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In the section below, we have broken down four scenarios for how a buyer might buy a 1 carat diamond depending on their budget.&nbsp;<table><tbody>
<tr>
	<td style="width: 16.2861%;">Top Quality 1 Carat Prices </td>
	<td style="width: 83.6377%;">Buyers under this category might opt for a 1 carat diamond in
 the “investment grade” category. To get the best deal, compare prices on multiple
 websites. Under this option, buying a super ideal cut diamond with a minimum of
 VVS clarity and E color with no fluorescence and GIA or AGS certification would
 be the best option. The budget for this range should be between $8,000-$12,000.
 Here is a <a href="https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.07-carat-e-color-vvs2-clarity-true-hearts-cut-sku-18348555?a_aid=5c83f22427304/" class="external" rel="nofollow">great
 option</a> for this range in rounds and <a href="https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/oval-cut/1.00-carat-d-color-vvs1-clarity-sku-18159538?a_aid=5c83f22427304/" class="external" rel="nofollow">this
 one</a> for an oval cut (apply the same criteria to other fancy shapes as well).</td></tr>
<tr>
	<td>Best Value 1 Carat Prices </td>
	<td>This is also a great category under which diamonds are often
 in high demand due to high circulation. Buyers under this category should limit
 their options to VS2 clarity, G color, faint fluorescence, and ideal cuts with
 GIA or AGS grading reports. The budget for this range should be $4,500-7,000.
 Here is a <a href="https://www.bluenile.com/diamond-details/18418794?a_aid=5c83f22427304/" class="external" rel="nofollow">good option</a> under this category to consider. </td></tr>
<tr>
	<td>Best Size 1 Carat Prices </td>
	<td>Under this category, the goal is to get the best 1 carat
 diamond for a tight budget. If that is the case, opting for SI1 (and maybe eye-clean
 SI2) diamond with up to medium blue fluorescence and AGS and GIA certification is
 a great idea. We would still recommend cut to be ideal in this range. The budget
 for this range should range between $3,000-4,000. Check this diamond as a <a href="https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.08-carat-i-color-si1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-17600201?a_aid=5c83f22427304/" class="external" rel="nofollow">good
 example</a>.&nbsp;</td></tr>
<tr>
	<td>Budget 1 Carat Prices </td>
	<td>Under this option,&nbsp;buyers compromise on color because of a tight budget to get the budget cut, clarity, and carat weight. They consider a J to M range color with VVS clarity and ideal cut with IGI or any other reputable grading lab report. The budget range is $1,800-2,500. Check this diamond as a <a href="https://www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/round-cut/1.03-carat-m-color-vs1-clarity-excellent-cut-sku-10977659?a_aid=5c83f22427304" class="external" rel="nofollow">good
 example</a>.</td></tr></tbody></table>

