GITNUXREPORT 2025

Diamond Industry Statistics

Global diamond market valued at $80 billion; industry employs 4.5 million worldwide.

Jannik Linder

Co-Founder of Gitnux, specialized in content and tech since 2016.

First published: April 29, 2025

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Statistic 1

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was launched in 2003 to prevent "conflict diamonds" from entering the mainstream market

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Ethical concerns regarding diamond mining practices have led to a 25% increase in demand for certified conflict-free diamonds since 2010

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The global diamond mining industry produced about 130 million carats in 2022

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Canada is the third-largest producer of diamonds globally, with significant operations in the Northwest Territories

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The De Beers Group controls about 30% of the global diamond market share

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Over 70% of rough diamonds are sold through government-licensed auctions

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The majority of diamonds (around 85%) are mined in Africa, especially in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Angola

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The diamond industry employs around 4.5 million people worldwide, including mining, cutting, and retail

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The value of diamond exports from Botswana was approximately $4.6 billion in 2022, making it one of the top diamond exporting countries

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The world's largest diamond ever found is the Cullinan diamond, weighing 3,106 carats, discovered in South Africa in 1905

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The average lifespan of a diamond mine ranges from 10–20 years, depending on reserves and mining efficiency

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The average annual production costs for a diamond mine range from $50 million to $150 million, depending on the size and location of the mine

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African countries, especially Botswana and Angola, hold significant rough diamond stockpiles estimated at billions of dollars, impacting global market dynamics

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De Beers’ "Sight" system is a key method of selling rough diamonds, with about 10 to 15 sales per year, each offering billions of dollars worth of diamonds

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The global employment in diamond polishing and cutting centers, mainly located in India, exceeds 1 million workers

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About 65% of the world's rough diamonds are sold via intermediary traders before reaching manufacturers and retailers

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The overall number of certified conflict-free diamonds has increased to over 2.7 billion carats since the Kimberley Process was established, ensuring greater market transparency

Statistic 18

The region of Siberia has started emerging as a new source of high-quality diamonds in recent years, contributing to diversification in supply

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The average total time from diamond procurement to retail sale is approximately 10–12 months, involving multiple stages like mining, sorting, cutting, and marketing

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About 75% of the world's diamonds are used in jewelry

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The United States is the largest consumer of diamond jewelry, accounting for nearly 45% of all sales

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The average age of a diamond miner is approximately 38 years old

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Lab-grown diamonds make up about 5% of the global diamond market as of 2023 and are rapidly increasing

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The global market for synthetic diamonds is expected to reach $26 billion by 2025

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The global demand for luxury jewelry, including diamonds, increased by 7% in 2022 compared to the previous year

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Synthetic diamonds account for about 70% of the jewelry-quality diamond market in China, the largest market for lab-grown diamonds

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The global jewelry industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030, with diamonds being a major contributor

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In 2022, the online diamond jewelry sales grew by 15%, driven largely by younger consumers

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The total global revenue of online jewelry sales surpassed $30 billion in 2022, with diamonds accounting for a significant portion

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China surpassed the U.S. as the largest market for diamond jewelry in 2019, driven by middle-class growth

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The majority of diamond purchases are made during special occasions such as engagements, with about 60% of diamonds sold for engagement rings

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The average diamond weight sold is approximately 0.3 carats for jewelry pieces, as most buyers prefer smaller, more affordable stones

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The market for antique and vintage diamonds has been growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 4% since 2015, driven by demand for unique stones

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The global diamond market is projected to reach $98 billion by 2025, driven by increased jewelry demand and industrial applications

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The industrial use of diamonds accounts for approximately 20% of total diamond consumption, mainly for cutting, grinding, and drilling tools

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The birthstone diamond is traditionally associated with the month of April, linking culturally significant symbols with the industry

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The global demand for diamond industrial-grade stones is expected to grow by about 3.5% annually until 2030, driven by manufacturing and technology

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The United Arab Emirates has become a major diamond trading hub, with annual diamond trade exceeding $12 billion, primarily through Dubai

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Environmental and social governance (ESG) criteria are increasingly influencing consumer buying decisions, with 60% of buyers willing to pay more for ethically sourced diamonds

Statistic 40

The global diamond jewelry market was valued at approximately $80 billion in 2022

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The price per carat for rough diamonds varies widely, from $50 to over $4,000, depending on quality and size

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The average retail price of a 1-carat diamond ring in the U.S. is approximately $5,500

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Diamond prices tend to peak in the mid-20s in terms of carat size before plateauing or decreasing for larger stones

