Lab-grown diamonds usually have little resale value, and you should expect to get back only a small part of what you paid, if a buyer will take the stone at all. That is worth knowing before you buy, but for many couples it does not change the decision, because they are choosing a ring to wear rather than an asset to sell.
We would rather you heard this from us now than from a buyer later. Here is why resale works the way it does, and how to weigh it up.
Why do lab-grown diamonds resell for so little?
There are a few reasons, and they work together.
- Supply is not limited. Laboratories can grow more diamonds whenever demand rises, so there is no scarcity holding the value up.
- Prices for new stones have fallen. Growing techniques keep improving, and the cost of a new lab-grown diamond has come down over recent years. A buyer can often get a new stone for less than you paid for yours.
- Few buyers deal in them. Many jewellers and diamond buyers do not buy lab-grown stones second hand, which leaves a small market.
Our article on lab-grown diamond prices in 2026 looks at how prices have moved.
Do natural diamonds hold their value?
Natural diamond prices have also fallen in recent years, so they are not immune to price changes either. Better than lab-grown, but not as well as many people assume. When you sell a natural diamond, a buyer offers a trade price, which is typically well below the retail price you paid. Natural diamonds do have an established second hand market, so selling is easier, but a diamond ring is rarely a good investment in the financial sense.
Photo: Tima Miroshnichenko via Pexels.
So does resale matter?
It depends on what the ring is for. If you see it as something to wear every day and keep, resale may barely matter. If you think you might want to sell or trade it in later, a natural diamond gives you more options.
A few questions can help:
- Do you plan to keep the ring for life, or pass it down?
- Would you rather have a larger or higher grade stone for your budget now?
- Is it important to you that the stone keeps some value?
Some of our clients choose lab-grown because it lets them have the size and quality they want within their budget. Others choose natural because the rarity and the second hand market matter to them. Both are sensible choices. Our comparison of lab-grown vs natural diamonds sets out the wider pros and cons.
What about upgrading later?
Some jewellers offer trade in or upgrade schemes, but terms vary a great deal, and lab-grown stones are often excluded. If upgrading is part of your plan, ask about it in writing before you buy, wherever you buy.
What does keep its value?
The metal in a ring has a value of its own, linked to the gold or platinum price, though you would receive less than the cost of the finished ring. A grading report from GIA or IGI also helps any future sale, because it proves what the stone is. Keep the report and your receipt somewhere safe.
Our honest view
We think the right reason to choose a lab-grown diamond is that you love it and it suits your budget, not because you expect to sell it. If you go in knowing the resale picture, there are no surprises later.
Choosing the right diamond with us
If resale matters to you, tell us early and we can talk through natural and lab-grown options side by side, with GIA or IGI reports for each. Your design starts as a CAD render, and a 70% deposit starts the making once you approve it. Your ring is crafted by specialist goldsmiths, UK hallmarked and sent by insured tracked courier. Bespoke rings start from £600.
Browse our lab-grown colourless diamonds or read about the bespoke journey to see how a commission works.
Frequently asked questions
Do lab-grown diamonds have resale value?
Usually very little. Supply is not limited, prices for new stones have fallen and few buyers deal in them second hand.
Do natural diamonds hold their value?
Better than lab-grown, but a buyer will typically offer a trade price well below what you paid at retail.
Can I trade in a lab-grown diamond for an upgrade?
Some jewellers offer schemes, but many exclude lab-grown stones. Ask for the terms in writing before you buy.
Should resale value affect my choice of diamond?
It depends on whether you plan to keep the ring. If you will wear it for life, resale may matter very little.