I’ll be presenting State of the Market at the Antwerp Diamond Bourse on May 7, 2026, and at JCK Las Vegas on May 29. In these sessions, I’ll take a close look at where the global diamond market stands today—sharing the latest data and insights, highlighting the key trends shaping the months ahead, and offering a realistic view of what to expect going forward. See you there.
Diamond Market Activity and Analysis
All About the Diamond Market
The diamond market explained. Using our research, detailed data, and knowledge of the diamond industry, we put it in context with clarity.
What is the Diamond Market?
It is the collective set of activities that result in a piece of jewelry set with a diamond adorning a person. It covers a wide range of activities, and requires a wide range of disciplines to continue and develop. And yet, it is a relatively small industry that generates less than $100 billion in global retail sales.
Why is There a Diamond Market?
It is human nature to desire to adorn jewelry. Diamonds have succeeded to catch the attention of many thanks to their exceptional beauty, but there is more to this picture. The successful use of marketing since the early 1940s has had a large contribution.
Since the dawn of humanity, people have sought to adorn themselves. The desire to look good and decorate ourselves is set deep into our DNA. Be it a simple string of small shells or flowers, or an elaborate crown full of details and complex workmanship, we want it.
Of all the components that can be set in a decoration, diamonds reign supreme. Thanks to their sparkle, shine, rarity, and overall beauty, diamonds have always been coveted. It is that desire that the diamond market serves. It is the reason that a multi-billion dollar exits – to serve a human desire.
What Are the Components of the Diamond Market?
The foundation of the market comprises:
- Exploration
- Mining
- Rough diamond sales
- Diamond polishing
- Polished diamond wholesaling
- Jewelry making
- Retailing
- Consumer demand
For a deeper look into this topic, please see below:
LGD Wholesale Price List Down 14%: A Q1 2026 Roundup
The Q1 2026 Lab-Grown Diamond Wholesale Price List is in, and it points to a further 14% decline in LGD prices. In this quarterly roundup, we break down what’s driving the continued slide, from soft trading activity to mounting inventory pressures, and what it means across the pipeline. We also flag the launch of the Diamond Dudes podcast for a more informal read of the same market shifts.
On Why to Introduce Diamond Traceability
12 reasons why diamond traceability is not a waste of time or money but an important evolution. Diamond analyst Edahn Golan breaks it down.
Israel’s Diamond Financing Sinks to $0.5 Bln
Bank financing for Israel’s diamond industry has plummeted to $508 million in 2024, a historic low. The Israeli diamond center is experiencing a protracted decline in market activity, resulting in diminished financing.
Diamond Analytics Forecast: When Will Lab-Grown Diamond Sales Be the Majority?
At some point, more lab-grown diamonds will be sold than naturals. Natural diamonds are a finite resource, and over time, their supply will dwindle. Lab-grown diamonds are factory made, and the raw materials for producing them are nearly infinite. Lab-grown diamonds sales will eventually outpace naturals. The question is not if but when this will happen.
Lockdown-Free Gen Z Spent Nearly 4 Times More on Jewelry in 2021
Post COVID, Gen Zs nearly quadrupled their spend on jewelry in 2021. Those residing outside urban areas and, for the first time, Americans that identify as Asians, were top spenders on jewelry in 2021. These three demographics shaped jewelry demand across the US.
Jewelry Demand Sinks 11% in October, But Do Not Fret!
The annual forecast with the monthly analysis: Most jewelry retail sales figures were in the red in October on a year-over-year basis. However, US jewelry demand is still relatively high, reflecting ongoing elevated consumer interest in the category.
The Lab-Grown Diamond Contradiction
The lab-grown diamond contradiction. Demand is rising, but prices are falling. They are hot in the US, but not sweeping the rest of the world. It’s a technologically-driven product catering to a young crowd and striving to follow in the footsteps of a centuries-old product, while enthusiastically adopting many of its ills.
These are the issues, with figures and findings that support this view.
How Much Jewelry was Sold? A Massive $11.5B Less Then Believed
How much jewelry sold in the US is a crucial question. It impacts planning and financing. Revised US government estimates just shaved off $11.5 billion worth of sales. No small matter. Here are the figures, plus a forecast for 2022.
Lab Grown: All Fears Materialized
In 2018, De Beers launched Lightbox Jewelry, a lab-grown-set jewelry collection with an unstated primary goal of disrupting the lab-grown market through devaluation and separation. Divide and conquer is an age-old battle strategy, but in this case, it didn’t work as well as hoped for. Surprisingly, not only is the natural diamond industry seeing its fears materialize. So also is the lab-grown industry. Following is the sum of all their fears.
