For the same 1-carat weight, a diamond's price can vary threefold. Weight isn't what decides, colour and clarity account for most of the difference.
Many buyers think carat is the only price factor. In reality, at equal weight, colour and clarity make most of the difference, a 1-carat D-IF diamond can cost several times more than a 1-carat K-SI2, even though both weigh exactly the same.
From D (colourless, the rarest) to Z (tinted). Each step down lowers the price, but also the visual rarity.
From LC/IF (no visible inclusion) to P3. Beyond VS2, most inclusions are invisible to the naked eye, an excellent value-for-money compromise.
An Excellent cut maximises brilliance and can make a diamond look whiter and cleaner than it is on paper.
A GIA or HRD certified 1-carat diamond will always resell better than an uncertified diamond or one certified by a less recognised lab.
Rough diamonds of 1 carat and above are notably rarer to find in nature than fractional carats. The per-carat price often jumps sharply right after the symbolic 1.00 ct mark, a 0.99 ct diamond can cost noticeably less than an otherwise identical 1.01 ct. It's a nuance many sellers won't explain to you.
For a round diamond cut to ideal proportions, 2.50 carat corresponds to a diameter of about 8,7 mm. Other shapes (oval, pear, emerald...) have different proportions at the same weight: an elongated stone often looks larger for the same carat.
Here are real examples from our certified natural diamond catalogue, by shape, for a weight of about 2.5 carat. Prices include VAT.
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There is no single price: at 2.5 carats, colour, clarity and cut can multiply the price several times over. The table on this page shows real prices observed today in our catalogue, by shape. For a precise range based on the colour and clarity you want, send me a message.
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