Are lab-grown diamonds real?

Yes. Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical to mined diamonds and are increasingly popular because they offer larger sizes at lower prices. Surveys and market reports show rapid growth in lab-grown center stones for engagement rings. For example, one 2023–2024 industry report found that about 46% of engagement ring center stones were lab-grown in 2023, up sharply since 2019. Source [oai_citation:0‡Rapaport](https://rapaport.com/news/lab-grown-demand-boosts-average-engagement-ring-size)

Major media and buying-guide outlets also note the shift toward lab-grown for value, ethics, and size. The Knot and The Wall Street Journal both highlight lower cost and bigger sizes as key drivers. [oai_citation:1‡The Knot](https://www.theknot.com/content/how-much-to-spend-on-engagement-ring)

How common are non-diamond engagement rings?

Non-diamond center stones remain a minority overall, but they are meaningful. The Knot reports that roughly 10% of engagement rings feature a non-diamond center stone. Within that non-diamond subset, moissanite accounts for about 24%. [oai_citation:2‡The Knot](https://www.theknot.com/content/the-knot-engagement-ring-stats)

Earlier coverage from the trade press showed similar patterns, with moissanite around 19% of non-diamond choices in prior years. Source [oai_citation:3‡JCK](https://www.jckonline.com/editorial-article/10-useful-stats-knots-engagement)

Moissanite vs diamond in a sentence

Moissanite can look similar to diamond but is a different material with distinct optical properties and a different resale profile. Overview. [oai_citation:4‡Estate Diamond Jewelry](https://www.estatediamondjewelry.com/moissanite-vs-diamond/?srsltid=AfmBOoo3SOJ1M0A7gA0-_IA9or7CrT9ieeCkbdpISe_vX52pPV9APiLh)

Market size snapshot

• Global wedding ring market: about $97.3B in 2024, with growth projected into the 2030s. Global Market Insights; corroborated by GlobeNewswire and other research publishers. [oai_citation:5‡Global Market Insights Inc.](https://www.gminsights.com/industry-analysis/wedding-ring-market)
• Global engagement ring market: about $79B in 2024, projected to grow at roughly mid-single-digit CAGR through 2033. Source. [oai_citation:6‡Business Research Insights](https://www.businessresearchinsights.com/market-reports/engagement-ring-market-121567)
• U.S. engagement ring market: about $12.5B in 2025. Source. [oai_citation:7‡Carat Trade](https://www.carattrade.com/blog/2025-jewelry-industry-statistics-global-us-trends)

So how much of the U.S. $12.5B is non-diamond?

No single source breaks out the exact dollar share for non-diamond rings. However, if non-diamond center stones are roughly 10% of rings by unit share, and if spend tracks roughly with units, that implies a directional range of $1.25B on a $12.5B market. If non-diamond share were closer to 20% in certain segments, the spend could approach $2.5B. This is an estimate only, provided for context. Sources on non-diamond share: The Knot. U.S. market size: CaratTrade. [oai_citation:8‡The Knot](https://www.theknot.com/content/the-knot-engagement-ring-stats)

Moissanite market note

Global moissanite market estimates vary widely by publisher, but multiple firms track steady growth from a small base. Treat point estimates with caution and compare methodologies. Example coverage: Cognitive Market Research. [oai_citation:9‡Cognitive Market Research](https://www.cognitivemarketresearch.com/moissanite-market-report)

What this means for shoppers

• Lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds. They deliver the same sparkle and structure, often at a lower price per carat. Source. [oai_citation:10‡Rapaport](https://rapaport.com/news/lab-grown-demand-boosts-average-engagement-ring-size)
• Non-diamond options exist. About 1 in 10 rings feature a non-diamond center stone. Moissanite is the leading choice within this group. Source. [oai_citation:11‡The Knot](https://www.theknot.com/content/the-knot-engagement-ring-stats)
• Average spends evolve. As lab-grown adoption rises, consumers can choose larger looks without overspending. The Knot; WSJ. [oai_citation:12‡The Knot](https://www.theknot.com/content/how-much-to-spend-on-engagement-ring)

Shop Future Jewellery

Ready to compare mined, lab-grown, and moissanite side by side? Explore our 3 carat lab-grown diamond rings, colored diamond styles, and custom designs. If you want guidance on diamond vs moissanite vs lab-grown, our team will help you choose what fits your style, values, and budget.