Lab-grown diamonds have gone from a fraction of a percent of sales to a major force in the diamond market — and the economics explain why.
Lab-grown diamonds are reshaping the market by capturing a rapidly growing share of diamond sales, especially in engagement rings. Their prices have fallen and stabilized as production scaled up, creating a clear split between two categories — affordable lab-grown stones and rarer mined diamonds. The result is more value and choice for buyers. Browse Rêve Diamonds' lab-grown diamonds.
Rapid Growth in Market Share
A decade ago, lab-grown diamonds were a curiosity. Today they account for a substantial and rising portion of diamond engagement-ring sales. Improvements in HPHT and CVD production dramatically increased supply, and as shoppers realized the stones were identical in look and durability, demand followed. Explore ready-to-shop designs among our engagement rings.
How Pricing Has Changed
- Two distinct categories: lab-grown and mined diamonds are now priced separately, with lab-grown typically 60–85% cheaper for the same specification.
- Falling then stabilizing: as production scaled, lab-grown prices dropped and have since leveled off.
- More diamond per dollar: the same budget stretches to a larger or cleaner stone. See the numbers in our price comparison.
Who Is Driving the Shift
Younger buyers in particular have embraced lab-grown diamonds, drawn by value, transparency, and sustainability. For many couples, being able to afford a larger center stone — or to spend less overall — is decisive. Our guide to lab-grown affordability breaks down exactly where the savings come from.
What It Means for the Future
Rather than replacing mined diamonds outright, lab-grown stones have expanded the overall market by welcoming buyers who might otherwise have chosen a different gem or a smaller stone. For a deeper look, read our discussion of whether lab-grown diamonds are the future of the diamond industry, and brush up on grading in our diamond education hub.
Frequently Asked Questions
What share of the market is lab-grown? It varies by region and category, but lab-grown diamonds have grown especially fast in engagement rings and now represent a significant share of sales.
Will lab-grown prices keep falling? Prices dropped sharply as supply scaled and have largely stabilized. Cut quality and certification remain the biggest drivers of price today.
Do lab-grown and mined diamonds compete directly? They serve overlapping but distinct buyers, and are now treated as separate categories with separate pricing.
