1 Carat Diamond Price Charts (Data From 4 Leading Brands)

The perfect 1 carat diamond...

When purchasing a diamond, you’ll quickly notice some popular choices people often pick. Shape, color, and other factors tend to follow fashion trends, but one trend has been around for decades.

The popularity of the 1 carat diamond is hard to miss,💎 as many buyers search for that perfect carat weight with just the right specs.

• Why are 1 carat diamonds so popular?
• And how can you find the right 1 carat diamond without sacrificing quality?

Let’s discuss how to purchase a 1 carat diamond smartly and within your budget.

ADVERTISEMENT

What is a 1 carat diamond and what does it look like?

So what constitutes a 1 carat diamond?

In short, it’s a diamond that weighs 1 carat or 200 milligrams. Do not get a diamond’s size confused with its carat weight: a higher weight does not always mean a bigger diamond! Different cuts and styles can mean different sizes for 1 carat diamonds even with the same shape. Here is an example of what a round 1 carat looks like:👇🏻

Standard credit card (85.60×53.98mm)

U.S. Lincoln cent (Diameter: 19.05 mm)

5 euro cent coin (Diameter: 21.25mm)

1.0 ct 6.4mm

Why are 1 carat diamonds so popular?

So what makes 1 carat diamonds unique?

Retailers everywhere portray the classic image of a 1 carat round diamond, and the idea has become synonymous with engagement jewelry, simplicity, and flawlessness.

Humans crave perfection, and 1 carat diamonds have a precise, well-rounded weight. In addition to their perfect weight, these gemstones are relatively affordable for an engagement ring while still looking rather large on most fingers. Whether you choose a 1 carat round brilliant or a step cut emerald, each stone will flatter the wearer’s hand according to its shape.✨

Finally, many believe a 1 carat stone is just large enough to appear pricey without becoming gaudy.😎 For those wearers who prefer a refined, understated look, anything larger than a 1 carat stone can seem exaggerated.

ADVERTISEMENT

How are 1 carat diamonds priced?

Deciding the price of a 1 carat diamond isn’t straightforward. In reality, there are several factors that play into the price of your diamond!

Per carat pricing

First, retailers price diamonds per carat. Carat weight dictates a gem’s starting price, and typically the higher the carat weight the pricier the diamond. Currently, the average price of a 1 carat diamond of any quality starts around $2,000-2,500.

Don’t forget the other Cs!

While carat weight is a big factor in diamond pricing, you may come across several 1 carat stones that vary wildly in price. So why is one 1 carat diamond $2,000 while another is $20,000? The answer: the other 4Cs!

Carat weight is just part of the pricing equation. Cut, color, and clarity play into a diamond’s value, as they dictate how brilliantly it will shine, its colorlessness, or how many inclusions may be visible. Diamonds with the same specs may even have varying prices due to differing inclusions, blemishes, or other factors visible to the naked eye.

Involving all of the 4Cs into your diamond buying decision is crucial to finding the best value for your new jewelry piece or gemstone collection.

Evaluating the other Cs of a 1 carat diamond

Assessing the other 3Cs while diamond shopping may help you better understand what qualities you need and the factors that drive 1 carat diamond prices.

Here are our suggestions for a 1 carat diamond:📝

Cut: Excellent / Ideal

Cut dictates a diamond’s sparkle, and it’s important to consider if you want a stone with brilliant fire. The GIA gives the “Excellent” grade to diamonds with an exceptional cut, and we highly recommend sticking to gems with this rating. While lower quality color and clarity may not be as visible with the naked eye, how much your diamond scintillates will be. It may drive up the price, but it’s a worthwhile investment in beauty and shine.

Color: GIA G - I Color Grade

You can spend tons of money getting a D or E color grade for your diamond, but ultimately it may not pay off. In truth, most people cannot tell the difference between diamonds rated as Colorless and Near Colorless. As such, a G to I grade diamond will typically appear white to the naked eye.

