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1 Carat Diamond – The Expert Buying Guide

Updated on August 28, 2024

With over 40 years of expertise, Diamond Registry’s CEO and owner, Nissan Perla, is your trusted guide in the diamond-buying world. Recognized by prestigious publications like The Washington Post and Chicago Tribune, Nissan’s extensive knowledge and experience in evaluating, buying, and selling diamonds are unparalleled. Our commitment to integrity, transparency, and delivering exceptional value ensures that you make an informed decision when acquiring your timeless treasure. Choose Diamond Registry for personalized guidance, education, and a curated selection of the finest quality diamonds, backed by decades of industry expertise and dedication to your satisfaction.

Table of Contents

A 1-carat diamond or 1-carat diamond engagement ring typically costs between $3,500 to $5,000, with an average price of $4,200. However, diamond prices can range from $1,300 to $16,500+ depending on factors like cut, color, clarity, and shape. Round diamonds command the highest prices, while fancy shapes like princess or emerald cuts are often more affordable. For the best value, consider VS2 clarity grade and H-J diamond color. Our interactive pricing calculator lets you explore costs across different diamond characteristics.

The most popular diamond size, or why you have to fight for your 1 carat diamond engagement ring

That’s likely to surprise, but a 1 carat engagement ring is among the most appraised carat sizes for clients. Just try coming to your local store and ask for a 1 ct engagement ring, and you’ll see how many people will start fighting for this jewelry with you. Especially if you managed to find a center stone of exceptional quality.

1 carat diamond price list

Price per carat in USD

1 carat diamond i.f. vvs1 vvs2 vs1 vs2 si1 si2
D 21633 18488 15820 14104 12580 10007 8005
E 18525 16910 14440 13205 11685 9595 7695
F 16031 14711 12636 11882 10656 9053 7261
G 13191 12337 11008 10344 9775 8636 7023
H 10651 10176 9415 8939 8559 8084 6752
I 8618 8239 7765 7481 7197 6913 6156
J 7185 6898 6610 6419 6131 5844 5461
K 6112 5826 5539 5348 5062 4680 4393

But why 1 carat diamond is so popular? To provide a short answer, it’s

  1. 1. More beautiful when incorporated in engagement rings, 
  2. 2. Cheaper than other carat categories, 
  3. 3. Easier to find if you’re searching for the top quality. 

Let’s understand each of these arguments about 1 carat diamonds better with the details and examples. So, after reading this, you’ll know you found your one and only diamond.

Price per carat in USD

1 carat diamond i.f. $ vvs1 $ vvs2 $ vs1 $ vs2 $ si1 $ si2 $
D 14772 13247 11817 10769 9721 8386 6862
E 13205 12065 10640 9975 9215 7980 6555
F 9680 9300 8921 8541 7972 7307 6074
G 8179 7798 7513 7323 7037 6752 5801
H 8179 7798 7513 7323 7037 6752 5801
I 6818 6534 6250 6061 5871 5682 5209
J 5365 5173 4982 4790 4694 4503 4311
K 4489 4298 4107 3916 3820 3629 3438

How much does it cost?

A 5 carat diamond weighs 1.0 gram and a Round Brilliant Cut has a diameter of 11.0mm. Diamond Pricing: the prices per carat for 5 carat stones range from $9,350 to $147,400 PER CARAT. From 5 carats and up, diamonds are large enough to be cut into Heart Shape diamonds. Because of the Heart’s complex shape it will look more beautiful when the stone is larger. But no matter which shape you prefer, this is an extraordinary stone with a sparkle that is perfect for those very special occasions.

3 carat diamond size comparison for rings

How much does 1 carat diamond cost?

The exact pricing for a 1 carat diamond has a wide range: it can start from $2,500 and reach $16,000. All the elements of 4C’s (including clarity, color, cut quality and the shape of the diamond) are important. Among these components, diamond cut quality is the most influential aspect for a 1 carat diamond that determines its price of a diamond and its beauty.

A 1 carat diamond is the jewel of 200 milligrams weight. Although there are numerous characteristics of this natural diamond (the way it’s shaped, if the diamond is brilliant, and if it has a GIA certificate), that’s the only real parameter to evaluate it. Because the size of a diamond can be very tricky. One diamond may appear as a huge piece, while another gemstone can seem small but be heavy in reality.

