[{"title":"How Big Does A 3-Carat Diamond Look?","content":"

$\"3$ <\/a><\/p>

A 3-carat diamond weighs 0.6 grams or 600 milligrams; to\n put it into a better perspective, that is approximately the same size as a\n raisin. Now, although 600 milligrams may not look or sound much, a negligible\n variation in the weight of a diamond reflects heavily on the diamond\u2019s price as well as the balance of the 4 Cs in the jewelry industry. For instance, a shopper could opt for a 2.9-carat\n diamond instead of a 3 carat one; the difference between the two stones\u2019 carat\n weight being rather insignificant. However, that decision might have been\n inspired by a disproportionate variance in the prices of the two stones.<\/p>\n\n

Three-carat is not the most popular diamond size among the\n round carat weights, and it is more likely to bump into diamonds weighing 1,\n 1.5, and 2 carats<\/a> in a jewelry store. Some consumers consider three carats too\n big for a gem that should be subtly visible, whereas others find the cost of\n most 3 carat stones way beyond their budgets.<\/p>\n\n

Recent consumer research suggests that each region around\n the world has its preferred diamond carat weight<\/a>,\n and, interestingly, hardly three-carat diamonds feature anywhere among the most\n favored diamond sizes. In the US, most consumers tend to buy 1 carat diamonds.\n This rarity alone could have a monumental impact on the overall cost of a\n 3 carat diamond, but before this factor is shed light upon, let us look at what\n an average 3 carat diamond will cost.<\/p>

$\"James$ <\/a><\/p>"},{"title":"How Much Does A 3 Carat Diamond Cost","content":"

Generally, a standard quality 3-carat diamond costs between\n $15,000 and $170,000; shopping for an ideal diamond within a broad price range\n is not a walk in the park. Moreover, considering the price can fall anywhere\n outside this price range, finding an excellent 3 carat stone is even more challenging. Check our comprehensive diamond prices <\/a>guide for accurate estimates. <\/p>\n\n

Fortunately, carat weight is not the only thing influencing diamonds\u2019 cost. This implies that the chances of locating a perfect\n 3 carat diamond depend on how efficiently one sifts through and eliminates the\n other price-defining factors.<\/p>