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The average price of a 0.5-carat diamond has increased by approximately 10% over the past three years

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The resale value of a diamond is approximately 60-70% of its original retail price, depending on quality and market conditions

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The retail price of diamond jewelry in the U.S. has increased an average of 3% annually over the past decade, outpacing inflation

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The largest single diamond ever sold at auction was the Pink Star, which fetched $71.2 million in 2017, setting a world record

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The average profit margin for diamond retailers is around 15%, due to high operational costs and market competition

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The advent of online marketplaces has increased transparency and reduced the number of middlemen in the diamond supply chain, leading to price reductions of about 10-20%

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The average retail markup on diamond jewelry ranges from 100% to 150%, depending on the brand and design

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The average resale price of a diamond jewelry piece purchased 10 years ago is approximately 40-50% of its original value, influenced by market trends

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Synthetic diamonds are often used in high-tech applications, including semiconductors and quantum computing, expanding market opportunities

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The use of advanced technology such as AI and automation in diamond grading has increased accuracy, reducing grading errors by about 25%

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Key Highlights

The global diamond jewelry market was valued at approximately $80 billion in 2022
About 75% of the world's diamonds are used in jewelry
The United States is the largest consumer of diamond jewelry, accounting for nearly 45% of all sales
The global diamond mining industry produced about 130 million carats in 2022
The price per carat for rough diamonds varies widely, from $50 to over $4,000, depending on quality and size
Canada is the third-largest producer of diamonds globally, with significant operations in the Northwest Territories
The De Beers Group controls about 30% of the global diamond market share
Over 70% of rough diamonds are sold through government-licensed auctions
The average age of a diamond miner is approximately 38 years old
Lab-grown diamonds make up about 5% of the global diamond market as of 2023 and are rapidly increasing
The global market for synthetic diamonds is expected to reach $26 billion by 2025
The average retail price of a 1-carat diamond ring in the U.S. is approximately $5,500
The majority of diamonds (around 85%) are mined in Africa, especially in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Angola

Shining brighter than ever, the global diamond industry is a trillion-dollar market shaped by vast production reserves, technological innovation, ethical concerns, and a shifting landscape driven by lab-grown alternatives and changing consumer preferences.

Corporate and Ethical Practices

The Kimberley Process Certification Scheme was launched in 2003 to prevent "conflict diamonds" from entering the mainstream market
Ethical concerns regarding diamond mining practices have led to a 25% increase in demand for certified conflict-free diamonds since 2010

Corporate and Ethical Practices Interpretation

Since the Kimberley Process's debut in 2003 and the subsequent 25% surge in demand for conflict-free diamonds, it’s clear that consumers are increasingly trading elegance for ethical clarity—proving that a true sparkle should never come at the cost of moral murkiness.

Industry Production and Supply Chain

The global diamond mining industry produced about 130 million carats in 2022
Canada is the third-largest producer of diamonds globally, with significant operations in the Northwest Territories
The De Beers Group controls about 30% of the global diamond market share
Over 70% of rough diamonds are sold through government-licensed auctions
The majority of diamonds (around 85%) are mined in Africa, especially in Botswana, South Africa, Namibia, and Angola
The diamond industry employs around 4.5 million people worldwide, including mining, cutting, and retail
The value of diamond exports from Botswana was approximately $4.6 billion in 2022, making it one of the top diamond exporting countries
The world's largest diamond ever found is the Cullinan diamond, weighing 3,106 carats, discovered in South Africa in 1905
The average lifespan of a diamond mine ranges from 10–20 years, depending on reserves and mining efficiency
The average annual production costs for a diamond mine range from $50 million to $150 million, depending on the size and location of the mine
African countries, especially Botswana and Angola, hold significant rough diamond stockpiles estimated at billions of dollars, impacting global market dynamics
De Beers’ "Sight" system is a key method of selling rough diamonds, with about 10 to 15 sales per year, each offering billions of dollars worth of diamonds
The global employment in diamond polishing and cutting centers, mainly located in India, exceeds 1 million workers
About 65% of the world's rough diamonds are sold via intermediary traders before reaching manufacturers and retailers
The overall number of certified conflict-free diamonds has increased to over 2.7 billion carats since the Kimberley Process was established, ensuring greater market transparency
The region of Siberia has started emerging as a new source of high-quality diamonds in recent years, contributing to diversification in supply
The average total time from diamond procurement to retail sale is approximately 10–12 months, involving multiple stages like mining, sorting, cutting, and marketing

Industry Production and Supply Chain Interpretation

Despite producing a staggering 130 million carats in 2022 and employing millions across the globe, the diamond industry's reliance on African sources, controlled sales through De Beers' "Sight" system, and increasing transparency via the Kimberley Process reveal a glittering yet complex web of economic, geopolitical, and environmental intricacies behind every sparkling gem.

