Diamond Prices in 2025: A Complete Buyer’s Guide

When purchasing a diamond, understanding pricing trends and different diamond options is essential. Whether you're searching for a 1-carat diamond ring price or exploring larger diamonds, many factors influence cost—including the diamond type, the 4 Cs (Carat, Cut, Color, Clarity), and the setting.

At Shiree Odiz, we believe in maximizing your budget without compromising on beauty. In this guide, we'll compare natural, clarity-enhanced, and lab-grown diamonds, examine 10-year pricing trends, and explain how gold prices impact your ring’s final cost.

Diamond Prices: Natural vs. Lab-Grown vs. Clarity Enhanced

💎 Natural diamonds are rare, valued for their uniqueness, and hold long-term investment appeal.
💎 Lab-grown diamonds are chemically identical but significantly more affordable.
💎 Clarity-enhanced diamonds (CE) are natural diamonds that undergo treatments to reduce inclusions, offering better value than untreated stones.

🔹 Lab-grown diamonds are 80-85% more affordable than natural diamonds.
🔹 Clarity-enhanced diamonds provide 30-40% savings compared to untreated natural diamonds.

Daniel Setton, Founder & CEO, says:
“The most important three considerations when buying a diamond are: compare like to like, pay only for quality you see, and consult an expert you trust to ensure your diamond is eye-clean and high brilliance—regardless of the ‘on paper’ grading.”

The 4 Cs: How They Impact Diamond Price

1. Carat Weight

Carat weight significantly affects price. Prices don’t increase linearly—they jump at milestone weights like 1, 2, 3 carats, etc.

🔹 A 2-carat diamond isn't just twice the price of a 1-carat diamond—it can be 3-4x more!

2. Cut Quality

A diamond’s cut influences how much it sparkles. Well-cut diamonds cost more but look larger and brighter than poorly cut stones of the same carat weight.

3. Color Grade

Diamonds range from D (colorless) to Z (yellowish/brownish tones).

• D-F: Colorless (most expensive)

• G-H: Near colorless (best value)

• I-J: Slightly tinted (budget-friendly, still beautiful)
  
  

🔹 A well-cut G-H diamond can look just as white as a D diamond but cost thousands less.

4. Clarity

Clarity measures inclusions inside the diamond. Higher clarity = higher price, but many inclusions are microscopic.

• Flawless (FL/IF) – Ultra-rare and expensive

• VS1-VS2 – Small inclusions, often invisible to the naked eye

• SI1-SI2 – Budget-friendly, may have visible inclusions

🔹 Clarity-enhanced (CE) diamonds are a great option, improving SI1-SI2 diamonds to appear nearly flawless at a fraction of the cost.

Trends in Diamond Prices Over the Last 10 Years

Natural Diamond Price Trends

• 2015-2020: Prices remained stable with moderate increases.

• 2020-2023: Prices surged due to supply shortages and inflation.

• 2024-2025: Prices have softened as demand for lab-grown diamonds increased.

💎 Today, natural diamonds remain valuable, but buyers are more price-conscious than ever.

Lab-Grown Diamond Price Trends

• 2015: Lab diamonds were only 30% cheaper than natural.

• 2020: Prices dropped 50-60% due to improved production.

• 2025: Lab diamonds are now 80-85% cheaper than natural diamonds!

💎 The rapid decrease in price makes lab diamonds a great option for those prioritizing size and affordability.

Clarity Enhanced Diamond Demand

Clarity-enhanced diamonds have grown in popularity as buyers seek bigger diamonds at better prices.

• CE diamonds allow you to afford a 3-4 carat diamond for the price of a 2-carat untreated natural diamond!

Gold Prices & Their Impact on Diamond Rings

Gold prices affect the cost of your ring setting, which can range from a few hundred dollars to thousands.

Date	Gold Price per Ounce	Change (%)
Jan 1, 2024	$2,062.90	—
Jan 1, 2025	$2,623.96	+27%

 

🔹 The increase in gold prices means settings are more expensive in 2025 than in previous years.

Setting Costs:

• Classic Solitaire: $500 - $1,500

• Pavé or Side Diamond Setting: $1,500 - $5,000+

• Designer or Custom Settings: $5,000+

💍 A diamond setting alone can cost more than a 1-carat lab-grown diamond!

 

Maximizing Value: How to Get the Best Diamond for Your Budget

To get the best diamond without overspending:

✔️ Compare Like to Like – Don't just compare carat size—check cut, clarity, and color, too.

✔️ Consider Lab-Grown or Clarity-Enhanced Diamonds – Save thousands while still getting high-quality brilliance.

✔️ Balance the 4 Cs – A well-cut, slightly lower-color diamond can look identical to a "perfect" diamond at a lower cost.

✔️ Consult Experts – At Shiree Odiz, we specialize in custom engagement rings, helping you maximize value while ensuring quality.

💍 Build your custom engagement ring with us today!

 

Final Thoughts: What’s the Best Diamond for You?

Whether you’re considering a 1-carat diamond ring price or a 5-carat investment piece, knowing your options helps you make a smart, confident purchase.

• Natural diamonds remain the rarest and most traditional option.

• Lab-grown diamonds provide incredible value, offering up to 85% savings.

• Clarity-enhanced diamonds are a great middle ground for budget-conscious buyers.

At Shiree Odiz, we ensure you get the highest quality for your budget. Whether you're choosing a custom engagement ring or a diamond investment piece, we provide expert guidance every step of the way. 

Book an appointment with Daniel and he’ll help you find the exact diamond you’re looking for, within budget and complete peace of mind.