Three Carat Diamond Prices Chart<\/span>
<\/p>

Clarity<\/p><\/td>	D Color<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>
<\/p><\/td>	Wholesale<\/span><\/p><\/td>	Retail<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>
SI1<\/p><\/td>	$ 51,494<\/p><\/td>	$ 59,219<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VS2<\/p><\/td>	$ 57,614<\/p><\/td>	$ 66,257<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VS1<\/p><\/td>	$ 68,846<\/p><\/td>	$ 79,173<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VVS2<\/p><\/td>	$ 89,118<\/p><\/td>	$ 102,486<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VVS1<\/p><\/td>	$ 101,088<\/p><\/td>	$ 116,251<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
IF<\/p><\/td>	$ 111,164<\/p><\/td>	$ 127,839<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
FL<\/p><\/td>	$ 148,176<\/p><\/td>	$ 170,402<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
Clarity<\/p><\/td>	E Color<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>	Wholesale<\/span><\/p> <\/div><\/td>	Retail<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>
SI1<\/p><\/td>	$ 49,097<\/p><\/td>	$ 57,443<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VS2<\/p><\/td>	$ 57,377<\/p><\/td>	$ 67,131<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VS1<\/p><\/td>	$ 60,588<\/p><\/td>	$ 70,888<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VVS2<\/p><\/td>	$ 84,236<\/p><\/td>	$ 98,557<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VVS1<\/p><\/td>	$ 91,796<\/p><\/td>	$ 107,402<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
IF<\/p><\/td>	$ 103,784<\/p><\/td>	$ 121,428<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
FL<\/p><\/td>	$ 113,965<\/p><\/td>	$ 133,339<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
Clarity<\/p><\/td>	F Color<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>	Wholesale<\/span><\/p><\/td>	Retail<\/span> <\/p><\/td><\/tr>
SI1<\/p><\/td>	$ 47,192<\/p><\/td>	$ 55,215<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VS2<\/p><\/td>	$ 64,112<\/p><\/td>	$ 75,012<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VS1<\/p><\/td>	$ 69,797<\/p><\/td>	$ 81,662<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VVS2<\/p><\/td>	$ 79,214<\/p><\/td>	$ 92,681<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VVS1<\/p><\/td>	$ 89,280<\/p><\/td>	$ 104,458<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
IF<\/p><\/td>	$ 97,934<\/p><\/td>	$ 114,583<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
FL<\/p><\/td>	$ 102,786<\/p><\/td>	$ 120,260<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
Clarity <\/p><\/td>	G Color<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>	Wholesale<\/span><\/p><\/td>	Retail<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>
SI1<\/p><\/td>	$ 46,764<\/p><\/td>	$ 55,182<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VS2<\/p><\/td>	$ 62,568<\/p><\/td>	$ 73,830<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VS1<\/p><\/td>	$ 65,160<\/p><\/td>	$ 76,889<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VVS2<\/p><\/td>	$ 69,480<\/p><\/td>	$ 81,986<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VVS1<\/p><\/td>	$ 73,764<\/p><\/td>	$ 87,042<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
IF<\/p><\/td>	$ 78,836<\/p><\/td>	$ 93,027<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
FL<\/p><\/td>	$ 82,121<\/p><\/td>	$ 96,203<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
Clarity<\/p><\/td>	H Color<\/strong><\/p><\/td><\/tr>
<\/td>	Wholesale<\/span><\/p><\/td>	Retail<\/span><\/p><\/td><\/tr>
SI1<\/p><\/td>	$ 36,720<\/p><\/td>	$ 43,330<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VS2<\/p><\/td>	$ 43,020<\/p><\/td>	$ 50,764<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VS1<\/p><\/td>	$ 48,600<\/p><\/td>	$ 57,348<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VVS2<\/p><\/td>	$ 50,760<\/p><\/td>	$ 59,897<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
VVS1<\/p><\/td>	$ 52,236<\/p><\/td>	$ 61,638<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
IF<\/p><\/td>	$ 56,520<\/p><\/td>	$ 66,694<\/p><\/td><\/tr>
FL<\/p><\/td>	$ 57,960<\/p><\/td>	$ 68,393<\/p><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table> <\/p>"},{"title":"Factors that Influence the Price of a 3 Carat Diamond","content":" 1. Shape and Size<\/span><\/p> The first element that determines the price of a 3 carat\n diamond is the shape and size of the stone. To better understand this, it is\n important to distinguish between the shape of a diamond<\/a> and\n its cut.<\/p>\n\n Although the two terms are usually used interchangeably,\n they denote different things altogether. The shape of a diamond generally\n refers to the outline of the stone or its external figure\u2014referring to a\n diamond as a pear, round brilliant, or cushion translates into making reference\n to its shape. On the other hand, the cut of a diamond refers to the diamond\u2019s\n facets, dimensions, symmetry, and reflective attributes.<\/p>\n\n The shape of a diamond directly impacts the size of the\n stone, ultimately influencing the cost of the gem. The size of a diamond\n relative to its shape is often known as the face-up size\u2014the bigger the size,\n the higher the cost. According to research conducted in 2018, most jewelry\n shoppers considered size one of the most important factors when buying\n diamonds. Finer aspects, such as the diamond's width, weight, height, and length, further influenced this element.<\/p>\n\n The following chart illustrates the different shapes of 3 carat\n diamonds, their corresponding face-up sizes, and their average cost.<\/p>\n\n The chart compares the prices of 3 carat diamonds across\n various shapes based on the VS1\/VS2 clarity score and G\/H color range. Be that\n as it may, the chart is not meant to explicitly push diamonds of the said\n clarity score and color range. Indeed, better bargains on diamonds with\n lower color and clarity<\/a> scores\n can still be found.