A diamond ring is the perfect symbol of everlasting love with its sparkle capturing the essence of commitment. But with so many options to choose from, including different sizes, colours and styles, navigating the choices can be a bit of a challenge. Plus, with many factors influencing the price, it’s easy to get confused about how much to spend on a diamond ring. Whether you’re purchasing a diamond ring for an engagement, a wedding, as a special gift or simply as a treat for yourself, understanding how diamond rings are priced is key to making an informed and meaningful choice.
In this article, we’ll walk you through diamond ring prices by carat weight, factors that influence the price of a diamond and tips on budgeting for a diamond ring. Dive right in to learn more!
Current Diamond Prices
In 2025, prices for one-carat natural diamonds generally range from $3,836 to $5,823. The price of a diamond is significantly influenced by its shape, cut quality, clarity and colour.
High-grade diamonds with excellent cut, colour and flawless clarity are highly priced due to their rarity and superior brilliance. Meanwhile, diamonds with slight inclusions and lower colour grades offer more budget-friendly options without compromising on beauty.
The popularity of lab-grown diamonds has experienced a surge recently as they are an affordable alternative to the natural ones, although they share similar characteristics. As opposed to their natural counterparts, lab diamonds are created in a controlled and artificial environment.
The average lab-diamond ring price with a one-carat lab diamond is about $1,000, depending on the cut and shape. Typically, these are available in different quality grades.
Prices of Diamonds By Carat Weight
Disclaimer: Based on data generated as of January 2025. Details are subject to change.
Natural Diamonds
| Carat Weight (Ct) | Price Range ($) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 3836 – 5823 |
| 1.5 | 10320 – 13125 |
| 2 | 7660 – 27040 |
| 3 | 26908 – 51610 |
| 4 | 36660 – 100810 |
| 5 | 95964 – 143970 |
Lab-grown Diamonds
| Carat Weight (Ct) | Price Range ($) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 779 – 1381 |
| 1.5 | 1585 – 2672 |
| 2 | 2380 – 3692 |
| 2.5 | 2805 – 5339 |
| 3 | 3870 – 6515 |
| 3.5 | 4140 – 9557 |
| 4 | 6924 – 9692 |
| 5 | 11639 – 16556 |
Now that you’ve got a detailed understanding of the diamond ring cost per carat, let’s explore how different factors influence its value.
Factors That Influence the Value of Diamond Rings
A diamond ring’s worth is shaped by a variety of key factors. Let’s take a closer look at them.
1. Carat Weight
The carat weight significantly affects the price of diamonds. Usually, larger diamonds are rarer compared to the smaller ones, leading them to be more expensive as they have a higher carat weight. It’s essential to understand that as the carat weight of a diamond increases, the price per carat increases too. This way, a one-carat diamond is costlier than two half-carat diamonds of similar quality, as the bigger diamond has a higher price per carat owing to its rarity.
2. Cut
Cut plays an integral role in the aesthetics of a diamond ring. It dictates a diamond’s shine, as the right cut can determine how the diamond reflects light, thus influencing its value. Typically, there are three diamond cuts — the brilliant cut, the step cut and the mixed cut. Brilliant cuts are the most expensive and can be found mostly in round brilliant-cut diamonds.
3. Colour
Even the slightest colour difference in diamonds can drastically change their value. Colourless diamonds are the most sought-after and valuable. However, they are extremely rare. Diamonds are usually graded from D (completely colourless) to Z (yellow to brownish). Here, those in the D to F category are the most expensive.
4. Clarity
Clarity refers to the presence of internal imperfections, known as inclusions, or surface blemishes in a diamond. Flawless diamonds, which are free from any visible imperfections even under magnification, are the most valuable and rare. In contrast, some diamonds have noticeable inclusions that can be seen without any magnification. Most diamonds, however, fall between these extremes, with inclusions that are only detectable under 10x magnification.
5. Shape
Every diamond ring’s journey starts as a rough diamond, which is then cut and polished to get the desired shape, size and brilliance. During this process, the amount of diamond cut off to get the required shape plays an integral role in deciding its value. For instance, the process needed to cut a rough diamond and turn it into a round brilliant cut diamond is different from the process used to get a princess cut. So shapes like princess, oval and cushion usually retain more of the original rough diamond, making them more valuable.
