Once you set a budget for a diamond ring, you will want to get the most beautiful rock with the best quality for your money. However, the jewelry market is so overwhelmed that sometimes it is difficult to make a decision.
The price of a diamond ring depends on many variables, so the answer to the question of how much is a 1-carat diamond ring is not simple. A single attribute of a diamond, such as a shape or purity, can drastically change the price. Therefore, you need to inquire well about the offer and compare several rings to find the one that suits you perfectly.
Average Price for 1-Carat Diamond
In general, the cost of the 1-carat diamond varies between $4,000 and $10,000. However, you can find that the price of the ring you choose can also be as little as $2,000, or more than $15,000. The crucial indicators for ring value are 4C qualities, including cut, color, clarity, and carat.
Cut
The cut is possibly the crucial diamond feature that defines the stone spark, proportion, and symmetry. A well-cut gem will hide any existing imperfection on the inside. Keep in mind that the rough diamond almost has no sparkle and appears dull.
Most experts define diamond cuts as:
- Excellent – It includes the highest level of brilliance and shine.
- Very good – In this category, you will find almost flawless gems with no distinction seen with the naked eye.
- Good – These diamonds are of solid quality at a much lower price.
- Fair – Jewelers mostly use these gems with minimum brilliance for side stones.
- Poor – In this group are diamonds with almost no reflection and sparkle.
If you want a shiny diamond that reflects light well and has an inner glow, you should choose an excellent or very good cut, especially for a solitary stone with no additional diamonds.
Color
Jewelers use the letter system to specify the diamond color. From absolutely colorless to a light color, the diamond categories are:
- D to F – Absolutely colorless gems with the highest prices.
- G to J – Nearly colorless diamond to the extent that there is no difference with the naked eye.
- K to M – Faint color that the professional can see without trouble.
- N to R – Very light color you can see on the bigger stone.
- S to Z – Light color anybody can see.
A diamond ring with a colorless stone Is much more expensive than the same model with a light-yellow color. In fact, the existing color will raise or lower a price for a couple of hundreds of dollars.
Clarity
The clarity describes both internal flaws (inclusions) and your diamond’s surface (blemishes). Even though there are luxurious diamonds with FL (flawless) mark, they are extremely rare.
Clarity definitions are:
- Flawless
- Internally flawless
- Very, very small inclusions 1 and 2
- Very small inclusions 1 and 2
- Small inclusion 1 and 2
- Inclusion 1
Average prices for 1-carat round shaped diamond Chart |
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|
IF |
VVS1 |
VVS2 |
|
|
D |
$13000 to $16000 | $10,000 to $13,000 | $8,000 to $11,000 |
| E | $11,000 to $13,000 | $9,000 to $11,500 |
$7,500 to $10,000 |
|
F |
$10,000 to $11,000 | $9,000 to $10,000 | $7,500 to $9,000 |
| G | $8,000 to $9,500 | $6,500 to $9,000 |
$6,500 to $8,000 |
|
H |
$6,300 to $7,300 | $6,000 to $8,000 | $5,500 to $7,000 |
| I | $5,700 to $6,300 | $5,200 to $6,300 |
$5,000 to $6,000 |
|
J |
$5,500 to $6,300 | $4,500 to $5,500 |
$4,000 to $5,000 |
Remember that you can always buy VS2 or S1 diamond for the engagement ring without anyone doubting its quality. The higher clarity defines the higher price, but the truth is, you don’t always need it.
Average prices for 1-carat round shaped diamond Chart |
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|
|
VS1 | VS2 | SI1 | SI2 |
| D | $7,000 to $10,000 | $6,500 to $9,000 | $5,500 to $8,000 |
$4,500 to $7,000 |
|
E |
$6,500 to $9,000 | $6,000 to $8,000 | $5,000 to $7,000 | $4,300 to $6,000 |
| F | $6,000 to $9,000 | $6,000 to $8,000 | $5,000 to $6,500 |
$4,000 to $5,500 |
|
G |
$6,000 to $8,000 | $5,500 to $7,500 | $5,000 to $6,000 | $4,000 to $5,000 |
| H | $5,500 to $7,000 | $5,300 to $6,500 | $4,700 to $6,000 |
$4,000 to $5,000 |
|
I |
$5,000 to $6,000 | $4,700 to $6,000 | $4,000 to $5,500 | $3,500 to $4,300 |
| J | $4,000 to $5,300 | $4,000 to $5,300 | $3,700 to $4,700 |
$3,300 to $4,300 |
Almost no one can see imperfections on these diamonds with the naked eye. Only jewelers can notice all the inclusions and blemishes under standard jewelers’ loupe.