Clarity: VS2 grade or higher

Clarity can be tricky, as not all inclusions and blemishes are exactly the same. To ensure you purchase a diamond with few inclusions visible to the naked eye, stick with VS2 quality gems or above. They will still have inclusions, but they tend to be less visible within the table of the diamond. After all, the table is where you’ll spend most of your gazing time!

If a VS2 is still a bit out of budget, look for SI1 or SI2 colored gems that have inclusions closer to the edges of the stone. You can get a better idea of where inclusions are located with a jeweler’s loupe or a copy of the diamond’s grading report.

ADVERTISEMENT

1 carat diamond prices

Diamond prices can vary among retailers.

Using the 4Cs we recommended above, let's look at 1 carat diamond prices across retailers to see what these gems typically cost.

We analyzed 10 different diamond shapes with data from James Allen, Blue Nile, Brilliant Earth, and White Flash.

1 carat diamond price charts by shape*

Round diamonds are the most popular shape, and 75% of diamonds purchased are round. However, it can be helpful to understand the average prices of each diamond shape so you can make an educated decision regarding which styles you’d like to pursue.

Here are 10 popular diamond shapes and their prices.

ADVERTISEMENT

Choosing wisely: Additional thoughts about carat weight and price

Seeking a diamond that is just below the next whole or half carat weight can be a good way to save money in certain instances. However, because diamond prices are a product of emotion and demand, it’s becoming increasingly not easy to find a good deal this way.

Nowadays, more buyers are searching for diamonds with weights like .4, .9, 1.9, etc. Because demand is high, prices fluctuate to accommodate this change, and cost differences between these diamonds and those with whole or half carat weights are becoming negligible. As such, do not limit your search to diamonds that are .1 off from a standard carat. Do your research, know what qualities you are looking for in a diamond, and make educated buying decisions from there.

ADVERTISEMENT

Extra Info: An overview of setting prices for 1 carat diamonds

Unlike diamond prices, setting prices are relatively straightforward. Retailers base setting prices on the metal used for the piece, the complexity of the design, and whether it includes any side or accent stones.

It’s important to buy a setting from a reputable retailer, and many of the online shops listed above sell beautiful, quality settings that will last for years to come. For instance, James Allen and Blue Nile offer affordable yet elegant settings for your diamond!

You can find a simple or intricate solitaire setting in white, rose, or yellow gold (or a combination of them!) for between around $400 and $1,200. The same basic design costs a bit more in platinum, ranging from around $550 to $1,500.

In contrast, halo settings cost more, with gold settings ranging from about $1,000 to $4,000. Platinum halos are also around $1,000 to $5,000. Be careful: the amount of diamonds or types of metals used in a halo setting can swiftly increase the price. Take a look at this piece that costs almost $10,000!

Use the 4Cs to guide you

When choosing a setting, let the 4Cs guide you to your ideal ring.

For instance, a solitaire setting intensifies a diamond’s fire whether its cut is Good or Excellent, as it elevates the diamond and allows more light to pass through the stone. If you’d rather get as much brilliance as possible but can’t afford high-quality diamonds, opt for a three stone style or halo setting to enhance a piece’s brilliance. Additionally, carefully chosen side stones can mask a diamond’s lesser qualities while still showing off its sparkle.

Metal color matters as well. Yellow and rose gold can mask the color of lower quality diamonds, whereas white metals like platinum, palladium, and white gold can elevate near colorless diamonds to a colorless shine. If you cannot afford a perfect diamond, choose a setting that will amplify your stone’s positive features!

ADVERTISEMENT

Finding the right diamond for you

A 1 carat diamond is a timeless, elegant way to profess your love.❤️ The perfection of a rounded carat, coupled with a beautiful setting, is sure to dazzle your loved one for years to come. If you’re on a budget, consider using our suggestions on how to save by choosing the right color, cut, and clarity for your diamond piece.

If you’re unfamiliar with the 4Cs, consider reading our introductory article for more information. Or, try our individual cut, color, clarity, and carat content for a deeper understanding of each characteristic.