De Beers' Diamond Study Faces Funding Bias Concerns
A widely cited diamond study by De Beers has raised concerns over its potential bias due to lack of transparency about funding. The research, titled US Diamond Acquisition Study, claims natural diamonds are experiencing a resurgence in demand and higher spending per piece. However, the report's credibility is questioned because it was commissioned by one of the largest players in the diamond industry. The study highlights increased average spend on natural diamonds to $4,063 in 2025 from $3,242 in 2023 and a rise in acquisition rates among high-income households. Yet these findings contrast with broader market trends showing lab-grown diamonds dominating the engagement ring segment at over 61% of purchases in 2025. Natural diamond supply is also declining due to mine closures driven by poor economics, not increased demand as suggested by De Beers' report. Analysts note that global rough output fell below 95 million carats this year—the lowest since 1987—further challenging the narrative of a market rebound.
Topics: consumer research bias diamond market lab-grown diamonds natural diamonds