The Jewelry Market Researched
Independent research and market intelligence
Independent research on the jewelry industry. What retailers charge, what they cover, and what they don't tell you. No sponsorships. No paid placements.
Price Index
Lab-Grown Diamond Price Index
Monthly benchmark prices across 7 major U.S. online retailers. Published June 29, 2026. Updated every month.
Market median at 1ct
$618
Price range at 1ct
$192 to $979
Listings analyzed
283,644
June 2026 · Buyer Protection Study
Policy Audit
What most jewelry retailers don't publish before you pay
We read the fine print across 20 major jewelry retailers so you don't have to. Here's what we found on deposits, warranties, returns, and what happens when something goes wrong.
At most retailers we reviewed, there is no written policy explaining what happens to your deposit if a custom order falls through.
Some of the biggest names in jewelry retail publish no rules at all governing custom order disputes, at any stage of production.
At more than half the retailers we reviewed, your warranty is voided the moment any other jeweler touches your ring.
See who protects buyers →June 2026 · Edition 2 · AI Shopping Study
AI Still Treats a Merged Jewelry Brand as Independent
1,500 AI responses across five sources: ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, and Google AI Overviews. The same query returns structurally different brand lists depending on which AI you ask. The standout this edition: AI still recommends James Allen, the third most-cited brand, as independent, even though it has merged into Blue Nile.
What to do differently when using AI to shop for a ring
Three things that change what you find, and what to look for when the lists disagree (now including Google's answer box). No methodology required.
Read the guideBrand Research
The Best & Worst Engagement Ring Brands in 2026
Independent verdicts on 12 brands, based on real buyer experiences across Reddit communities, not sponsored rankings. Most buyers don't regret the ring. They regret how they bought it.
Best overall
Local jewelers
Best online value
Blue Nile
Best for lab-grown
Ritani
Best budget option
Costco
From Our Research
4-Prong vs 6-Prong Engagement Rings: Which Setting Makes Your Diamond Look Better?
How Custom Rings Are Made | Rings Design Process
Marquise Ring Meaning: Symbolism, History & Spiral Trend
Diamond Cut: The Most Important "C" When Buying a Ring
IGI Lab-Grown Diamond Certification — Rings.com Buyer's Guide
Lab-Grown vs. Natural Diamonds