1 Carat Diamonds

Many factors affect the price of a diamond including shape, carat weight, cut, color, and clarity. Fancy-cut diamonds are more budget-friendly per carat weight than round brilliant diamonds of the same quality. 

The size of a 1 carat diamond varies based on the diamond shape selected. Our diamond size chart breaks down the differences in the shapes.

When you want the look of a 1 carat diamond with a lower price tag, consider "buying shy." This means purchasing a diamond with a carat size of .90 to .99 instead of a full carat. The difference won't be very discernible to the eye, but it will lower the price.

The term “carat weight” refers to a single diamond. The term “carat total weight” refers to all the diamonds used in a single piece. You'll hear carat total weight with diamond sidestone settings, halo engagement ring settings, and other styles that use smaller stones to enhance the look of the center stone.

1 carat engagement rings are a classic choice that offers impressive sparkle. Generally, 1 carat diamond rings are considered a great size for timeless styles. Of course, jewelry preferences, your budget and the chosen ring setting will also influence whether a 1 carat diamond ring is the right choice for your purchase. 

All diamond shapes shine at 1 carat. More faceted cuts, such as princess diamonds, are right at home in the 1 CT range. Other fancy cuts, such as Asscher cut, also sparkle in the 1 CT size. Different diamonds will appear larger or smaller in this size depending on how they are cut. 

A 1 carat diamond ring looks stylish in any design. You can go the classic route with a solitaire ring or choose from unique engagement rings that offer creative styles. Vintage-inspired, designer and even three-stone engagement rings are perfect with a 1 CT center stone. 

Many 1 carat engagement rings feature a halo of additional diamonds or gemstones to enhance the overall sparkle. If you are looking to add extra brilliance, incorporate other gemstones or you’d like to simply maximize the size appearance of a center diamond, a halo can be a great addition to the 1 carat diamond.

Different diamond shapes will offer different levels of coverage on the wearer’s finger. If you’re looking to maximize finger coverage, consider a fancy cut elongated gemstone such as an oval diamond, an emerald cut diamond or a pear-shaped diamond.

There is no set rule for how many carats an engagement ring or wedding band should be. The right carat weight is the one that best fits your budget and matches the wearer’s style. A 1 carat diamond ring brings the perfect balance of style and price for many people.

As the most important of the 4Cs, cut is the first factor you should consider when shopping for 1 CT diamond rings or loose stones. Prioritize the best diamond cut grade in your budget to maximize brilliance. 

The larger a diamond is, the more apparent its coloration may be. The right cut and setting can help mask color.

Not all diamonds are priced equally, and 1 carat diamonds with higher GIA or IGI grading reports will often carry higher prices than diamonds with lower grades.

Keep your budget and the diamond factors that are most important to you in mind when shopping our variety of loose 1 carat diamonds for sale. It's important to remember that diamond carat doesn’t equal the exact size of a diamond, as each individual diamond can be faceted differently to highlight its best elements. That being said, most 1 carat diamonds will generally have similar measurements in similar cuts and shapes. Visit our local jewelry stores or schedule your virtual jewelry shopping appointment to learn more.

Yes, in addition to a wide selection of natural one carat diamonds for sale, we also offer this carat weight in lab grown diamonds of various shapes.

If you’re shopping for a 1 carat diamond ring, you can use our free ring sizer to find the right fit.

Yellow gold, white gold, rose gold, and platinum are the most popular precious metals for high-quality 1 CT diamond rings.