Market Segmentation and Consumption Patterns

About 75% of the world's diamonds are used in jewelry
The United States is the largest consumer of diamond jewelry, accounting for nearly 45% of all sales
The average age of a diamond miner is approximately 38 years old
Lab-grown diamonds make up about 5% of the global diamond market as of 2023 and are rapidly increasing
The global market for synthetic diamonds is expected to reach $26 billion by 2025
The global demand for luxury jewelry, including diamonds, increased by 7% in 2022 compared to the previous year
Synthetic diamonds account for about 70% of the jewelry-quality diamond market in China, the largest market for lab-grown diamonds
The global jewelry industry is projected to grow at a CAGR of 5.2% from 2023 to 2030, with diamonds being a major contributor
In 2022, the online diamond jewelry sales grew by 15%, driven largely by younger consumers
The total global revenue of online jewelry sales surpassed $30 billion in 2022, with diamonds accounting for a significant portion
China surpassed the U.S. as the largest market for diamond jewelry in 2019, driven by middle-class growth
The majority of diamond purchases are made during special occasions such as engagements, with about 60% of diamonds sold for engagement rings
The average diamond weight sold is approximately 0.3 carats for jewelry pieces, as most buyers prefer smaller, more affordable stones
The market for antique and vintage diamonds has been growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of about 4% since 2015, driven by demand for unique stones
The global diamond market is projected to reach $98 billion by 2025, driven by increased jewelry demand and industrial applications
The industrial use of diamonds accounts for approximately 20% of total diamond consumption, mainly for cutting, grinding, and drilling tools
The birthstone diamond is traditionally associated with the month of April, linking culturally significant symbols with the industry
The global demand for diamond industrial-grade stones is expected to grow by about 3.5% annually until 2030, driven by manufacturing and technology
The United Arab Emirates has become a major diamond trading hub, with annual diamond trade exceeding $12 billion, primarily through Dubai
Environmental and social governance (ESG) criteria are increasingly influencing consumer buying decisions, with 60% of buyers willing to pay more for ethically sourced diamonds

Market Segmentation and Consumption Patterns Interpretation

As the global diamond industry shines brighter, booming markets from China’s synthetic surge and online sales to Dubai’s trading dominance and eco-conscious consumers illuminate a sparkling future—yet with nearly a quarter still adorning jewelry, the industry balances allure with ethical and technological evolution.

Pricing, Valuation, and Market Trends

The global diamond jewelry market was valued at approximately $80 billion in 2022
The price per carat for rough diamonds varies widely, from $50 to over $4,000, depending on quality and size
The average retail price of a 1-carat diamond ring in the U.S. is approximately $5,500
Diamond prices tend to peak in the mid-20s in terms of carat size before plateauing or decreasing for larger stones
The average price of a 0.5-carat diamond has increased by approximately 10% over the past three years
The resale value of a diamond is approximately 60-70% of its original retail price, depending on quality and market conditions
The retail price of diamond jewelry in the U.S. has increased an average of 3% annually over the past decade, outpacing inflation
The largest single diamond ever sold at auction was the Pink Star, which fetched $71.2 million in 2017, setting a world record
The average profit margin for diamond retailers is around 15%, due to high operational costs and market competition
The advent of online marketplaces has increased transparency and reduced the number of middlemen in the diamond supply chain, leading to price reductions of about 10-20%
The average retail markup on diamond jewelry ranges from 100% to 150%, depending on the brand and design
The average resale price of a diamond jewelry piece purchased 10 years ago is approximately 40-50% of its original value, influenced by market trends

Pricing, Valuation, and Market Trends Interpretation

Despite a booming $80 billion global market and rising retail prices outpacing inflation, the diamond industry's intricate pricing—peaking mid-sized stones and dropping on resale—reminds us that behind its dazzling veneer lies a complex calculus of quality, market trends, and middlemen, now somewhat softened by online transparency.

Technological Innovations and Market Growth

Synthetic diamonds are often used in high-tech applications, including semiconductors and quantum computing, expanding market opportunities
The use of advanced technology such as AI and automation in diamond grading has increased accuracy, reducing grading errors by about 25%

Technological Innovations and Market Growth Interpretation

As synthetic diamonds shine brighter in tech sectors like semiconductors and quantum computing, their precise grading—boosted by AI-driven automation—ensures that this glittering industry stays both innovative and impeccable.