The Most Popular Diamond Shapes in the Lab-Grown Market Today and What Retailers Should Stock in 2026

As lab-grown diamonds allow retailers to respond more quickly to changing consumer trends, diamond shape has become a key driver of sales performance. European customers are increasingly informed and design-conscious, making shape selection an important part of inventory planning. Understanding which lab-grown diamond shapes are performing well today, and which are expected to remain relevant through 2026, helps retailers reduce risk and build stronger assortments.

Based in Antwerp, LabGems supports retailers with access to lab-grown diamonds that align with current demand and future market direction.

Why Diamond Shape Matters for Retailers

Diamond shape directly influences how a piece of jewellery is perceived by customers. It affects visual impact, design flexibility, and price perception. For retailers, stocking the right mix of shapes supports:

• Stronger conversion rates
  

• Better alignment with design trends
  

• Improved inventory turnover
  

As lab-grown diamonds offer greater flexibility in supply, retailers can adjust their shape assortments more efficiently than with traditional sourcing models.

The Most Popular Lab-Grown Diamond Shapes Today

Round Brilliant: The Ongoing Bestseller

The round brilliant remains the most popular diamond shape in the lab-grown market. Its balanced proportions and strong light performance appeal to a wide range of customers, particularly for engagement rings and classic designs. Retailers should continue to prioritise round brilliants across multiple carat sizes to meet steady demand.

Cushion Cut: Soft Lines with Broad Appeal

The cushion cut combines a traditional outline with a softer, romantic look. It performs well in both vintage-inspired and modern settings. Many retailers find that cushion shapes offer good flexibility across price points, making them a reliable option within a balanced assortment.

Princess Cut: Clean and Contemporary

The princess cut remains popular among customers seeking a modern appearance. Its sharp lines and strong brilliance suit minimalist designs and contemporary engagement rings. Retailers targeting younger buyers or urban markets often see consistent interest in this shape.

Oval and Emerald: Growth Driven by Design Trends

Oval and emerald shapes continue to gain popularity due to their distinctive appearance. Oval diamonds are often chosen because they appear larger on the hand for the same carat weight, which can help customers manage budgets. Emerald cuts appeal to customers who value clean lines and understated elegance, particularly in bespoke jewellery.

What Retailers Should Stock Looking Toward 2026

Maintain Core Shapes with Reliable Demand

Retailers should ensure consistent availability of core shapes such as round brilliant, cushion, and princess cuts. These shapes have shown long-term stability and are expected to remain strong sellers through 2026 due to their broad appeal and design versatility.

Increase Focus on Elongated and Step-Cut Shapes

Design trends indicate continued interest in elongated shapes such as oval and pear, as well as step-cut shapes such as emerald. These shapes suit personalised designs and custom orders, which are becoming more common in European retail. Allocating stock to these shapes helps retailers stay aligned with evolving preferences.

Match Shape Selection to Customer Profiles

Different shapes attract different customer segments. For example, round brilliants often appeal to classic buyers, while oval and emerald shapes attract design-led customers. Retailers can adjust their inventory mix based on local buying behaviour and sales history.

Support Bespoke Sales with a Mixed Shape Range

Retailers offering custom jewellery benefit from having access to multiple shapes. A varied selection supports faster turnaround for bespoke orders and can increase average order value by offering more design options.

Sourcing the Right Shapes with Confidence

Work with Wholesale Partners for Flexible Inventory

Retailers can manage shape assortments more effectively by working with wholesale suppliers such as LabGems. Access to wholesale lab-grown diamonds allows retailers to respond to demand without holding excessive stock.

Use Sales Data to Adjust Shape Mix

Monitoring which shapes sell fastest enables retailers to refine their assortments over time. Lab-grown supply makes it easier to adjust stock levels as trends develop toward 2026.

Conclusion: 

Diamond shape plays a central role in customer choice within the lab-grown market. Retailers that combine proven bestsellers with carefully selected trend-driven shapes are better positioned to meet demand and manage inventory efficiently. By working with an Antwerp-based wholesale partner such as LabGems, retailers can review current shape availability, plan future assortments with confidence, and prepare their businesses for continued growth through 2026.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the most popular lab-grown diamond shapes for retailers today?
The most popular shapes include round brilliant, cushion cut, princess cut, oval, and emerald. These shapes offer a balance of strong demand and design flexibility.

Why do oval and emerald shapes continue to gain popularity?
Oval shapes often appear larger for their carat weight, while emerald cuts suit clean, elegant designs. Both are well suited to bespoke and fashion-led jewellery.

Should retailers focus only on best-selling shapes for 2026?
No. While core shapes remain essential, adding trend-driven shapes helps retailers attract new customers and support custom jewellery requests.

How can retailers manage diamond shape inventory more effectively?
Retailers can track sales data, forecast demand, and work with wholesale partners such as LabGems to adjust stock as preferences change.

How can retailers source lab-grown diamond shapes from LabGems?
Retailers can request wholesale pricing from the LabGems Antwerp team to discuss shape availability, volume needs, and future stock planning.