The price you should expect to pay per carat for a diamond varies significantly, ranging from hundreds to tens of thousands of dollars, depending primarily on its weight and other quality characteristics. There isn't a single "exact" price, as diamonds are valued based on a combination of factors known as the 4Cs: Carat, Cut, Color, and Clarity.
While the total price of a diamond increases with carat weight, the price per carat also typically increases disproportionately as the diamond gets larger, reflecting the rarity of higher carat stones. For example, a 1-carat diamond will generally cost more per carat than a 0.50-carat diamond, even if their other qualities are similar.
Diamond Price Per Carat Breakdown
For round brilliant cut diamonds, prices per carat can vary widely as shown in the table below (updated December 2024):
| Diamond Carat Weight | Price (Per Carat, Round Brilliant Cut) | Total Price Range |
|---|---|---|
| 0.50 carat | $990 – $5,000 | $495 – $2,500 |
| 1.00 carat | $2,000 – $14,000 | $2,000 – $14,000 |
| 1.50 carat | $3,300 – $24,000 | $4,400 – $30,000 |
| 2.00 carat | $4,200 – $29,000 | $8,400 – $58,000 |
Factors Influencing Per Carat Price
Beyond carat weight, the exact amount you pay per carat is heavily influenced by the diamond's:
- Cut: How well a diamond is cut determines its sparkle and brilliance. An excellent cut can command a higher price per carat.
- Color: Diamonds are graded on a color scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). Colorless diamonds are rarer and thus more expensive per carat.
- Clarity: This refers to the absence of inclusions (internal flaws) and blemishes (external flaws). Diamonds with fewer and smaller imperfections have higher clarity grades and a higher price per carat.
Therefore, when determining how much to pay per carat, consider all these quality aspects in relation to your budget and desired appearance. A diamond with a higher color and clarity grade will be significantly more expensive per carat than one of the same carat weight but lower quality grades.