6. Metal and Style
Platinum is the most expensive option for diamond rings, while yellow gold and rose gold are comparatively more affordable. Plus, the setting also determines the price of the ring. Intricate settings such as halo or vintage require better craftsmanship and detailing, making them more expensive.
7. Certification
Where you get the certification significantly affects the price of a diamond ring. For instance, labs such as GIA (Gemological Institute of America) have strict grading standards, so diamonds that have their certification have a higher value.
Now that you’ve got a complete lowdown of what factors affect the average cost of diamond rings, let’s learn if they’re worth investing in.
Investment Potential of Diamonds
Like all other gemstones, investing in diamonds has its share of pros and cons. Let’s explore them.
Pros
- Diamonds are a compact and easily portable investment that you can carry wherever you go.
- Diamonds are inflation-proof as their value also increases during inflation.
- Since these gemstones are super hard and durable, you don’t have to worry about them lasting long.
Cons
- The diamond market is greatly affected by changing trends and consumer preferences. However, with the increasing popularity of lab diamonds, there’s a chance that the value and prices of real diamond rings may be influenced in the long run.
- If you purchase diamond rings without proper certification from well-reputed labs, there’s a risk of paying more for lower-quality diamonds.
- Diamonds don’t have a standardized pricing mechanism, unlike gold.
If you’re wondering whether you should shop for natural diamond rings or simply invest in loose diamonds, we believe that’s a personal choice. But before you decide, it’s important to know that there may be some additional costs involved in getting jewellery made.
Now that you’ve got a good understanding of whether or not you should be investing in diamonds, let’s take a quick look at some handy tips on budgeting for a diamond ring.
Expert Tips On Budgeting For a Diamond Ring
- Set a realistic budget. Focus on what you can afford. Consider your salary, expenses, savings and investments before you make a decision. Since the price of diamond engagement rings is usually higher, make careful consideration before investing in one.
- Pay careful attention to the 4 Cs as they play an important role while budgeting. If you’re trying to save money, go in for diamonds with lesser carat weight and go in for nearly colourless diamonds instead of completely colourless ones.
- Another trick is to zero in on shapes that aren’t very popular. For instance, round diamonds are more expensive owing to their diamond. So instead we suggest you go in for other shapes such as pear, oval or cushion. These will offer better carat weight for the same price.
- Don’t forget hidden costs. Consider the ring setting, insurance expenses and taxes.
- Since the price of lab-grown diamond rings is comparatively less than that of natural diamond rings, you can opt for these if you’re on a budget.
Now that you’ve got some useful tips on budgeting, let’s glance at what to know before buying a diamond ring.
Points To Remember Before Buying a Diamond Ring
1. Know Your Shapes and Cuts
Make sure you exactly know the difference between the shape and cut of diamonds. To make it clear, shape refers to a diamond’s outline when you view the diamond face up. On the other hand, cut refers to how the facets of a diamond are arranged.
2. Look at Diamonds Under Different Lighting
Before you buy a diamond ring, make sure that you see how your ring looks under average lighting conditions. For instance, cheque how it looks under outdoor light or shadows. Since most homes have warm lighting, you should cheque your diamond in similar lighting.
3. Consider the Occasion
The price of diamond wedding rings or engagement rings is usually more than that of regular diamond rings made for everyday, casual wear. So it’s important to pick a diamond ring according to the occasion.
4. Pick a Reputed Jeweller
Since a diamond ring is a major investment, ensure you buy it from a trusted jeweller, like Angara.
Whether you’re into natural diamonds or in the mood to buy lab diamond rings, you can take your pick from Angara’s exquisite collection. So, why wait? Start exploring now.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are custom-designed rings more expensive than pre-designed ones?
Custom-designed rings are generally more expensive than pre-designed ones due to the added costs of personalised design, craftsmanship and labour. Customisation often involves detailed consultations, unique settings and bespoke designs, which can drive up the price. However, the basic diamond ring price depends on factors such as complexity, metal choice and diamond quality.
2. What’s the resale value of a diamond ring?
The resale value of a diamond ring is typically 20% to 60% of its original purchase price, depending on factors such as the diamond’s quality, market demand and whether it has a reputable certification.
