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.

May 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 →

May 2026 · AI Shopping Study

Research Report

Which AI You Ask Changes What Jewelry Brand You Get Recommended

1,192 scored responses across ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, and Claude. The same query returns structurally different brand lists depending on which model you ask, shaping a consumer's consideration set before they've looked at a single product.

1,192

scored responses

30

queries

10

independent runs

Full findings

Consumer Guide

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. No methodology required.

Read the guide

Price Index

Lab-Grown Diamond Price Index

Monthly benchmark prices across 8 major U.S. online retailers. Published May 21, 2026. Updated every month.

View the index

Market median at 1ct

$628

Price range at 1ct

$290 to $901

Listings analyzed

528,819

Brand 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.

Read the verdict

Best overall

Local jewelers

Best online value

Blue Nile

Best for lab-grown

Ritani

Best budget option

Costco