Lucy's Diamond Insights
Deep market analysis, price trends, and diamond buying intelligence from Lucy, our resident diamond market analyst.
Subscribe via RSSNatural Diamonds Slid Again and Nobody Seemed to Notice
Natural diamond prices fell 5.6% this week across 8.4 million listings while lab-grown climbed 5%. Lab-grown round supply surged up to 826% and cross-retailer spreads on rounds exceeded 240%. Two markets moving in opposite directions, with the gap between them wider than ever.
1.6 Million Matched Diamonds and the Cross-Retailer Price Gap
More than half of all certified diamonds online are listed by multiple retailers at different prices. We matched over five million stones across 110+ retailers and measured the gaps. The spreads are bigger than most buyers expect, especially on lab-grown.
Natural Diamonds Fell 6% While Nobody Was Looking
Natural diamonds fell 5.7% in seven days, with some categories plunging more than 80%. Lab-grown prices bounced 9% but cross-retailer spreads now exceed 100% in key shapes. These opportunities are specific and won't last.
Why Your James Allen Diamond Is Probably Also at Three Other Stores
More than half the certified diamonds in our index appear at two or more retailers simultaneously. We used James Allen as a worked example to show what shared inventory means for the most searched online diamond store and how cross-retailer matching can surface the same stone at a lower price.
Same Diamond, Different Prices
More than half the certified diamonds sold online appear at two or more retailers simultaneously. We fingerprint 9.3 million unique stones across 110+ stores to show you the real price spread on the exact diamond you're considering.
Natural Diamonds Dropped 9% and Lab-Grown Didn't Follow
Natural diamond prices fell 9% this week while lab-grown edged up 1.3%. Lab-grown round supply surged 753%, natural pear prices above 2ct dropped nearly 50%, and cross-retailer spreads on lab-grown pears topped 100%.
Fancy Cut Pricing Reality for Pear, Marquise, Heart, Cushion, and Radiant
Radiant lab-grown diamonds trade at an 85.9% discount to natural. Hearts sit at just 75.8%. Five fancy shapes, five entirely different pricing stories for buyers willing to look past the round brilliant.
Lab-Grown Ovals Just Doubled in Price and Most Buyers Haven't Noticed
Lab-grown oval diamonds in the 1.00 to 1.24 carat range at J to K colour and I clarity have more than doubled in price over thirty days, hitting a median of $2,922. Supply surged 127.8% in the same period. That tension can't last, and buyers who chase this spike are going to regret it.
Natural Diamonds Just Got a Lot Cheaper This Week
Natural diamond prices dropped 6.4% this week while lab-grown ticked up 5.6%. Some categories fell over 40%, comparison shopping saves up to 61% on lab-grown rounds, and a handful of exceptional listings are priced well below market. This week's data favours buyers willing to act.
Natural Falls 6% While Lab-Grown Stages a Rebound
Natural diamonds fell 6.4% this week while lab-grown climbed 5.6%, a combined 12 point divergence across nearly 22 million listings. Natural pears and cushions saw the steepest declines, but supply surges in popular categories could push prices lower still.
Why Lab-Grown Wins Bigger on Emerald and Asscher Step Cuts
Natural step cuts carry the steepest clarity premiums in the diamond market, and lab-grown erases them. We break down the emerald and asscher data, including why asscher's $750 per carat lab-grown median is an anomaly worth watching.
Lab-Grown Ovals Just Doubled in Price and You Should Be Suspicious
Lab-grown oval prices in the 1 to 1.25 carat range spiked over 84% in seven days, driven by supply composition shifts rather than genuine demand. The smarter play is stepping up in quality or waiting for the correction.