Diamond clarity grades include SI1, SI2, VS1, VS2, VVS2, and other types. In addition, a diamond can be shaped differently – including oval, marquise, heart, and even rose options that make jewelry special. These factors contribute to the wide range of diamond prices you’ll encounter.

All these things people consider to refine their search for a diamond. But the most important thing is still the diamond cut. Many customers love choosing a 1 ct engagement ring because it elongates their fingers and makes the center diamond appear larger than it seems. In addition, an excellent cut helps reveal the clarity range and the top quality of your ring.

Finally, the weight category is usually more important than the exact carat number in the diamond. For example, the visual difference between 1 carat diamond and 0.95 carat diamond is almost unnoticeable, but the discount you can receive for choosing the latter option can be over 30%! In this case, the weight category difference comes into action and plays in your team, offering a lower price for a similar look.

Why is a 1 carat diamond engagement ring considered beautiful? 

Many girls want a 1 carat diamond in their engagement ring because the diamond of this weight looks beautiful there. No matter which ring design you’re searching for, the brilliant diamond of one carat can perfectly fit it. Several fashion designers have already incorporated this diamond into yellow gold bands, various types of colored jewelry, and rings with a diamond halo.

Also, the possible reason behind the wide popularity of 1-carat diamonds is their affordability. The existence of one-carat diamond engagement rings makes it possible for many people to search for a low budget diamond. This availability spreads happiness and contributes to the general perception of the outstanding beauty of the diamond in this weight category. Once introduced to the market, the diamond in one-carat weight category helped many people get access to the engagement ceremony of their dreams! And the variety in shape, size, color, cut, clarity, range, and quality made it possible to create customized solutions and unique jewelry designs.

Which factors affect a 1 carat diamond pricing? 

Generally, it’s hard to design a diamond calculator that will reveal all the peculiarities and reflect all the fluctuations in the diamond industry. Nevertheless, there exist several stable factors that influence the 1 carat diamond ring evaluation under any circumstances. Among the key elements that contribute to the final bill for a 1 carat diamond, there are:

  1. Color
  2. Clarity
  3. Cut
  4. Shape
  5. Certification
  6. Fluorescence
 

Let’s take a closer look at each of these factors and how they affect the worth of a 1 carat diamond engagement ring.

fancy 1 carat diamonds

How color can change the cost of a 1 carat diamond ring 

In diamond’s 4Cs, the color is known as one of the most determining factors for the appearance of a 1 carat diamond ring. In general, the specific color and its intensity degree change the attractiveness of a specific diamond for buyers. The greater a yellow tint in a gemstone is, the less is its worth. So, make sure you’ve chosen the right color and it’s accurately visible in a diamond of your choice – if it’s white, you can’t confuse it with a yellow gemstone. And if it’s yellow, the color is saturated enough to look beautiful.

The gradation of color starts from D (which refers to the completely colorless diamond) and reaches Z (that indicates the very visible color tint – usually brown and yellow).

Commonly, the colorless (or white) diamond is the most expensive choice. Because of that, some observers recommend choosing H color grade. Slightly beyond the “perfect” white range, the diamonds in this line offer the best value for money. Choose them to ensure you’ve saved enough in color to get the best deal for a 1 carat diamond.

Colored 1 carat diamonds

How clarity can change the cost of a 1 carat diamond ring 

Clarity makes it easier to distinguish a truly valuable 1 carat diamond engagement ring. Giving the diamond a quality range – including grades like SI1, VS1, VVS2, or VS2 – the clarity parameter ensures you’ll get the real value for money. The flawless diamond with a GIA certificate will be more expensive than a dirty random diamond – which is quite obvious. In a 1 carat diamond ring, the grades of clarity can be insufficient and dramatic – especially when it comes to the difference between FW (flawless) and slightly imperfect (SI2) degrees. The better clarity makes the diamond more beautiful.

And when it comes to the best diamond you can get, the perfect clarity to choose is VS2. Only this specific clarity indicator can make it comfortable for your wallet to pay for the 1 carat diamond engagement ring. However, you should look at all the peculiarities of the exact diamond you’ve chosen. Even if it’s the fair choice of white color and VS2 clarity, not all the imperfections look alike – and the specifics of their composition matter in making one diamond.