1 Carat Diamond Price Scenarios

The following diamond&nbsp;price chart shows very conservative wholesale and retail prices for a one-carat diamond with no fluorescence, GIA or AGS certification, and ideal cut proportions.<table class="MsoNormalTable" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="780" style="width: 100%; height: 2046px;"><tbody><tr><td valign="top" style="width: 17.342%;">Clarity</td><td colspan="2" valign="top">D Color</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"> </td><td valign="top" style="width: 14.8298%;">Wholesale</td><td valign="top" style="width: 20.9887%;">Retail</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">SI1</td><td valign="top">$4,545</td><td valign="top">$ 5,745</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VS2</td><td valign="top">$ 5,180</td><td valign="top">$ 7,034</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VS1</td><td valign="top">$ 5,768</td><td valign="top">$ 7,798</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VVS2</td><td valign="top">$ 6,680</td><td valign="top">$ 8,984</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VVS1</td><td valign="top">$ 7,760</td><td valign="top">$ 10,188</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">IF</td><td valign="top">$ 9,188</td><td valign="top">$ 12,244</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">FL</td><td valign="top">$ 11,311</td><td valign="top">$ 14,004</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">Clarity</td><td colspan="2" valign="top">E Color</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"> </td><td valign="top">Wholesale</td><td valign="top">Retail</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">SI1</td><td valign="top">$ 4,440</td><td valign="top">$ 5,635</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VS2</td><td valign="top">$ 4,841</td><td valign="top">$ 6,593</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VS1</td><td valign="top">$ 5,613</td><td valign="top">$ 7,607</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VVS2</td><td valign="top">$ 6,254</td><td valign="top">$ 8,130</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VVS1</td><td valign="top">$ 6,906</td><td valign="top">$ 9,278</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">IF</td><td valign="top">$ 7,614</td><td valign="top">$ 10,198</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">FL</td><td valign="top">$ 9,220</td><td valign="top">$ 12,286</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">Clarity</td><td colspan="2" valign="top">F Color</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"> </td><td valign="top">Wholesale</td><td valign="top">Retail</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">SI1</td><td valign="top">$ 4,363</td><td valign="top">$ 5,477</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VS2</td><td valign="top">$ 4,697</td><td valign="top">$ 5,406</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VS1</td><td valign="top">$ 5,512</td><td valign="top">$ 6,46</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VVS2</td><td valign="top">$ 6,050</td><td valign="top">$ 6,877</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VVS1</td><td valign="top">$ 6,950</td><td valign="top">$ 8,074</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">IF</td><td valign="top">$ 7,740</td><td valign="top">$ 8,692</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">FL</td><td valign="top">$ 7,966</td><td valign="top">$ 9,926</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">Clarity</td><td colspan="2" valign="top">G Color</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"> </td><td valign="top">Wholesale</td><td valign="top">Retail</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">SI1</td><td valign="top">$ 4,227</td><td valign="top">$ 5,334</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VS2</td><td valign="top">$ 4,478</td><td valign="top">$ 5,914</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VS1</td><td valign="top">$ 4,714</td><td valign="top">$ 6,355</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VVS2</td><td valign="top">$ 5,858</td><td valign="top">$ 6,674</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VVS1</td><td valign="top">$ 6,418</td><td valign="top">$ 7,277</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">IF</td><td valign="top">$ 6,830</td><td valign="top">$ 7,986</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">FL</td><td valign="top">$ 7,086</td><td valign="top">$ 8,437</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">Clarity</td><td colspan="2" valign="top">H Color</td></tr><tr><td valign="top"> </td><td valign="top">Wholesale</td><td valign="top">Retail</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">SI1</td><td valign="top">$ 3,031</td><td valign="top">$ 5,058</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VS2</td><td valign="top">$ 3,876</td><td valign="top">$ 5,668</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VS1</td><td valign="top">$ 4,047</td><td valign="top">$ 5,863</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VVS2</td><td valign="top">$ 4,327</td><td valign="top">$ 6,031</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">VVS1</td><td valign="top">$ 4,858</td><td valign="top">$ 6,536</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">IF</td><td valign="top">$ 5,597</td><td valign="top">$ 6,784</td></tr><tr><td valign="top">FL</td><td valign="top">$ 5,853</td><td valign="top">$ 7,082</td></tr></tbody></table>

1 Carat Diamond Prices & Cost

The seven primary factors that affect a diamond's price include
 diamond shape, diamond carat weight, diamond cut, diamond color, diamond
 clarity, diamond certification, and diamond fluorescence. Please read our
 article on<a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/comparing-diamond-prices-seven-important-factors/"> diamond price factors</a> for more information.<a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/best-place-to-buy-diamonds-or-engagement-rings-online/"><img loading="lazy" class="img-responsive" src="https://backend.petragems.com/public/api/Images/Picture5.webp" alt="Diamond Quality Factors" width="393" height="308" title="Diamond Price Factors"></a>

Factors that Influence Diamond Prices

There have always been several far-fetched rumors and
 folklore about assessing the authenticity of a diamond. One of the most popular
 options for testing a diamond featured on television is biting it. It should be
 evident that this is a bad idea. Note that this could severely damage the
 precious materials around the diamond. Besides, the jewelry item is likely filthy,
 having passed through many hands. It is equally unwise to try and use the
 diamond to scratch glass.<img loading="lazy" class="img-responsive" src="https://backend.petragems.com/public/api/Images/Picture95.webp" alt="one carat diamond size chart" width="550" height="277" title="1 carat diamond size" style="width: 550px; height: 277px;">

A much safer option would be to make use of the breath
 test. Merely breathing on the stone and watching it as it fogs up should help
 you determine whether it is real. If the fog clears away immediately, the
 diamond is natural. But if the fog lingers for a few seconds, chances are it is
 not. Unfortunately, this method is not 100% accurate since the mist from your
 breath does not clear away immediately from several other precious stones as
 well.

