The short answer
Lab grown diamonds cost far less than mined diamonds of the same size and grade, and their prices have come down a lot as growing methods improved. That is good news for buyers. It also means old price charts online are often out of date.
The numbers on this page are starting points, not quotes. Every diamond is priced on its own, from its grading report, and the final price is quoted for the exact stone you choose at your viewing. Use the ranges to plan a budget, then let the stones on the tray decide the rest.
Sample starting prices by carat
These are sample starting prices for loose round lab grown diamonds with good color and clarity and a strong cut, each with an IGI or GIA report. Stones above these grades, or in larger sizes within each weight, cost more.
| Carat weight | Starting from | Starting price per carat |
|---|---|---|
| 1 ct | From $640 | From $640 |
| 1.5 ct | From $850 | From $570 |
| 2 ct | From $1,100 | From $550 |
| 3 ct | From $1,900 | From $630 |
The setting is priced separately, so a finished ring is the stone plus the setting. Our current starting prices for finished pieces are below.
| Piece | Starting from |
|---|---|
| Engagement rings | From $990 |
| Wedding bands | From $390 |
| Stud earrings | From $290 |
| Tennis bracelets | From $1,250 |
| Necklaces and pendants | From $450 |
What moves the price
Carat weight
Weight is the biggest single factor. Prices jump at the round numbers people search for, such as 1, 1.5, 2 and 3 carats. A stone just under one of those marks, say 0.95 or 1.9 carats, can cost noticeably less and looks the same size to the eye. Ask us to include a few stones just below your target weight.
Cut
Cut decides how much light comes back out of the stone. It is the grade you see most clearly. A well cut diamond looks brighter and often larger than a poorly cut one of the same weight. This is the last place to save money.
Color
Color grades run from D, colorless, down the alphabet. In lab grown diamonds the top grades are common, so the price gap between D and G is smaller than in mined stones. Most people cannot tell D from G once a stone is set, especially in yellow or rose gold.
Clarity
Clarity measures tiny internal marks. Grades such as VS1 and VS2 are clean to the eye in most shapes and cost less than VVS or flawless grades. Step cuts like the emerald show more, so they deserve a higher clarity floor.
Shape
Round brilliants usually cost the most per carat, because more of the rough crystal is lost in cutting. Ovals, cushions, princess and other fancy shapes are often priced lower for the same weight and grades. See our shapes guide for how each one looks.
Grading report
Every center stone we show comes with an IGI or GIA report. The lab that graded a stone can affect its price a little. Our IGI vs GIA guide explains what each report covers.
Setting and metal
The setting adds to the total. Platinum costs more than 14k gold, and 18k gold sits in between. More small diamonds, as in a halo or pave band, also add cost, and so does detailed hand work on a custom design.
Price per carat, explained
Dealers often talk in price per carat. It is the total price divided by the weight. A 2 carat stone from $1,100 works out from $550 per carat. A 3 carat stone from $1,900 works out from about $630 per carat.
Price per carat is useful for comparing two stones of similar size and grade. It is less useful across sizes, because larger stones are rarer and the per carat figure changes with weight. Compare like with like: same shape, similar weight, similar grades.
Where your budget makes the biggest difference
If you want the most visible beauty for the money, this order works for most people:
- Spend on cut. It drives sparkle and how big the stone looks.
- Choose an eye clean clarity, not a perfect one. VS2 is a sensible floor for most brilliant shapes.
- Stay in the near colorless range rather than paying for D, unless top color matters to you.
- Consider a fancy shape or a weight just under a round number for more size per dollar.
- Pick the setting last, once you know what the stone costs.
An honest word on value
Lab grown diamonds are bought to be worn and loved, not to be resold. Their resale value is low, and prices for new stones have tended to fall as production grows. If holding value is your main goal, a lab grown diamond is not the right purchase. If you want a real diamond, a larger stone or a better grade for the money, it very often is. Our guide to whether lab grown diamonds are real covers the differences plainly.
How pricing works at a viewing
Prices on our site are starting points so you can plan. Nothing is sold online. When you visit, every stone on the tray has its report and its own price, and the setting is priced with it. Before you decide, you see the full price for the exact diamond and setting together, written down.
The easiest way to get real numbers for your budget is to use our loose diamond request. Give a shape, carat range and budget, and we pull a few matching stones with prices for your visit. Then book a viewing at 30 West 47th St, Suite 805, or call us on (732) 581-7932.