1 carat diamond clarity

How cut can change the cost of a 1 carat diamond ring

Cut can dramatically change the final payment for your 1 carat diamond engagement ring. If you want the most expensive cut, it will be around $4,500 to $6,000. The less popular radiant and princess cuts can help you save some money, making the bill $4,500 maximum. Anyway, the inclusion of cut in 1 carat diamond ring price calculation is important because it helps understand how the brilliance of your diamond affects the amount of money you pay for ownership.

Depending on the specifics of the light return, you can get a shallow, ideal, and deep cut. In this case, the gemstone inside your 1 carat diamond engagement ring can be shiny and sparkly, instead of a rough diamond that is blurry and non-appealing. This increases the importance of diamond cut parameter dramatically. In this context, the truly perfect cut can even make your diamond look larger. And generally, the quality changes are very visible in different cuts of a diamond, so you should always pay attention to this factor if you want to make a good deal with a diamond purchase.

1 carat diamond cut

How shape can change the cost of a 1 carat diamond ring

If fancy, the shape of a diamond can make you pay several times more for a 1 carat diamond engagement ring then you initially planned. Commonly confused with the diamond cut, the shape dimension is also influential enough to affect the sum paid for a diamond. For example, jewelers estimate the hear shape from $11,000 to $14,000 – but that is commonly the most expensive and the most conservative choice to make. To get cheaper options, take a look at princess, oval, pear, and marquise cuts in 1 carat diamonds. In addition, some other diamond shapes become chiper due to the market fluctuations. Asscher and emerald, for example, are popular among vintage fans, while radiant and cushion diamonds are simply not in trend now. So, make a good choice while buying a 1 carat diamond ring of your dreams and don’t neglect the role of shape in calculating the diamond appraisement.

How GIA certification can change the cost of a 1 carat diamond ring

Wherever you’ve chosen to buy a 1 carat diamond engagement ring, always ask for a GIA certificate for each stone you see. Being a passport for your diamond, GIA certification gives the precise picture of where your diamond came from and what is its authenticity. In GIA certificates of 1 carat diamonds, the most important part to pay attention to is the certificate number. That’s the information you can take. And don’t forget to ask your diamond expert to check the origin of your diamond!

 

1-carat-diamond-gia-certification

How brand markup can change the cost of a 1 carat diamond ring

It’s not a secret that many brands add extra 50-70% to the bill for a 1 carat diamond engagement ring to pay for their services. So be ready to add at least twice more than usual when you come to big stores like Tiffany. The louder the title, the more expensive their diamonds are. You won’t pay for the name only – some things to get paid for refer to the jeweler policy: like buy-back, warranty, copyright, and other protection. These things dramatically increase the final cost of even the simplest diamond you have. To save this money for yourself, refer to online retailers like Diamond Registry.

Fluorescence: A Factor in Diamond Pricing

There is a secret element in determining how much a 1 carat diamond is worth, titled fluorescence. It refers to the ability of a diamond to glow under UV light. Commonly referred to as a “not-that-good” thing, it can help you reduce the diamond price from 2 to 15%. So, that’s a great opportunity to make the best of a 1 carat diamond ring purchase. Medium fluorescence can be a great way to get a lower price without sacrificing much in terms of appearance.

1 carat diamond ring

How much is a 1 carat diamond worth? How to know the exact 1 carat diamond ring price? 

If you’re interested in knowing a 1 carat diamond worth before taking it, we recommend saving around $5,000 to make the necessary purchase. Generally, the price range is much wider, but this sum is the best ratio between worth, quality, and beauty of a 1 carat diamond ring. However, if you want to get the really high quality for money, try to double this sum. This extra sum will be enough to allow yourself fancy add-ons – like a brilliant heart-shaped gemstone, the extreme quality and clarity, or an ability to choose the option that ensures the whitest color of engagement jewelry possible.

However, be careful and make an informed decision about any diamond you want to buy! In the industry, it’s easy to get in trouble and purchase a fake diamond by mistake. To see the real value of your 1 carat diamond ring, do not hesitate to ask for GIA certification and the opinion of experts – either online or in a jewelry store. And, of course, dedicate significant attention to the diamond’s attractiveness – the perfect symmetry and fluorescence are a must.