<\/p>\n\n From the chart, the significant price variations mostly\n depend on the cut quality. It is also evident that fancy-shaped 3-carat diamonds cost significantly cheaper. They might appear more elegant on the\n finger compared to other diamond shapes, such as the round one. Another benefit\n of going for fancy-shaped 3 carat diamonds is that they feature larger face up\n sizes and hence tend to look bigger than they are. Such an excellent illusion\n of size positively influences the diamond\u2019s light and color-handling properties.<\/p>\n\n A fancy-shaped 3 carat stone is generally cheaper, looks\n bigger, and comes with maximum fire and brilliance.<\/p> 2. The Diamond Cut<\/span><\/p>\n\n The cut of a 3 carat diamond impacts its price nearly the\n same way the shape does. The cut of a diamond<\/a> affects both its brilliance and\n performance. For instance, this\n diamond<\/a> may look almost as big as this\n one<\/a>, though it can be seen that the former creates a bigger\n impression in terms of fire and brilliance than the latter.<\/p>\n\n The cut of a diamond depends on the skill and craftsmanship\n of the cutter. A diamond can be graded as poor, fair, good, very good, or\n excellent based on the cut alone. When cutting raw diamonds, cutters will use\n their professionalism and good judgment to determine how best to combine the\n different proportions of the stone\u2014the primary motivation being to maximize the\n diamonds\u2019 sparkle.<\/p>\n\n Overall, a 3 carat diamond is easier to cut than diamonds\n of smaller sizes. However, the number of inclusions and the desired level of\n brilliance could further complicate the process. This explains why round\n diamonds are the most expensive since they require more expertise to cut. The\n oval, marquise, and Asscher cuts follow in that order.<\/p>\n\n 3. The Diamond Color<\/span><\/p>\n\n Three carat diamonds come in various colors that are priced\n differently.<\/p> $\"Diamond$ <\/a><\/p>\n\n First, let us emphasize that diamonds are primarily graded\n depending on their absence of colors, which is why colorless stones are more\n expensive. The presence of hues and tints makes all the difference in color.\n The hues often result from the presence of nitrogen trapped inside the diamond.\n Nonetheless, there is an exception to this rule.<\/p>\n\n In certain circumstances, a diamond may have an intensely\n strong color that usually emanates from trace elements within the stone. Due to\n their rarity, intensely colored diamonds, also known as fancies, are expensive.<\/p>\n\n Another thing to remember is that the role color plays in\n defining a diamond\u2019s quality improves with the size of the diamond. Thus, when\n shopping for a 3 carat diamond, always check the stone for even the slightest\n tint. The convention is to choose diamonds that range from H to I on the\n diamond color range for white platinum or gold settings. Any 3 carat diamond on\n a lower color grade for yellow or rose gold rings will do.<\/p>\n\n However, do not always rely on color grades as the ideal\n indicators of the performance of a 3 carat diamond on a ring. When grading\n diamonds based on their colors, gemologists often look at the body color from\n the diamond\u2019s side, not its face-up appearance. Therefore, while a 3 carat\n diamond may come with a hefty price tag due to its high score on the color\n grade, its face-up appearance may not look as sparkly.<\/p>\n\n 4. Clarity Differences<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n Diamond clarity is determined by the amount as well as the\n location of its flaws most of which are normally internal, also known as inclusions.\n When they occur externally, they are referred to as surface irregularities.\n Flaws directly affect the light-handling properties of a diamond, hence\n decrementing its value.<\/p> $\"diamond$ <\/a><\/p> Larger diamonds readily show their inclusions. For\n instance, a 3 carat diamond with an SI2 clarity score on the scale will reveal\n its flaws more readily than a 1 carat diamond with the same clarity\n grade. Therefore, always insist on a 3 carat diamond with higher clarity\n grades.<\/p> Although their clarity significantly influences the cost of\n 3 carat diamonds, experts warn against blindly following the clarity grading\n formula. A shopper may come across 3 carat diamonds with similar\n clarity grades but at different prices. The visibility of those inclusions might occasion the price variations. Moreover, clarity is quite a\n relative and subjective trait; therefore, the best bet would be to choose an\n eye clean diamond.<\/p> Also, it is worth noting that the prices of 3 carat\n diamonds vary exponentially based on this\n 3 carat diamond<\/a> differs only slightly from this\n one<\/a> on clarity. But their prices differ significantly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n 5. The Fluorescence<\/span><\/p>\n\n When shopping for a 3 carat diamond, do not dwell too much\n on the four Cs as to forget the other finer aspects that dictate the overall\n price of the diamond. Diamond fluorescence<\/a> refers\n to the extent to which the stone glows when exposed to ultraviolet light. It mostly results from the presence of phosphorus within the internal structure of\n a diamond. It is important to stress that in this regard, phosphorus is not\n considered a flaw but a positive element.<\/p>\n\n Contrary to popular belief, the relationship between the\n price of a 3 carat diamond and its fluorescence is not always relative. While\n all diamonds feature a degree of fluorescence, not much of that quality can be\n captured by the standard gemological equipment. Statistics suggest that only\n 35% of diamonds emit some glow. In most cases, fluorescence will make a diamond\n look hazy. As such, fluorescent 3 carat diamonds might be priced between 10 \u2013\n 20% cheaper than those with fainter and zero fluorescence. However, a diamond\u2019s\n glow can also enhance the whiteness and brilliance of the stone.