The latest BriteCo Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Price Index 2026 reveals a historic shift in the U.S. engagement‑ring market. For the first time, lab‑grown diamonds accounted for a majority of newly appraised rings, reaching 51% in the first half of 2026. The index, compiled from real appraisals recorded between January 2019 and June 2026 across all 50 states and Washington, D.C., provides a data‑driven look at pricing, metal preferences, and stone size trends.
Growth of lab‑grown diamonds
Lab‑grown adoption has risen steadily each year, climbing from just 6% of engagement rings in 2019 to 47% in 2025 and now surpassing the halfway mark. The increase reflects falling prices for lab‑grown stones: the median sales price per carat dropped from $4,622 in 2019 to $2,057 in 2025. By contrast, natural‑diamond prices rose, with the median carat price at $8,428 in 2025, up from $6,237 in 2019.
Price gap between natural and lab‑grown stones
The divergent price paths have created two distinct market segments. A median natural‑diamond engagement ring sold for $12,961 in 2025, while a comparable lab‑grown ring fetched $4,557. This price differential gives consumers a broader range of options, especially as the median carat weight of lab‑grown center stones doubled from 1.01 carats in 2019 to 2.0 carats in 2025.
Changing metal preferences
Metal choices have shifted alongside stone trends. White gold’s share of jewelry pieces fell from 51% in 2019 to 38% in 2025, allowing yellow gold to take the lead at 39%. Platinum’s share grew modestly from 11% to 16% over the same period.
Watch and other jewelry insights
The index also tracks luxury watches. In 2025, the median watch sales price was $8,442, with a median appraised value of $11,000. Brand performance varied: Rolex watches posted a median sales price of $10,081 and a median appraised value of $13,900. Additional categories such as wedding bands, earrings, bracelets, necklaces, pendants, and colored gemstones received detailed coverage, with wedding bands posting the highest median sales price ($7,252) among gift categories.
Seasonal and regional patterns
December emerged as the strongest month for jewelry shopping across the full‑year data set. State‑by‑state breakdowns highlight regional differences in metal and stone preferences, though the overall national trend points toward continued growth for lab‑grown diamonds through the 2028 projection window.
What this means for consumers
For couples planning engagements, the expanding availability of larger, more affordable lab‑grown diamonds offers a compelling alternative to traditional natural stones. At the same time, those who value the rarity and heritage of natural diamonds can expect higher price points but also a stable market supported by strong demand.
All figures are drawn from anonymized appraisals using BriteCo’s proprietary tools, ensuring the data reflects real market transactions rather than survey speculation. The index will be updated annually, providing ongoing insight into the evolving jewelry landscape.
Original reporting: KRDO (Colorado Springs metro) — read the source article.