Carat
The diamond stone on the market is described in carats. This system determines the diamond mass, so the bigger gem implies a higher price. One carat is precisely 0,2 grams or 200 milligrams.
Keep in mind that the visual distinction between 0,9 and 1-carat diamond ring is insignificant, but the price may differ in hundreds of dollars.
Other Price Determinants
Besides 4C, many other factors affect the price of the particular diamond ring. For instance, the two differently shaped gemstones with the same 4C attributes won’t have equal value. Plus, a Tiffany diamond ring costs much more than the same ring without a brand name.
The round gems are the most expensive you can find. On average, you can save 20 to 50% by choosing a princess cut or a heart shape instead of the round one. Other shapes you can decide on are:
- Pear
- Oval
- Marquise
- Cushion
- Emerald
- Tear
All of them, except round diamonds, are known as fancy shapes. Their price is less since they don’t have a GIA (Gemological Institute of America) certificate. Sometimes you can find these gems with AGS (American Gem Society) or IGI (International Gemological Institute) certificate.
Since the GIA has the strictest rules about grading the diamond quality, a gem that satisfies the highest standards cost more on the market. Their certificate can raise ring prices by 30% while many stores offer the uncertified diamonds on sale with up to 50% discount.
Remember that it also matters where you buy the ring. Online stores have lower prices because they have no the store’s cost, worker’s paycheck, and taxes. On the other hand, you can expect to pay more if you go to the brand stores like Tiffany or Harry Winston.
Are 1-Carat Diamonds Overpriced?
The value of the diamond ring rises with the number of carats. That means you can save around 20% by picking a 0,99-carat ring instead of the 1-carat one. The high demand with the full number of carats gives the traders opportunity to spice up the prices.
For the untrained eye, the 0,97 and 1-carat diamond rings are almost identical. The same goes for F I G colored diamonds, or VVS1, and VS1 clarity. Your ring can be beautiful, even if it has a few flaws you don’t even notice.
Tips and Tricks to Pay Less
1-carat diamond is large enough to impress, and it is not heavy when you wear it on your finger. Any ring style can look beautiful with a stone of this size. I will list you a few tips and trick to avoid paying the small fortune for your engagement or wedding ring:
- If you want to make your diamond look bigger, you should choose a ring with only one stone placed on a thin band.
- Go just under full carat measure since 0,9 to 0,99-carat rings are much cheaper.
- Choose the excellent cut and pick a category or two lowers for clarity and color since it is hard to spot the difference.
- Even the H colored diamond will look perfectly colorless on the white gold or platinum ring.
- Consider the fancy-shaped diamond to lower the price for up to 30%. The oval or the cushion shape is much more affordable than the round stone.
- If you select a high-priced diamond, pick the 14k instead of the 18k gold. That way, you will cover the cost of the gem with paying less for the ring itself.
Some common mistakes you can avoid are:
- The brand name diamond ring is always expensive. Make a photo of the ring you like and take it to a local jeweler to find its identical twin for a lower price.
- Going to the mall or retail store means you will pay more for the same ring you can order online, on the official site.
- Don’t pick a D colorless or IF clarity diamond just because it has the highest quality. By doing so, you will overpay for the qualities you can only brag about without anybody seeing the difference.
- Insisting on the high carat value and sacrificing the quality of cut can result in the purchase of a big, yet less quality diamond ring.
Summary
You can find a 1-carat diamond ring anywhere from $4,000 to $10,000 range, depending on the gem’s 4C attributes and other factors. You can save money if you decide to pick a nearly colorless diamond with VS1 or S1 clarity. Always keep in mind that the local jewelers and the online stores have lower prices than the brand name retail stores.
