If you are choosing an engagement ring right now, you are doing so at a turning point for the market. More than half of today's engagement rings are set with a lab-grown diamond, and the couples choosing them are getting bigger, brighter stones, spending less, and putting the difference toward the life they are building together.
Here is what the latest data says about how couples are choosing, and what it means if you are about to buy.
Lab-grown diamonds now lead the engagement ring market
Every year, The Knot surveys thousands of recently married couples in the US about their weddings and engagements. Its 2026 Real Weddings Study, covering more than 10,000 couples who married in 2025, found:
- 61% of engagement rings now feature a lab-grown center stone.
- That share has grown by 239% since 2020.
- 40% of couples said it was specifically important to them that their stone was lab-grown.
- Close to 90% of proposers have the ring ready when they ask.
Put simply, lab-grown has gone from alternative to default in about five years. For many couples it is now a positive preference.
The Juliet Ring: an oval lab-grown diamond on a delicate micro-pavé band.
Bigger stones, smaller bills
The same study put the average center stone at 1.9 carats and the average engagement ring spend at $4,600. Mined diamond rings, meanwhile, showed no increase in stone size over the same period.
That pairing tells the story. Couples are getting more diamond for less money, and they are using the freedom in different ways:
- going up in size, from a classic one carat to closer to two;
- going up in quality, choosing top color and clarity grades;
- keeping the size modest and redirecting budget to the wedding, a honeymoon, or a home.
There is no wrong answer. The point is that the choice is now yours, rather than dictated by what a mined stone would cost.
Why couples are choosing lab-grown
The Knot credits the shift to practical budgeting combined with shifting values, and that matches what we hear from couples:
- It is a real diamond. Chemically and physically identical to a mined diamond, with the same hardness and brilliance.
- Value for what you see. The money goes into the size, quality, and craftsmanship you can actually see on the hand.
- A known origin. The stone is grown in a controlled setting rather than mined.
- Room for design. When the stone costs less, there is more room for a beautiful setting, which is often what makes a ring feel personal.
The most popular engagement ring styles right now
Beyond the stone itself, the data shows some clear style preferences.
Shapes: round and oval, almost neck and neck
According to JCK's report on The Knot's findings, 26% of couples chose a round diamond, with oval close behind at 25%. Round brilliants offer the most sparkle; ovals look larger for their carat weight and elongate the finger. Emerald cuts and other step cuts remain the choice for anyone who wants a cleaner, more architectural look.
A classic round brilliant: the Polaris Ring.
Metal: yellow gold is back
White metals still lead, but their share is falling. 39% of couples chose yellow gold, up 140% in five years, according to the study. Warm gold flatters a bright white diamond and has a vintage-meets-modern feel that suits today's bolder cuts.
The Eternal Oval Ring: an elongated oval solitaire on a polished gold band.
Colorless diamonds first, with sapphire and moissanite leading the alternatives
Colorless diamonds remain the most popular center stone. Among couples who chose something other than a diamond, sapphire and moissanite led the way.
How couples shop for the ring
The research also sheds light on the buying journey itself, which is useful if you are planning a proposal:
- Proposal season is real. Roughly four in ten proposals fall between Thanksgiving and Valentine's Day.
- People start early and buy later. Most proposers begin looking more than six months ahead, then buy closer to the moment. Around three in four spend four months or less on research and purchase.
- It is often a joint decision. Nearly four in five people receiving a ring helped choose it, and one couple in four visited a jeweler together before the proposal.
- Seeing the ring matters. Buyers looked at around 10 rings on average, and more than half said seeing a ring in person was important to them.
That last point matters for anyone buying online. You should never have to guess what you are getting. At Atelier Angelle, every finished piece is filmed in our studio and sent to you before it ships, so you see your exact ring, on the hand, before you say yes to it. You can also request a consultation and we will film the stones you are considering.
What to look for when buying a lab-grown engagement ring
A few simple checks will help you buy with confidence:
- Ask for an independent grading report. For a center stone of one carat or more, look for a report from a recognized lab such as IGI. At Atelier Angelle, each main diamond of one carat or more in a single-stone ring comes with its own IGI report, included in the price.
- Prioritize cut. Cut decides how much a diamond sparkles. A well-cut stone will outshine a larger, poorly cut one.
- Know your color and clarity floor. We work only with D to E color and VS clarity or higher, so every stone looks bright and clean to the eye.
- Check timing. Made-to-order rings take time to craft. Ours are made in 12 to 15 days, so allow for that if you are planning around a date.
- Get the size right. Our Diamond Guide includes an international ring size chart to help.
- Buy for love, not resale. Lab-grown prices have fallen as the technology has matured, so choose the ring for how it looks and what it means, not as an investment.
Frequently asked questions
What percentage of engagement rings are lab-grown?
According to The Knot's 2026 Real Weddings Study, 61% of engagement rings bought by US couples who married in 2025 had a lab-grown center stone.
What is the average carat size for an engagement ring?
The same study put the average center stone at 1.9 carats, with an average engagement ring spend of $4,600.
Are lab-grown diamond engagement rings real diamonds?
Yes. They are chemically, physically, and optically the same as mined diamonds. Only the origin is different.
How long does a made-to-order engagement ring take?
At Atelier Angelle, made-to-order pieces are crafted in 12 to 15 days from approved design, followed by insured delivery.
Find your ring
The engagement ring has been redefined, and couples are leading the change: bigger, brighter, more personal, and chosen together. Whether you love a classic round solitaire or a bold elongated oval, start with our Bridal collection. If you have something unique in mind, our bespoke service will help you design it from scratch.
Source: The Knot 2026 Real Weddings Study (published February 2026), as reported by The Knot Worldwide and JCK.