<\/p>\n\n Many diamond dealers tend to play a psychological game with\n the fluorescence aspect of their diamonds because most buyers naturally believe\n that higher fluorescence translates to better quality. To get it right, buy a 3\n carat diamond with proper grading certificates; doing so will help establish\n whether the fluorescence is a pro or a con for that particular diamond.<\/p>\n\n 6. The Finish Grade<\/span><\/p>\n\n The finish grade implies the smoothness of a diamond\u2019s\n surface and is one of the more delicate elements that dictate the price of 3 carat\n diamonds. Also known as polish, the finish grade gives a diamond its luster and\n sheen.<\/p>\n\n Remember that it is rare for a diamond to feature a perfect\n polish. Instead, there will always be some tiny imperfections; examples include\n abrasions, nicks, scratches, pits, and burn marks. The good news is that these\n flaws are rarely visible to the naked eye, and most can only be visualized\n through the jeweler\u2019s loupe. Gemological labs grade polish from \u201cPoor,\u201d \u201cFair,\u201d\n \u201cGood,\u201d \u201cVery Good,\u201d and \u201cExcellent.\u201d As mentioned previously, flaws show in\n larger diamonds than in smaller ones, so whatever the price, avoid 3 carat\n diamonds that range between \u201cPoor\u201d and \u201cFair\u201d in polish.<\/p>\n\n Also, different diamond cuts are polished differently, with\n the primary motivation of ridding the stone of inclusions, scratches, and\n abrasions. This means that there is a good chance of coming across diamonds\n that feel rougher but feature higher price tags. Therefore, smoother is not\n always costlier when it comes to finishing grades.<\/p>\n\n To get it right, establish the desired polish before\n checking out the prices of the ideal 3 carat diamond, and instead of dwelling\n on the sheer smoothness of the diamond, focus more on how eye clean it appears.\n Chances are that the fewer surface irregularities, the higher the finish grade.<\/p>\n\n 7. The Symmetry<\/span><\/p>\n\n A diamond's symmetry refers to its facets' regularity and balance. It mostly comes down to the shape of a diamond\u2019s angles\n in relation to the overall position of those angles.<\/p>\n\n At the end of the diamond grading process, diamond facets\n are often compared in opposing pairs, windows and mirrors.<\/p>\n\n Flaws in the symmetry of a diamond may influence how\n efficiently the diamond directs light that travels through it. Therefore, these\n flaws significantly reduce a diamond\u2019s brilliance.<\/p>\n\n As can be expected, a diamond\u2019s symmetry depends on the\n craftsmanship of the cutter. Ideal cut diamonds<\/a> have\n even proportions and symmetrical facets. Besides, excellent cutting skills and\n polishing also affects a diamond\u2019s overall symmetry.<\/p>\n\n But spotting an asymmetrical diamond is not easy unless a\n jewelry shopper is seasoned. This substantiates the significance\n of looking for any special visual effects. For instance, oval diamonds have\n what is known as the bowtie effect, which suggests that not all the light at\n the center of the diamond reflects the table. While it may often be considered\n a defining symbol of the oval diamond shape, the effect might as well be\n viewed negatively.<\/p>\n\n Most diamond grading reports lack these special effects,\n one reason why the onus is on the buyer to locate them and use their presence\n to negotiate the price of a 3 carat diamond.<\/p>\n\n 8. The Girdle Thickness<\/span><\/p>\n\n A diamond\u2019s girdle is part of the stone that attaches the\n crown to the pavilion and is often graded as thin, medium, or thick. A girdle\n affects the symmetry and proportion of a diamond. When it is too thin, the\n diamond may be susceptible to chipping; when it is too thick, it could add\n extra weight to the stone. Be that as it may, this weight is usually\n negligible, and while it does not impact size or elegance per se, it could\n influence the price of a 3 carat diamond.<\/p>\n\n Some diamond polishers may hive off some weight from a\n diamond and make up for that by increasing the girdle thickness. To avoid these\n unpleasant surprises, always insist on medium girdle thickness.<\/p>"},{"title":"Shopping For 3 Carat Diamonds","content":" Regardless of their immense weight, the good news is that 3\n carat diamonds are easy to cut and polish, entailing that they are readily\n available in numerous shapes and cuts. But when shopping for diamonds, there\n are always challenges and precautions.<\/p>\n\n First, let us reiterate that online is the best place to\n shop for 3 carat diamonds. Shopping for diamonds online<\/a> from reputable dealers\n has been proven to be up to 30% cheaper. Secondly, dealing with vendors that\n offer diamond certificates from reliable gemological labs and deploy cutting-edge diamond viewing technology is pertinent. Some online dealers now use\n interactive photos and 360 degrees displays, enabling a buyer to examine the\n diamond more closely against the parameters highlighted above.<\/p>\n\n Lastly, remember that the cost of a 3 carat diamond is not\n cast in stone. Although the major price influencers have been discussed, they\n are not the only ones. Other aspects like rarity, ring setting, and the local jewelry\n industry dynamics will also come into play.<\/p>\n\n All in all, shopping for a 3 carat diamond is as exciting\n an experience as a challenging one. Such diamonds come with significant price\n variations depending on what a buyer is looking for. The consensus is to have a\n checklist as elaborate as possible before brainstorming each item to decide\n what to prioritize.<\/p>"}]

3 Carat Diamonds: Cost, Prices and Actual Size (look)

Sharif Khan

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