Another option is to purchase an inexpensive diamond tester, which can cost as little as $15. However, this may seem impractical if you only shop
 for a diamond for the special person in your life.

Your safest, most accessible, and most affordable option is
 to request to see the <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-certification/">diamond certification</a> before making any purchases. The
 GIA certification is the most widely respected option. In addition to the
 physical certificate, a unique certification number is carefully inscribed on
 the stone in a location where it will not be visible.

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.gia.edu/" rel="nofollow">Gemological Institute of
 America</a>&nbsp;issues a&nbsp;GIA certification. It
 is located in Carlsbad, California, and is a not-for-profit organization certifying diamonds since 1931. The institute also has several
 officers worldwide and employs 1400 research professionals.

They aim to protect unsuspecting consumers from being
 deceived by dishonest salesmen. They have developed a time-tested standard that
 ensures that their certification provides an honest, impartial, and undoubtedly
 accurate assessment of the diamond's quality and value. The researchers also
 have a set of master stones used as a control when examining the stones being
 tested.

The trained professionals at the Gemological Institute of
 America spare no expense when seeking to certify a stone. Their assessment
 requires using delicate scales and powerful computers to determine the weight,
 accuracy of the cut, number of flaws, and the stone's overall brilliance or
 sparkle.

While the GIA is the most well-respected certification, we highly recommend the American Gemological Society.

1 Carat Diamonds Certification

The
 price of a diamond is affected by how it is graded on the 4Cs scale—cut, clarity, color, and carat. However, each diamond is as unique as a
 snowflake, whose cost depends on combining&nbsp;these four factors.
<a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/4cs-of-diamond/"><img loading="lazy" class="img-responsive" src="https://backend.petragems.com/public/api/Images/img-1687758426.webp" alt="Diamond 4Cs Scale" width="461" height="297" title="Diamond Grading Scale"></a>

The Diamond Cut

The&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-cut/">cut of a diamond&nbsp;should not be confused with its shape</a>. It refers to the level of craftsmanship employed by the
 jeweler who carved the diamond from its rough state into the beauty used to
 make rings and other forms of jewelry. Many believe the cut is the most
 critical factor when assessing a diamond.

When expert jewelers carefully craft a diamond, they
 carefully examine the stone to determine how best to shape it to minimize the
 amount of diamond wasted. Once the finished product's shape is decided, the
 jeweler then carefully carves away the excess stone.

If the stone is cut carefully, it is carved to reveal its
 true beauty. Only when the diamond is cut carefully will the stone reflect
 light brilliantly. Stones that are not cut carefully will not sparkle or
 reflect light and appear somewhat dull and unattractive, which is why many
 believe the cut of the stone has the most significant influence on its price.

The Diamond Clarity

A diamond is a beautiful stone. However, having spent years in the dirt with other elements, it is bound to have imperfections. These
 imperfections could include shards of other stones or traces of other elements.
 A <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-clarity/">diamond's clarity </a>is determined by the number of imperfections and how obvious
 they are to the naked eye. A 10x magnification loupe and a microscope are used
 to examine the inclusions that are not visible.

The type, size, and number of inclusions vary from stone to
 stone. More imperfections will affect the stone's brilliance and cost. Diamonds
 with no apparent inclusions are rated flawless, while those with the most
 apparent ones are rated as I3 on the GIA clarity scale.

The Diamond Color

In the world of diamonds, the less color a diamond has, the
 better. Clear or nearly clear diamonds appear more brilliant than colored
 diamonds. Therefore, <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/colorless-diamonds-d-e-f-color/">colorless diamonds</a> are far more expensive than colored
 diamonds, which usually have a light yellow or brown tint. When making your
 selection, be mindful because gold jewelers tend to give crystal clear diamonds
 the appearance of having a yellowish tint.

The Diamond Carat

As previously highlighted, the <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-carat-weight/">carat weight</a> of a diamond is
 the most popular of the 4Cs; one carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. Thus,
 it is easy to see a correlation between the carat weight and the size of the
 diamond.

Please note that the carat weight of a diamond does not
 always&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petragems.com/blog/how-to-measure-ring-size/">determine its size</a>.
 Just as a short person can weigh more than a tall person, a 1 carat diamond can be
 smaller than a 0.90CT diamond with a deeper pavilion or broader circumference.
 However, these differences are hard to distinguish by the naked eye.

