Purchasing a diamond is one of those adventures where it’s great in theory but can become pretty arduous depending on the carrier you choose. Within a diamond budget, there is always a question of what looks great and what is a waste of money. To make the most out of your budget while finding a breathtaking gemstone, learning the diamond pricing is key. 

The factor that weighs most in value determining weight is Cut, color, clarity, and carat weight, collectively known as the 4 Cs. By distributing these according to the set amount you would like to spend, you can maximize value – practically no spending for higher returns.

Cut: Able to impact a diamond’s brilliance, this feature, quite literally cut, is what gives a diamond its flare. This is also one of the aspects that is the easiest to compromise on. Any way you take it, if you are able to afford a well-cut stone, the sparkle when light hits it will be exceptional.

Color: Diamonds are graded from D to Z when checking for color, and the less noticeable, the better when sparkling. Depending on ranges, there is a certain balance to look out for, and if not watching closely one could save money and look stunning. Diamonds around the G-H range are known as near-colorless which is exactly how we want to be viewed. 

Clarity: Inclusions tend to be the microscopic aspects that simply don’t impact the overall beauty and suffice as defects. Reasonably, contracting and choosing diamonds with SI1 or SI2 will allow you attractively priced good quality at your disposal.

Understanding Carat Weight: Larger diamonds indeed cost more, but selecting a diamond just under significant carat weights (for example, 0.90 ct rather than 1.00 ct) can lower costs substantially with no apparent difference in size.

Round brilliant diamonds are, as a rule, the most expensive due to their high demand and wonderful brilliance. However, certain fancy shapes, such as oval, pear, cushion, and emerald cuts have an edge over them in value for money without any compromise in size or beauty. These shapes often cost 20-30% less than round diamonds with the same weight.

The increase in the use of lab-created diamonds has been significant among more cost-cautious consumers. They are also of the same value as natural diamonds but cost 40-60% less. For those people that are willing to consider this option, it is possible to achieve a bigger and better quality diamond within the same budget.

Your choice of the setting can change the entire diamond’s look and, therefore, the overall price. Halo settings, for example, can allow a smaller center diamond to look much bigger, therefore creating an illusion of a bigger stone at a much lower price. In addition, having 14K gold instead of 18K or platinum will lower costs due to the lower price of gold.

When buying from a jeweler, you can expect to receive the product that you purchased. It is advisable to request a certification from a grading lab, such as GIA, to confirm both the authenticity and quality of the diamond. In my experience, online stores have always had better prices than physical stores because they have lower overhead expenses. 

Jewelry is known to undergo seasonal price fluctuations. Shop during off-peak seasons or during promotional periods and holiday seasons for great sales. Moreover, some retailers have financing or installment payment options so that you can afford a good diamond without breaking the bank.