Now that you know you want to buy a diamond, you may be asking the very real and very important "how much is it going to cost?"
We can't set your budget for you, but we can provide this general diamond price guide that demonstrates what type of diamond you can expect to find within various price ranges. Please note that this is a general guideline, every jeweler sets their own prices and they do vary.
the Gemstone Option
If you're on a very tight budget, you may wish to consider purchasing a gemstone (such as sapphire, ruby, tanzanite). Often you can get higher quality and larger stones for the same price you'd pay for a smaller, lower quality diamond.
However, if this diamond purchase is for an engagement ring, we recommend using all means of stealth at your disposal to determine if your beloved will be happy with a gemstone engagement ring. This is not a question where you want to "guess" at the answer. For many women, the only "engagement ring" is the "diamond engagement ring."
 Round BrilliantAll prices are based on the "round brilliant" shape. You will find variances in price dependent on the diamond shape. For example, if you have an "emerald cut" diamond and a "round brilliant" that are the same size and quality, the "emerald cut" will generally be less expensive. View samples of the most popular diamond shapes. |
- $125 - $500
This is the minimum you can expect to spend for adiamond engagement ring, and we do mean minimum -- if this is your price range, you may wish to consider the "gemstone option."Carat Weight: 0.15 - 0.25
Diamond Quality: Unknown (no AGS/GIA certificate)
Setting: 10-14K gold (white or yellow)Recommended Stores
- SZUL (Editor's Pick)
- Palm Beach Jewelry (gemstones)
- $500 - $750
Similar to the $125 - $500 range with slightly larger stones and the occasional 18K setting. In this price range, gemstones, rather than diamonds, are usually a better value.Carat Weight: 0.20 - 0.37
Diamond Quality: Unknown (no AGS/GIA certificate)
Setting: 10-14K gold (white or yellow);occasionally 18K goldRecommended Stores
- SZUL (Editor's Pick)
- $750 - $1,000
This is the range where you start to see value for your diamond dollars. The stones are still on the small end of the scale, but you can find AGS/GIA certified stones (and thereby know the value of what you are buying). Additionally, you can find 18K gold settings and platinum settings.Carat Weight: 0.30 - 0.5
Diamond Quality: Varied.
Setting: 14-18K gold (white or yellow), PlatinumRecommended Stores
- $1,000 - $2,000
High quality stones in the 0.30 - 0.57 range, mid- to high quality stones in the 0.58 - 0.75 range. AGS/GIA certified stones available, as well as 18K gold settings and platinum settings.Carat Weight: 0.30 - 0.75
Diamond Quality: Varied.
Setting: 14-18K gold (white or yellow), PlatinumRecommended Stores
- $2,000 - $3,500
Absolutely exquisite quality diamonds in the low carat end of this range, but use caution when considering the larger stones. Make sure you are familiar with the "Four Cs" of diamond qualitybefore purchasing. The 1-carat stones in this price range often have one or more of the following: visible inclusions (flaws), mediocre color quality ("faint yellow"), and/or a lower grade "cut" (which affects the "brilliance" of the diamond).Carat Weight: 0.40 - 1.00
Diamond Quality: Varied.
Setting: 14-18K gold (white or yellow), PlatinumRecommended Stores
- $3,500 - $5,000
This is the lowest price range where you can reasonably expect to find some nice quality 1-carat stones. The smaller stones in this range will generally be of greater value and quality, but you can find some "lovely-to-the-eye" 1-carat diamonds.Carat Weight: 0.50 - 1.50
Diamond Quality: Varied.
Setting: 18K gold (white or yellow), PlatinumRecommended Store
- $5,000 - $7,500
Very nice quality diamonds in the low carat end (0.80 - 1.0) of this range, but use caution when considering the larger stones. Make sure you are familiar with the "Four Cs" of diamond qualitybefore purchasing. The 2-carat stones in this price range often have one or more of the following: visible inclusions (flaws), mediocre color quality ("faint yellow"), and/or a lower grade "cut" (which affects the "brilliance" of the diamond).Carat Weight: 0.80 - 2.00
Diamond Quality: Varied.
