The "best" diamond grade depends on your budget and priorities, but for the best value, look for VS (Very Slightly Included) or SI (Slightly Included) clarity, as inclusions are invisible to the naked eye but significantly cheaper than flawless stones. For top quality, Flawless (FL) or Internally Flawless (IF) are the highest, while VVS (Very, Very Slightly Included) offers excellent quality without the extreme cost. The ideal choice balances the 4Cs (Cut, Clarity, Color, Carat) to find a beautiful, eye-clean diamond.
The easiest way to explain diamond clarity ratings is to list them out from best to worst at 10x magnification:
Because inclusions are more visible in diamonds with larger, open facets, you should pick VS1 over VS2 when choosing diamonds in shapes other than round (particularly in step-cut diamonds such as emerald-cut or Asscher cut).
A 2-carat diamond is considered large compared to the average size of diamonds used for engagement rings. The average diamond size for engagement rings is around 1.0 to 1.5 carats. Therefore, a 2-carat diamond stands out significantly and offers a more pronounced appearance on the finger.
Color Is More Visible In Large Diamonds
If you're buying a diamond under 1 carat, you might consider choosing an I, J, or K color diamond. Going over 1 carat? We recommend H color-grade diamonds or higher. This is because the larger a diamond is, the more likely it is to show any color.
For a $5,000 budget, you can typically get a natural diamond engagement ring with a center stone around 0.75 to 1.0 carat, possibly slightly larger (up to 1.2 ct) in elongated shapes like pear or oval, depending on cut, color, clarity, and the setting's cost, with lab-grown options allowing for much larger (3-4+ carat) stones or alternatives like moissanite offering bigger stones within budget.
Because diamonds reflect white light, colorless diamonds produce the best sparkle and fire. In fact, the more color a diamond has, the less likely it is to reflect white light. And as a result, will produce less sparkle. A D-color diamond is the highest quality, and will offer the greatest sparkle.
For $20,000, you can typically get a significant diamond, often ranging from 1.5 to over 2.5 carats, depending on the Four Cs (Cut, Color, Clarity) and shape, with choices like a 2ct H VS2 or a larger but less perfect 2.5ct I SI1 being common, or even larger lab-grown options. A strategic approach balancing quality (excellent cut, near-colorless) with size allows for a visually stunning, large stone that sparkles brilliantly, rather than overpaying for perfect color/clarity invisible to the naked eye.
One of the most common reasons diamonds lose their shine is the buildup of dirt, oils, and lotions. Over time, these substances can cling to the surface of your diamond rings, earrings, or bracelets, creating a film that dulls their brilliance.
Meghan Markle´s engagement ring is thought to have approximately 3.8 carats in total, with a 3-carat cushion-cut center stone.
A 3 carat diamond, on the other hand, draws more attention and commands space on the hand. A 2 carat diamond falls right in between. It tends to be a favorite for people who want something noticeable without being too flashy.
I3 diamond clarity represents the lowest grade of diamond clarity available.
Taylor Swift's engagement ring features a large, antique Old Mine Brilliant Cut diamond, which is a vintage style with rounded corners, a high crown, and large facets, giving it a soft, candlelit sparkle rather than sharp modern flashes, often described as an elongated cushion shape with a small, open culet. This historical cut, popular in the 18th and 19th centuries, was chosen for its romantic, nostalgic character, perfectly suiting the ring's yellow gold setting with hand-engraved details.
Popularity On The Market
For example, because round diamonds are the most popular and desired diamond shape, a round diamond will fetch a higher price on the secondhand market than, say, a marquise diamond with the exact same attributes. The more popular the diamond shape, the more those diamonds will fetch.
Yes, lab-grown diamonds are real diamonds, possessing the exact same chemical composition (pure carbon), physical properties, and optical characteristics as natural diamonds, just with a different origin story. The only real difference is that one is grown in a laboratory by mimicking Earth's conditions (HPHT or CVD), while the other is mined from the ground, making lab diamonds a more affordable and sustainable choice, though they often have lower resale value.
Color is generally more important than clarity. However, if you go with a lower clarity grade but a higher color grade, you may not be satisfied with the overall look. It's important to strike a balance between the two by consulting a diamond color and clarity scale.
The Aquamarine name comes from the Latin word for seawater and is said to calm waves and keep sailors safe at sea. It is sometimes referred to as a poor man's diamond because of the pale color.
The "3-month ring rule" is an outdated marketing guideline suggesting spending the equivalent of three months' salary on an engagement ring, a concept created by De Beers to boost diamond sales, evolving from earlier one and two-month suggestions. Today, it's widely seen as a myth, with most couples prioritizing personal financial comfort, open communication, and meaningful choices over this arbitrary rule.
Ten years ago, in 2003, a 2.00-carat Fancy Intense Yellow diamond with a VS+ clarity grade cost $5,000 per carat. Today, that same stones goes for $13,500 per carat.
You can spend anywhere from $5,000 to $60,000 or more on a 2 carat diamond, depending on the shape and stone quality. A 2 carat lab made diamond will have a lower price than a natural diamond of the same carat weight.
Among the Kardashian sisters, the most expensive wedding ring belongs to Kim Kardashian, whose husband Kanye West reportedly spent around $4.5 million on a 20-carat emerald-cut diamond ring for her.
Round Brilliant Cut: The Timeless Classic
Because not only are well-cut round diamonds the most brilliant, they're also the most expensive by about 25%. Round brilliant cut diamonds make up about 75% of diamond sales.
Classic Cushion and Round Diamond Trilogy Ring
Meghan's original engagement ring was estimated to be 4.5 carats. The ring consists of a three-carat cushion-cut centre stone, with two round-cut side stones, with each stone being approximately 0.75 carats each.
FAQs