Here are some workable solutions in case you want to save some money while buying a 1 carat diamond:

  1. Ask for a slightly less than 1 carat in terms of diamond weight. Visually, 0.95 carat looks the same – but for your wallet, this can save a fortune! (You can also use this trick with diamonds more than one carat also).
  2. Divide the total weight of 1 carat diamond ring between several smaller diamonds. A ring with four 0.25 carat diamonds is cheaper than a solitaire 1 carat ring. The perfect setting to get the maximum of this tactic is to use halo setting in your ring around a 1 carat diamond. Think of it!
  3. Don’t be strict about color grades. Sacrificing some points in the range from a flawless D-color diamond can be the determining factor in making you do a purchase. Especially, if your design includes a halo of smaller diamond incrust.
  4. Consider the variety of shapes to make a solid choice. Ask for other options instead of traditionally shaped ones – and you’ll save at least one-tenth on an average 1 carat diamond engagement ring. For your consideration, pay attention to oval and princess options.
  5. Choose the color that will help you save some money by tolerating lower letter grade (like J and K). The best choices in the line of a 1 carat diamond engagement ring today are yellow gold and rose gold.
  6. Consider lab-grown diamonds as an alternative to natural diamonds. These stones have the same physical and chemical properties as mined diamonds but often come at a lower price point.

Typical mistakes made while buying a 1 carat diamond engagement ring

Although the task of buying a 1 carat diamond is not the hardest one in the world, people frequently get into trouble with that decision. To help you manage this problem, here’s the list of most widespread problems during the purchase process (and how to avoid them):

  1. Lack of understanding of how 4Cs exactly influence a diamond. For instance, you can easily sacrifice color and clarity in a 1 carat diamond ring. The tone grades and internal imperfections are not visible to the naked eye generally. Thus, give much importance to cut and the exact carat number.
  2. Neglecting the importance of cut while making approximate calculations of a 1 carat diamond. Given the fact that the specific cut choice may reduce the size of the raw diamond significantly, this invisible factor may affect the value of the gemstone dramatically.
  3. Overestimating the factor of carat size in 1 carat diamond appraisal. Each gemstone is a number of several characteristics taken into consideration while estimating the number of dollars you paid. At the same time, carat is surely the most visible element in the 4C classification. And the most impactful relatively.
  4. Trying to save money by neglecting GIA certification. The identity and the real value of your diamond are not a matter of compromise while calculating 1 carat diamond pricing.

Additional Considerations for Your shopping 1 Carat Diamond Ring

When shopping for your dream ring, consider these additional factors:

  1. Ring design: Choose between a classic solitaire ring or more elaborate designs with side stones or three-stone settings.
  2. Precious metal: Select the type of metal for your ring band, such as platinum, white gold, yellow gold, or rose gold.
  3. Ring size: Ensure you know the correct ring size to avoid resizing later.
  4. Wedding bands: Consider how your engagement ring will pair with future wedding bands.
  5. Warranty and returns: Look for jewelers offering a lifetime warranty and a full refund within a certain number of days of purchase.
  6. Special order options: Some jewelers can create custom designs or source specific diamonds as a special order.
  7. Lab diamonds: Consider lab-grown diamonds as an alternative to natural diamonds for a lower price point.
  8. Black diamond rings or black moissanites: For a unique look, consider these alternatives to traditional white diamonds.

Buying an engagement ring is a modern way to express your love and commitment. Take your time, do your research, and choose a ring that fits your style, budget, and values. Many jewelers offer flexible payment options, including monthly payment plans, to help make your dream ring a reality.

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Client Reviews

Rebecca Schott
Rebecca Schott
Nissan, David and his team were extremely accommodating, understanding and patient with our purchase. They took the upmost care to find the best solution for our needs and went above and beyond normal ‘customer service’ standards. I have absolutely no qualms recommending their products and services. Both were absolutely flawless. I will continue to sing them praises and will most definitely purchase from them again in the future. Thank you again!
Gershom Menachem
Gershom Menachem
Great team of diamond experts who show personal care for the client’s needs and aftersales service. They really go the extra mile to make it happen no matter the challenges ahead. Rush orders, international shipping, upgrade service, jewelry repair, large diamonds, small items, precious stones. Very honest and open information to the clients. You will feel like talking to a friend.
Thom P.
Thom P.
Bought a beautiful stone here for an engagement ring. I was a little apprehensive since you’re buying something unseen. But Cid made it easy. In fact, Nissan, the owner also gave a call to make me more comfortable. They sent me the stone to take to a local jeweler with only my Amex in case I bailed on them.

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