Setting: 18K gold (white or yellow), PlatinumRecommended Store
- $7,500 - $10,000
You can find some spectacular diamonds in this price range -- big and beautiful. The best value is generally found in the 1.00 - 1.50 carat range. You'll find less spectacular, but still absolutely lovely diamonds in the 1.51 - 1.75 carat range. The 1.76 - 2.50 carat stones in this price range often have one or more of the following: visible inclusions (flaws), mediocre color quality ("faint yellow"), and/or a lower grade "cut" (which affects the "brilliance" of the diamond).Carat Weight: 1.00 - 2.50
Diamond Quality: Varied.
Setting: 18K gold (white or yellow), PlatinumRecommended Store
- $10,000 - $15,000
This is the lowest price range where you can reasonably expect to find some nice quality 2-carat stones (and the 1-carat stones in this price range will stir the heart of the toughest critic). The smaller stones in this range will generally be of greater value and quality, but you can find some "lovely-to-the-eye" 2-carat diamonds. The 2.20 - 3.00 carat stones in this price range often have one or more of the following: visible inclusions (flaws), mediocre color quality ("faint yellow"), and/or a lower grade "cut" (which affects the "brilliance" of the diamond).
NOTE: While you can expect to find a varied selection of up to 2.8 carat stones, greater carat weights are less abundant and you will have a relatively small number of diamonds from which to choose.Carat Weight: 1.00 - 3.00
Diamond Quality: Varied.
Setting: 18K gold (white or yellow), PlatinumRecommended Store
- $15,000 - $20,000
The one carat diamonds in this price range tend to be the "Best of the Best," and are generally diamonds with the highest possible grade in one or more of the following: color, cut, and clarity. You can also expect to find very nice quality stones up to 2.50 carats. The 2.51 - 3.00 carat stones in this price range often have one or more of the following: visible inclusions (flaws), mediocre color quality ("faint yellow"), and/or a lower grade "cut" (which affects the "brilliance" of the diamond).
NOTE: While you can expect to find a varied selection of up to 2.8 carat stones, greater carat weights are less abundant and you will have a relatively small number of diamonds from which to choose.Carat Weight: 1.00 - 3.00
Diamond Quality: Varied.
Setting: 18K gold (white or yellow), PlatinumRecommended Store
- $20,000 - $30,000
In this price range, you can expect to find excellent quality stones up to 2.80 carats. The 2.81 - 3.00 carat stones in this price range often have one or more of the following: visible inclusions (flaws), mediocre color quality ("faint yellow"), and/or a lower grade "cut" (which affects the "brilliance" of the diamond).
NOTE: While you can expect to find a varied selection of up to 2.8 carat stones, greater carat weights are less abundant and you will have a relatively small number of diamonds from which to choose in each price range.Carat Weight: 1.70 - 3.00
Diamond Quality: Varied.
Setting: 18K gold (white or yellow), PlatinumRecommended Store
- $30,000 - $60,000
In this price range, you can expect to find excellent quality stones up to 2.80 carats.
NOTE: While you can expect to find a varied selection of up to 2.8 carat stones, greater carat weights are less abundant and you will have a relatively small number of diamonds from which to choose in each price range.Carat Weight: 2.00 - 3.00
Diamond Quality: Varied.
Setting: 18K gold (white or yellow), PlatinumRecommended Store
- $60,000 and up
Diamonds in this price range tend to be greater than 3-carats (though not always) and will require a customized setting (standard settings generally accommodate up to three carats).Recommended Store
This guide is a general "diamond price guide," providing loose guidelines as to what type of diamond (size and quality) you can expect find within various price ranges. This price guide is not an official "diamond pricing index," but rather a general chart to retail diamond prices.
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