"đ Diamond Update â January 2026 đ
The diamond world right now feels like two different stories:
Natural diamonds â Still holding value for larger & premium stones (1+ carat top colors/clarities often stable or slightly up), but smaller sizes continue soft. De Beers just cut rough prices in early Jan to kickstart buying after weak demand â a rare move showing pressure from lab-grown alternatives and slow retail.
Lab-grown diamonds â Super steady & affordable. A nice 1-carat round sits around $725â800 retail, giving buyers bigger sparkle for less budget.
Bottom line:
- Want rarity & tradition? Natural still shines (especially bigger ones).
- Want value & size? Lab-grown is dominating the conversation.
The sparkle gap between the two keeps widening â which side are you on in 2026? đ