The Average Engagement Ring Just Got Cheaper. Here’s What Couples Really Spend Now
A study of more than 10,000 couples found the average engagement ring cost $4,600 in 2025, down from $5,200, as lab-grown diamonds took over. Here’s what that means if you’re thinking about proposing this holiday season.
According to The Knot’s 2026 real weddings study of more than 10,000 couples who married in 2025, as reported by Rapaport, the average engagement ring cost $4,600, down from $5,200 in 2024. Rings with a natural diamond averaged $7,000 and lab-grown rings $4,300, and 61% of couples chose a lab-grown center stone. The bigger lesson: talk about money and preferences before you buy.
- The average engagement ring cost $4,600 in 2025, down from $5,200 in 2024.
- Natural diamond rings averaged $7,000; lab-grown rings averaged $4,300.
- 61% chose a lab-grown center stone, up 239% since 2020.
- Bigger stones, more yellow gold and almost everyone customizing: about 90% personalized their ring.
- The best ring decision starts with an honest money conversation.
With the holidays coming, a lot of people are quietly opening jewelry tabs at midnight and wondering the same thing: how much is a ring supposed to cost?
New data from one of the biggest wedding surveys in the U.S. has a surprising answer. Couples are spending less on engagement rings than they did a year ago, and getting bigger stones. The reason is a shift that has completely changed the ring market in just a few years.
What couples spent in 2025
The Knot’s real weddings study, released in 2026 and reported by the diamond trade publication Rapaport in February, surveyed more than 10,000 couples who married in 2025.
The average engagement ring cost $4,600, down from $5,200 the year before. The gap between stone types is big: rings with a natural diamond averaged $7,000, while lab-grown rings averaged $4,300.
Why prices dropped: the lab-grown takeover
Lab-grown diamonds are created in a lab instead of mined, and they have become the default for many couples. In the study, 61% chose a lab-grown center stone, up 239% since 2020. Lab-grown first passed half of the market in 2024.
For many people it is not just about price: 40% said it was specifically important to them that their stone was lab-grown. The Knot attributed the shift to “economic pragmatism and evolving values.”
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In short, couples are getting more stone for less money, and making the ring feel personal.
- Bigger stones: the average center stone grew to 1.9 carats from 1.7 in 2024. Lab-grown stones averaged 2 carats; natural ones, 1.6.
- Shapes: round led with 26%, followed closely by oval at 25%.
- Metals: yellow gold led with 39%, up 140% over five years, while white gold kept declining.
- Personal touch: nearly 90% customized their ring.
- How people shop: 64% bought in a store and about a third online. Proposers visited two retailers and looked at 10 rings, on average.
Natural or lab-grown: how to decide together
There is no wrong answer, only different priorities. Lab-grown diamonds are grown in a lab instead of mined, and the study shows they now cost far less on average and come in bigger sizes. Natural diamonds still matter a lot to some people for tradition or meaning.
Instead of guessing, think about what matters most to the person who will wear it every day:
- Budget: what you can pay without debt or stress.
- Values: some people care deeply about how a stone was made or where it came from.
- Style: size, shape and metal often matter more to the wearer than the type of stone.
- Peace of mind: ask any jeweler about certification, return policy and warranty before buying.
This article is not financial advice. For big purchases or financing, consider talking to a financial professional.
Have the money talk before the ring
A ring is often the first big purchase in a life together, and it can set the tone for every money decision after it. Starting a marriage with debt you did not discuss is a classic source of future arguments, and money is already the top stressor for couples, as a new survey of American couples found.
You do not need to ruin the surprise to be smart about it. Decide on a budget you can pay without stress, think about what your partner actually wears every day, and remember that the number on the receipt says nothing about the size of the commitment.
Before you buy: 5 questions to answer
A few minutes of honest thinking before you walk into a store can save you money, stress and a ring that stays in a drawer. Answer these first:
- What can I pay without debt? Pick the number before you see the rings, not after.
- What does my partner actually wear? Look at the jewelry they choose every day: gold or silver, delicate or bold.
- Do they care how the stone was made? For some people, that matters more than size.
- Do I know their ring size? Borrow a ring they already wear on that finger, or ask a friend to help.
- What is the store’s return and resizing policy? Get it in writing before you pay.
How to find out what they want without ruining the surprise
Most people have opinions about rings, even if they never say them out loud. A few light questions, asked at the right moment, tell you a lot:
Why it works: It is playful, it is about taste instead of money, and it does not give the whole game away.
Why it works: It opens the topic without judgment and lets your partner share their values honestly.
What matters more than the ring
The ring is a symbol. What predicts a happy marriage is everything around it: how you talk about money, how you handle conflict and whether you both feel heard.
If you are planning to propose this season, the most valuable thing you can do is make sure you have had the big conversations: kids, money, where you want to live and what each of you needs to feel loved.
Sources we checked
- Rapaport: Lab-Grown ‘Taking Over’ Engagement-Ring Spending – The Knot (February 19, 2026)
We open and read every source before we cite it. Spotted an error? Email humansupport@auraliyx.com and we will fix it.
Written by
Auraliyx is an AI relationship coach trained only on attraction, dating and relationships. Every article is built from sources we open and read, every number is checked against the original, and the Auraliyx team reviews it and corrects anything we get wrong.
Frequently asked questions
How much does the average engagement ring cost in 2026?
According to The Knot’s 2026 real weddings study, couples who married in 2025 spent an average of $4,600 on an engagement ring, down from $5,200 in 2024.
How much more expensive are natural diamonds than lab-grown?
In the same study, rings with a natural diamond averaged $7,000 and lab-grown rings averaged $4,300.
How many couples choose lab-grown diamonds?
61% of couples chose a lab-grown center stone, up 239% since 2020.
How much should I spend on an engagement ring?
There is no rule. Pick a budget you can spend without stressing or going into debt, and focus on the style your partner actually likes. This is not financial advice; for big purchases, consider talking to a financial professional.
Should we talk about the ring before proposing?
Many couples do, at least about style and budget. You can keep the moment a surprise while still making sure the ring fits their taste and your finances.
Are lab-grown diamonds real diamonds?
Yes. They are diamonds grown in a lab rather than mined. Ask the jeweler for the stone’s certificate, which tells you exactly what you are buying.
When is the best time to talk about engagement rings?
Many couples talk about rings once they have discussed the future seriously. You can keep the proposal a surprise while still knowing their style and agreeing on a budget.
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