1 carat Diamond Rings

The average carat weight for an engagement ring is just above 1 carat with a 1 carat diamond being by far the most popular choice and our best seller for natural diamonds. Opting for a 1 carat diamond ring is often the best choice for most couples due to its balance of price and practicality, however with the low cost of lab grown diamonds, 2 carat and 3 carat options are more affordable than ever.

A good quality 1 carat diamond ring costs between $6,500 to $7,500 in retail stores, while online prices range from $3,000 to $4,000. The highest quality 1-carat diamond can exceed $10,000. However, if you're looking to sell your 1 carat diamond ring, you should expect only up to 50% of store prices if selling back to a jeweler. This is due to the fact that a jeweler will only be incentivized to buy if it's below current wholesale and manufacturing costs.

Kim Kardashian's engagement ring from Kris Humphries was a 20.5-carat emerald-cut diamond, while her ring from Kanye West was a 15-carat cushion-cut diamond.

For a $5000 budget, the ideal carat weight of a natural diamond typically falls between 1.00 and 2.00 carats. For a lab grown diamond, you can venture up to 3, 4 or even 5 carat diamonds.

The cost is influenced by the diamond's 4 C's - the 1 carat weight plus the cut, color, clarity, and shape. Settings and metal types also affect the price, with round, oval and emerald diamonds often being the most expensive.