Lab-grown diamonds are putting real pressure on diamond prices, but they are not the only reason the natural-diamond business is struggling. Weaker demand, excess inventory and economic uncertainty are also contributing. For shoppers, the practical takeaway is to compare a specific stone’s price, documented characteristics and origin—not assume either type is automatically a better value or an investment.
How much have lab-grown diamonds changed the market?
The figures below describe different parts of the market: wholesale prices, retail comparisons, jewelry sales and rough diamonds sold into the supply chain. They are not interchangeable price measures.
| Measure | Reported figure | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Lab-grown jewelry-sector wholesale prices | Down 90% since Lightbox launched in 2018, according to De Beers in May 2025. | A company-reported wholesale decline, not a universal index or the discount on every retail stone. |
| Retail price comparison | Lab-grown diamonds may retail for up to 90% less than similar natural diamonds, according to the IMF’s November 2025 Botswana report. | “Up to” is an upper-end comparison; the discount for a particular pair depends on the stones and seller. |
| Share of global diamond jewelry sales | More than one fifth in 2024, according to the IMF report, which attributes the estimate to analyst Paul Zimnisky. | A market-share estimate for jewelry sales, not a forecast or measure of all diamond transactions. |
| De Beers average realised rough-diamond price | $142 per carat in 2025, down 7% from $152, according to Anglo American’s 2025 results reported in 2026. | This is De Beers’ average realised price for rough diamonds. Anglo American separately said its rough-price index, including stock rebalancing, fell 25% year on year. |
Why are natural-diamond prices under pressure?
Lab-grown stones compete for jewelry buyers
Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds grown in a laboratory rather than mined. Their lower retail prices give shoppers another option and can reduce what buyers are willing to pay for some natural-diamond jewelry. The IMF linked the shift to renewed competition and changing consumer preferences.
Demand and inventories matter too
The IMF described a downturn after the post-pandemic rebound and record jewelry demand in 2021–22. Its account identifies a global slowdown, especially weak demand in China and the United States, and above-normal inventories in the midstream—the businesses that process and trade diamonds between producers and retailers. When those businesses have stock to sell, they may place fewer new orders, adding pressure to prices.
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Anglo American’s 2026 reporting likewise cited macroeconomic volatility, cautious midstream inventory management and lab-grown-diamond penetration as near-term pressures on rough-diamond demand. It also recorded a $2.3 billion impairment before tax and non-controlling interests, citing factors that included changing customer preferences and rough-diamond oversupply. That company accounting charge is not a direct measure of how much a consumer’s jewelry has lost in value.
What Lightbox’s history does—and does not—show
De Beers launched its Lightbox lab-grown jewelry brand in 2018 with a stated price of $800 per carat. On May 10, 2024, it announced historical Lightbox Standard prices starting at $500 per carat for IJ stones, $600 for GH and $900 for DEF. The announcement specified at least “very good” cut and VS clarity for the lower grades, and “excellent” cut for DEF. These were Lightbox prices announced in 2024, not current market quotes.
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On May 8, 2025, De Beers announced its intention to close Lightbox after reporting the wholesale price decline shown above. The company said it would discuss selling certain assets, including inventory, with potential buyers and continue existing customer support, warranties and after-sales services during the closure process. That announcement described an intended closure and process; it does not by itself establish that the closure was completed.
De Beers is a natural-diamond producer, so its views about the market and the lasting value of natural diamonds should be read as a market participant’s position. Its price disclosures are useful company figures, but they are not an independent index covering every seller or diamond.
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How should buyers compare a lab-grown and a natural diamond?
Start with the purpose of the purchase. If your priority is a larger stone within a set budget, lab-grown options may be worth comparing. If mined origin matters to you, make that preference explicit. The financial choice depends on the particular stones and the price you are asked to pay—not just the category label.
| What to compare | Questions to ask |
|---|---|
| Origin | Is the stone mined or laboratory-grown, and is that origin clearly disclosed in the seller’s documentation? |
| Characteristics and grading | Are carat, cut, color and clarity documented? Who graded the stone, and are you comparing stones described on a consistent basis? |
| Price | Are the stones close in carat, cut, color, clarity and grading basis? Is the quoted price current and specific to this seller and stone? |
| Use and personal preference | Are you choosing for a particular origin, appearance, size, fashion use or personal meaning? |
| Resale expectations | Are you buying for enjoyment rather than relying on a future resale price? The evidence here does not establish a resale value for either specific stone. |
Do not treat a diamond purchase as a dependable way to grow savings. The market figures above describe industry trends, not a future sale price for an individual piece. If resale matters to your decision, ask the seller what documentation and return terms apply, and seek a realistic estimate for the exact item rather than relying on general claims about one category.
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Do lab-grown diamonds have a lower environmental impact?
Origin alone does not settle the question. McKinsey’s 2024 industry analysis estimated that producing a rough lab-grown carat uses about 250 kilowatt-hours of electricity and noted that China and India, major production locations, rely heavily on coal in their electricity grids. That estimate is not a full lifecycle comparison and does not show that every lab-grown diamond has a greater footprint than every mined one.
For an environmental claim to be useful, look for information about the production location, energy source and lifecycle boundary being measured. A broad “ethical” or “sustainable” label without those details is not enough to compare two stones.
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What is the near-term outlook?
In its 2026 reporting, Anglo American described near-term rough-diamond trading conditions as challenging. The company said gradual inventory normalization could support medium-term improvement and forecast stable consumer demand in the United States and India, with a gradual recovery in China if conditions stabilized. Those are company expectations, not confirmed outcomes. They do not establish when prices will recover or whether a particular diamond will hold its value.
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