Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Popular?
Are Lab-Grown Diamonds Popular? 2026 Engagement Ring Trends and Statistics
Lab-grown diamonds have become the leading choice for engagement ring center stones among couples surveyed by The Knot. According to The Knot's 2026 Real Weddings Study, 61% of engagement rings purchased featured lab-grown center stones, reflecting a significant shift in how couples shop for diamonds.
Just a few years ago, natural diamonds dominated the engagement ring market. Today, lab-grown diamonds account for a majority of center stones in this national study.
At Mervis Diamond Importers, we help couples throughout Washington, DC, Maryland, and Northern Virginia explore both natural and lab-grown diamonds. With GIA-trained specialists, three local showrooms, and generations of diamond expertise, our team understands that changing trends are only part of the engagement ring shopping experience.
Here's what the latest research reveals about the growing popularity of lab-grown diamonds and what these changes mean for today's shoppers.
How Popular Are Lab-Grown Diamonds in 2026?
Lab-grown diamonds have experienced substantial growth in the engagement ring market.
The Knot's 2026 Real Weddings Study reports that 61% of engagement ring purchases included a lab-grown center stone, compared with just 12% of engagement rings reported in its 2019 data.
This represents a major change in consumer purchasing behavior over a relatively short period.
Sources: The Knot's engagement and proposal research and 2026 Real Weddings Study. The 2026 study reports recent wedding and engagement purchases rather than a full-year 2026 retail sales total.
The data shows that lab-grown diamonds are no longer a niche alternative. They have become a mainstream engagement ring option.
However, these percentages represent The Knot's surveyed couples, not a census of every diamond sold in the United States.
Sources:
Why Have Lab-Grown Diamonds Become So Popular?
Price is one of the strongest reasons lab-grown diamonds have gained market share.
Lab-grown diamonds generally cost substantially less than natural diamonds with comparable characteristics, making larger center stones accessible to more couples.
But the latest research suggests that affordability is not the only factor.
According to The Knot's 2026 study, 40% of couples specifically considered having a lab-grown center stone important.
That finding suggests lab-grown diamonds are increasingly becoming an intentional preference rather than simply a less expensive alternative.
Couples are also placing greater emphasis on personalization, ring design, and the overall appearance of their engagement rings.
At Mervis, our specialists help customers evaluate how different diamond shapes, sizes, and settings contribute to the finished design.
Are Couples Buying Larger Lab-Grown Diamonds?
The latest engagement ring statistics reveal a noticeable difference in average center stone size.
According to The Knot's 2026 study:
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The average lab-grown center stone was 2.0 carats.
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The average natural diamond center stone was 1.6 carats.
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The average overall engagement ring center stone weight was 1.9 carats.
This means the average lab-grown center stone in the study was 25% larger by carat weight than the average natural diamond center stone.
Carat weight measures a diamond's weight, not its visible dimensions. Still, the difference helps illustrate how lab-grown diamonds have influenced engagement ring shopping.
The study also reported average engagement ring spending of $4,300 for rings with lab-grown center stones and $7,000 for those with natural diamond center stones.
These figures describe different groups of purchases, not prices for otherwise identical diamonds.
At Mervis, couples can explore available diamonds through our online diamond search or compare options with a diamond specialist in person.
Which Diamond Shapes Are Most Popular in 2026?
The Knot's 2026 research identifies round and oval diamonds as the two leading engagement ring shapes.
Oval diamonds have become particularly prominent, nearly matching round diamonds in popularity.
The Knot also identifies oval as the typical shape among lab-grown center stones in its comparison of natural and lab-grown purchases.
For couples who want an elongated center stone, oval diamonds offer a distinctive appearance that works with solitaire, hidden halo, and other engagement ring settings.
Mervis offers a selection of engagement ring designs and custom options that allow customers to incorporate their preferred diamond shape into a personalized ring.
Explore our engagement ring collection for inspiration.
Are Natural Diamonds Still Popular?
Natural diamonds remain an important part of the engagement ring market, even as lab-grown diamonds account for a growing share of purchases.
The two categories appeal to different consumer preferences.
Natural diamonds continue to attract customers who value geological origin, rarity, and the significance of a naturally formed gemstone.
Lab-grown diamonds have become especially popular among shoppers focused on center stone size, appearance, and initial purchase price.
The growth of lab-grown diamonds does not mean natural diamonds have lost their appeal. Instead, shoppers now have two established categories to consider.
At Mervis, we believe customers benefit from seeing both options before making an important purchase.
Our GIA-trained specialists can explain diamond origin, quality characteristics, and independent laboratory documentation without making assumptions about which category a customer should prefer.
What Are Customers Choosing at Mervis Diamond Importers?
National engagement ring statistics provide useful context, but local purchasing trends can tell a more specific story.
At Mervis Diamond Importers, we serve customers throughout Washington, DC, Rockville, and Tysons, helping couples compare natural and lab-grown diamonds based on their design preferences and budgets.
Mervis has built its reputation on personal diamond education, custom design, and long-term customer relationships. Our GIA-trained specialists help customers understand what they're purchasing and how their chosen diamond fits their engagement ring design.
With three showrooms in Washington, DC, Rockville, Maryland, and Tysons, Virginia, customers can explore both diamond categories in person and book a consultation with a specific specialist.
Will Lab-Grown Diamonds Continue to Be Popular?
Current research suggests lab-grown diamonds have established a lasting place in the engagement ring market.
The growth from 12% of engagement rings in The Knot's 2019 data to 61% in its latest study is too substantial to dismiss as a short-lived fashion trend.
However, continued popularity does not guarantee that lab-grown diamond prices will remain stable or that market share will continue increasing at the same rate.
Production capacity, technology, consumer preferences, and retail pricing will continue to influence the category.
Natural diamonds will also remain relevant to shoppers who value their origin and rarity.
Our expectation is that both natural and lab-grown diamonds will remain meaningful options, with consumers becoming increasingly informed about the differences.
Frequently Asked Questions About Lab-Grown Diamond Popularity
What percentage of engagement rings have lab-grown diamonds?
According to The Knot's 2026 Real Weddings Study, 61% of engagement ring purchases among surveyed couples featured lab-grown center stones.
Are lab-grown diamonds more popular than natural diamonds?
Lab-grown diamonds represented a majority of engagement ring center stones in The Knot's latest study. That does not necessarily mean they represent the majority of diamond sales across every jewelry category or retailer.
What is the most popular lab-grown diamond shape?
The Knot's 2026 study identifies oval as the typical shape for lab-grown engagement ring center stones. Across engagement rings overall, round diamonds led at 26%, followed closely by oval diamonds at 25%.
Are lab-grown diamonds just a passing trend?
Lab-grown diamonds have moved from a relatively small share of engagement rings in 2019 to a majority share in The Knot's latest research. That sustained growth indicates they have become an established option, although future purchasing patterns may change.
Explore Natural and Lab-Grown Diamonds at Mervis
Lab-grown diamonds have reshaped the engagement ring market, giving couples more choices in center stone size, style, and price.
At Mervis Diamond Importers, we combine generations of diamond expertise with personalized service to help customers navigate these choices.
Our GIA-trained specialists can help you compare natural and lab-grown diamonds, explore custom engagement ring designs, and understand the options available within your budget.
Visit Mervis in Washington, DC, Rockville, or Tysons to experience our diamond selection and receive guidance from a specialist you can choose by name.
Schedule your appointment at Mervis Diamond Importers to explore natural and lab-grown diamonds in person.