natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds and simulants should be clearly identified at the point of sale. Product information, laboratory documents and the delivered stone should agree. Professional identification technology will continue to develop; a visual impression or a sales assurance that two stones look the same is insufficient.
Assessment systems also change. For example, GIA introduced Premium and Standard overall quality descriptions for its D-to-Z lab-grown diamond assessment service from October 2025.[11] The terminology differs from that used by some other laboratories. Understanding a document’s scope and version is more useful than relying on a name alone. See Lab-Grown Diamond Reports Explained for further context.
A responsible industry depends on the whole chain
Lab-grown diamonds remove diamond mining from their production route. Electricity use, factory safety, cutting and polishing conditions, supplier management and honest retailing still need to be assessed. As brand trust becomes more important, these issues require specific, supportable information.
Energy and carbon claims should identify the factory, processes, boundaries and supporting evidence to which they apply. Transaction records help verify the movement of goods, but paperwork alone does not establish responsible conduct at every stage. Read The Environmental Impact of Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds and Blood Diamonds and the Standards for Responsible Diamonds for more detail.
Clear explanations of materials, quality and after-sales arrangements help build long-term trust. A RAGAZZA showroom.
The choices we are making at RAGAZZA
We value lab-grown diamonds because they allow more people to own diamond jewellery and give high-quality pieces greater design freedom. As the material becomes more available, brands have more reason to invest in selecting stones, matching them, workmanship and delivery. These are the areas in which we intend to keep investing.
Our selection considers optical performance, transparency and overall appearance, excluding milky or hazy diamonds that compromise transparency and sparkle. For coloured diamonds, we prioritise harmonious stones whose colours and grading ranges correspond with those found in natural coloured diamonds, supporting the fine-jewellery character we seek. For the optical qualities involved, see How Cut, Fire and Clarity Affect Diamond Sparkle.
We also disclose lab-grown origin and use supplier identity checks, invoices and verifiable digital transaction records. These measures provide a basis for purchasing controls and enquiries. Responsibility for a piece also includes quality inspection, accurate explanations and after-sales handling.
The future of lab-grown diamonds will be built through pieces that people enjoy and wear. That can mean a first personal diamond purchase, an engagement ring or a carefully developed bespoke creation. We believe these different needs provide a lasting place for lab-grown diamonds in the world of jewellery.
7 Frequently asked questions
Q: Will lab-grown diamonds completely replace natural diamonds?
A: We expect them to coexist over the long term. Lab-grown diamonds appeal to buyers focused on appearance, wearing enjoyment and budget. Buyers who value natural history, rare natural colours or collecting stories have different priorities. Some common natural diamond specifications face more direct competition, but the whole natural diamond market does not share one outlook.
Q: Will lab-grown diamond prices keep falling?
A: Further adjustments are possible. Their scale and timing depend on supply, quality, technology and demand, so a fixed prediction would be unreliable. When comparing finished jewellery, consider precious metals, design, setting and after-sales support as well. Choosing a piece you like, for a clear purpose and within an affordable budget, is more practical than waiting for an unknowable lowest price.
Q: What should a lab-grown diamond mean when planning a proposal?
A: Start by understanding whether your partner values natural origin and how they feel about size, design and the overall budget. Lab-grown diamonds offer flexibility; natural diamonds have their geological history and origins. The ring’s meaning should rest on a shared understanding of the materials and the choice, with diamond origin described honestly.
Q: Why might a high-budget bespoke piece use lab-grown diamonds?
A: They can provide more options for a large centre stone, many matched accents or an unusual form. When the budget can support the complete design, the silhouette and visual effect have more room to develop. The final quality still depends on matching, structure, setting, finishing and comfort, rather than growth method alone.
Q: What do brands and after-sales service contribute as lab-grown diamonds become common?
A: A brand must put its promises into practice: checking materials and documents, inspecting transparency and cut performance, matching stones, ensuring sound settings and explaining care and repair arrangements. For jewellery intended to be worn for years, these tasks directly affect the piece received and its long-term use. They provide concrete grounds for assessing trust.
8 References
Sources checked on 24 October 2026. Brand examples refer to official brand information. Our views on future demand are analysis, rather than fixed growth-rate or price forecasts.
Crystal structure, material properties and professional identification.
India’s polished lab-grown diamond exports for April–September 2026. GJEPC release dated 14 October 2026; IBEF report dated 15 October 2026.
Published 18 February 2026; self-reported responses from 10,474 US couples married in 2025, recruited from The Knot or WeddingWire membership.
Official announcement dated 26 September 2023. Force 10 Duality combines lab-grown blue diamonds with natural white diamonds.
Lab-grown diamond crown and polycrystalline dial; technical article dated 29 July 2024.
Composition, optical behaviour and hardness of moissanite and CZ.
The brand’s own materials and sourcing policy. Its website describes a transition across all new main collection products.
Official collection timeline for 2023–2025.
The Mediterranean Blue: 10.03 carats, natural Fancy Vivid Blue, and its May 2025 auction result.
Official announcement dated 8 May 2025, cited for the strategy change it announced.
Announced 26 August 2025; revised D-to-Z assessment service introduced from 1 October 2025.
Official product and collection pages. The tennis bracelet uses 14K gold; the engagement collection includes platinum.
