Exclusive: KAY Jewelers & Monique Lhuillier Launch Colored Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Rings

Colored diamonds are known for being some of the rarest—and most valuable—gemstones in the world. These unique tinted stones exude color due to slight changes in their molecular structure or trace impurities. Because of their elusive nature, fancy-colored diamonds can come with a price tag between six, seven, or even eight figures. But thanks to a new partnership between KAY Jewelers and Monique Lhuillier, getting your hands on a colored diamond engagement ring is now more attainable than ever before.

On September 18, 2024, the illustrious celebrity wedding dress designer launched an extension of her Bliss engagement ring collection with the national retailer, comprised of 11 lab-created colored diamond engagement rings—all priced under $8,000. "I created this collection with KAY to make beautiful, colored lab-created diamond options more accessible to couples," Lhuillier tells The Knot. "While colored natural diamonds can be rare and expensive, these lab-created diamonds offer the same stunning appearance at a more attainable price point."

Photo: Courtesy of KAY Jewelers and Monique Lhuillier

According to Lisa Ingram, KAY's VP of Merchandising, the collection—which features the brand's first colored lab-created diamonds—gives consumers the ability to shop for an engagement ring from a renowned designer at an accessible price point. "By using lab-created diamonds, we preserve the elegance and sophistication Monique is celebrated for while making her designs attainable for more customers," she says. "This collection shows our commitment to offering luxury at a great value, allowing more people to experience high-quality, designer engagement rings."

Below, The Knot exclusively unveils the first photos and details of Monique Lhuillier's colored engagement ring collection, available only through KAY Jewelers.

See KAY Jewelers and Monique Lhuillier's Bliss Colored Lab-Created Diamond Collection

Photo: Courtesy of KAY Jewelers and Monique Lhuillier

Monique Lhuillier's new engagement ring collection with KAY Jewelers features 11 lab-created colored engagement rings in shades of pink, blue and yellow, which are inspired by her eponymous wedding dress designs. "I love incorporating color into my bridal designs to create a sense of romance and uniqueness that makes each piece feel special, so it felt like a natural evolution to bring this love for color into the collection" Lhuillier explains. "The soft hues of the lab-created diamonds celebrate the individuality that makes these pieces memorable and distinctive for our customers. Each color infuses the rings with a sense of style making them feel as personal and timeless as my bridal designs."

Each engagement ring rests in an 18K white gold setting, with center stones ranging from 1 1⁄2 to 2 5⁄8 carats. Available to shop online or in select KAY stores, rings from the Monique Lhuillier Bliss lab-created colored engagement ring collection cost between $4,099.99 and $7,299.99. According to The Knot's data, this encompasses the national average cost of an engagement ring, which is currently $5,500.

Photo: Courtesy of KAY Jewelers and Monique Lhuillier

The collection highlights a variety of settings, from timeless solitaires to trendy toi-et-mois and multi-stone rings, which Lhuillier says honors the increased demand for personalized engagement jewelry. "We've continued to see a shift toward consumers searching for more unique engagement ring designs, because people today want their rings to reflect their individuality and personal love stories," she says. "Toi-et-moi and multi-stone settings, for example, allow for more creative expression, with each stone symbolizing something special."

Ingram notes that the use of lab-grown center stones also matches an interest in budget-friendly alternatives to mined diamonds. "We've continued to see growing demand for lab-created diamonds, and our offering is constantly evolving to meet our customers' needs," she says.

Photo: Courtesy of KAY Jewelers and Monique Lhuillier

Plus, she adds, the collection is the latest iteration of a collaboration that KAY customers have taken to fondly over the years. "Our customers have loved Monique Lhuillier's designs throughout the duration of our longstanding partnership, appreciating the opportunity to own an exquisite piece from a renowned designer to signify their memories and love," Ingram says. "Her unique aesthetic and exceptional craftsmanship resonate with our clientele, who value both the artistry and prestige of a luxury designer."

Shop Monique Lhuillier's Colored Engagement Rings

With 11 new designs, Monique Lhuillier's colored lab-created engagement ring collection has a little something for everyone. See our favorite designs below, and shop the entire collection here.

Monique Lhuillier Bliss Blue & White Lab-Created Diamond Two-Stone Engagement Ring in 18K White Gold

Monique Lhuillier Bliss Radiant-Cut Yellow & White Lab-Created Diamond Engagement Ring in 18K White Gold

Monique Lhuillier Bliss Radiant-Cut Peach-Pink & White Lab-Created Diamond Engagement Ring in 18K White Gold