BriteCo’s Diamond Engagement Ring Buying Trends: Lab-grown vs Natural

This post is sponsored by BriteCo Inc. — BriteCo is a prominent provider of jewelry insurance and appraisal technology in the US. Like PriceScope, BriteCo often receives inquiries about buying engagement rings. BriteCo is able to provide clarity around diamond engagement ring buying patterns and consumer shopping behavior. This article primarily focuses on data findings obtained by BriteCo from 2020 to 2021 using their insurance and appraisal database. BriteCo’s objective is to assist consumers in making an educated decision when shopping for a diamond engagement ring.

How Much Was Spent On Diamond Engagement Rings In 2021?

How Much Was Spent On Diamond Engagement Rings In 2021?In 2021, the average price of a diamond engagement ring increased to $7,011. This is a 6.1% increase over 2020.

How Much Was Spent On Lab-Grown vs Natural Diamond Engagement Rings?

According to BriteCo statistics, the average price of a natural (earth-mined) diamond engagement ring increased from $7,197 in 2020 to $8,053 in 2021, an 11.95% year-on-year rise. In comparison, the average cost of a lab-grown diamond engagement ring increased by 8.6% from $4,037 in 2020 to $4,383 in 2021.

According to Instore magazine’s Big Survey in October 2021, most jewelers now stock lab-grown diamonds and are witnessing an increase in demand.

Lab-Grown Diamonds Growth.

Especially amongst younger consumers. According to BriteCo statistics, lab-grown diamonds boosted their market penetration last year, rising from 18.7% of engagement ring sales in 2020 to 28.4% in 2021.

Popular Diamond Sizes.

According to BriteCo research, the great majority of engagement rings include diamond center stones, with the most popular center stone diamond weights ranging between 1.0 and 1.5-carats. This is hardly surprising given that many engagement ring consumers seek at least 1-carat for their center stone.

The average center stone diamond size (measured in carat weight) increased from 1.20-carats in 2020 to 1.32-carats in 2021.

When comparing the size growth of lab-grown and natural diamonds, the average for lab-grown diamonds climbed from 1.34-carats in 2020 to 1.49-carats in 2021, as the price reduction for lab-grown diamonds increased this year.

In contrast, despite an increase in diamond wholesale costs in the previous year, the average size of natural diamonds climbed from 1.16-carats in 2020 to 1.25-carats in 2021.

Where Do People In The US Spend The Most On All Types Of Engagement Rings?

Where Do People In The US Spend The Most On All Types Of Engagement Rings.

Engagement ring spending is greatest in the Mid-Atlantic area of the US, with an average price of $9,343. In comparison, people who spend the least on an engagement ring live in the West North Central area of the United States, where the average price is $3,831.

What Types Of Engagement Ring Styles Are Most Popular?

Types Of Popular Engagement Ring Styles.

Solitaire and halo engagement ring styles have been the two most popular styles of engagement rings in the last two years (and historically), accounting for more than 40% of engagement ring purchases. Side stone rings, three stone rings, and vintage or classic engagement rings are also trendy.

In 2021, solitaire and custom engagement ring styles were more popular, while side-stone engagement rings got less popular.

Looking at color and clarity in tandem, we can see the most popular combination of the two. in 2021 were:

Diamond Color

Diamond Clarity

GSI1
HSI1
HSI2
GVS2
HVS2

Additional Interesting Findings:

The average carat weight of melee diamonds used in rings is 0.534 carats.

In 2021, the total carat weight of diamonds in an engagement ring was 1.819 carats.

For More Information – Access The Original PDF Report. 

Find Your Perfect Diamond

Shopping for a diamond can be overwhelming. Whether you just started your search or need advice to get you over the finish line, we’re here to help you find your perfect diamond.

Let us walk on this shopping journey with you.  

Get a customized report based on your diamond engagement ring preferences. Try BriteCo’s FREE Personal Engagement Ring Calculator.

Were there any interesting findings that stood out to you? Did you shop for a diamond engagement ring in 2020/ 2021? How was your shopping experience? Share your shopping journey with us – Click the comments button below

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