Many consider the 1 carat range the ideal weight for a
 center stone on a ring, especially when selecting engagement rings. Diamonds
 that are 1 carat or higher tend to be more expensive than smaller diamonds because
 the former (large diamonds) are rare and thus command a higher price than their
 smaller counterparts found quite easily. Some have even noted an almost 50%
 difference in the cost of a 1CT ring versus a 0.95CT diamond ring.

Many prudent shoppers have purchased rings slightly below
 the one-carat mark and saved thousands. A 0.95CT ring is almost as impressive
 as a 1&nbsp;carat ring. The differences are so minute that they are easier to distinguish
 with the assistance of a trained diamond expert.

Other prudent shoppers have purchased rings with clusters
 of much smaller diamonds. You will pay significantly less for a ring with several 0.25-carat diamonds than one with only a single 1 carat diamond, even if the cumulative weight of all the smaller diamonds equals or exceeds 1 carat.

Selecting a diamond—and the right diamond for the occasion
 you have in mind—requires focusing on more than the diamond's grade. Two
 diamonds with the same grade and certification may look completely different.
 Hence, understanding how the price is affected by variations of the <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/4cs-of-diamond/">4Cs </a>is critical
 to making informed decisions.



Related:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.petragems.com/blog/how-much-does-a-2-carat-diamond-cost/">How Much Does a 2 Carat Diamond
 Cost?</a>

4Cs & 1 Carat Diamonds

Buyers often opt to compromise on quality to save money, only to
 end up with a ring that could be more impressive. Here are a few additional
 tips on how to purchase the ideal diamond without breaking the bank:Play around with the color of the ring. We all prefer a D-colored <a href="https://www.petragems.com/diamonds/">GIA certified diamond</a> that is crystal clear, even though it comes with a hefty price tag. Lowering your <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-color/">color grade</a> expectations will significantly impact the price, and you might be surprised by how much money you can save by choosing a diamond of excellent quality with a hint of color.Don't be afraid of inclusions. When we hear about flaws in a ring, we often assume it means inferior quality. This thinking is flawed; <a href="https://www.petragems.com/diamond-inclusions/">inclusions </a>are often barely visible, and two diamonds with the same rating may have different types or quantities of inclusions. Scrutinize the diamond and its inclusions before ruling it out. You can even ask to examine the stone using a microscope to ensure you get value for your money.Experiment with shapes. The shape of the diamond significantly affects its cost. Consider reorganizing the content for a more logical flow—start experimenting with <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/diamond-shapes/">shapes</a>, move on to discussing color, and end by suggesting the consideration of lab-grown diamonds. This will guide readers in considering&nbsp;different factors when choosing a diamond. Provide more specific information about types of inclusions to look for and those to avoid for a better understanding. Offer additional context on the benefits and drawbacks of lab-grown diamonds to help readers evaluate this option more informally. <a href="https://www.petragems.com/round-cut-diamonds/">Round diamonds</a> are the most expensive, second only to the <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/oval-cut-diamonds/">oval cut</a>. This is because these shapes require jewelers to whittle away and waste significant chunks of diamonds during cutting since none is naturally round. Thankfully, there are alternatives. If you prefer round diamonds, consider an oval-shaped diamond instead. A round ring with the same rating as an oval ring can cost up to 20% more.Choosing the right diamond requires diligence to avoid being taken advantage of or ending up with an unattractive stone. If budget is a significant factor, consider <a href="https://www.petragems.com/education/lab-grown-diamonds/">lab-grown diamonds</a> in your final decision.

Buying 1 Carat Diamond on a Budget

Diamond rings, symbolizing love and romance, have become iconic, with the diamond's size often tied to notions of wealth. While <a href="https://www.petragems.com/de-beers/">De Beers</a> popularized "diamonds are forever," the roots of diamond popularity trace back to Ancient Greece. Today, purchasing a 1 carat diamond ring signifies a significant financial commitment. To avoid potential pitfalls, thoroughly educate yourself on quality factors and compare prices across various websites before making a substantial purchase.

Final Thoughts on 1 Carat Diamonds

Diamonds ranging from 0.8 to 1.2 carats are highly sought after in the global market for precious natural stones. A well-cut and high-quality 1 carat diamond ca

1 Carat Diamond Prices & Cost [Real Options]