Diamonds are indeed expensive, but the cost of a diamond can vary from stone-to-stone. Some of the factors that affect the cost of a diamond include:
Cut: A diamond’s cut refers to its symmetry, proportions, and facet arrangement. A diamond with a high-quality cut will have an intense sparkle.
Color: A colour grade is used to measure the lack of colour found in a white diamond. The most expensive diamonds are colourless, which means there are no hints of yellow-brown in the stone.
Clarity: The term “clarity” refers to the presence of inclusions and blemishes. Flawless diamonds are incredibly rare and very valuable.
Carat: The carat is a measure of a diamond’s weight. Heavier diamonds are larger than lighter diamonds and thus more expensive.
Every diamond is unique. For example, the average cost of a one-carat diamond will fall between $2,700-$5,500. Where a one-carat diamond falls in this range will depend mainly on its cut, colour, clarity, and carat.
Keep this in mind if you are shopping on a budget. For instance, if colour is not very important to you, stay within your price range by choosing a diamond with a slightly lower colour grade.
The Most Expensive Diamonds in the World
The diamonds that are found in most jewellery stones can cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars, but there are also diamonds that are worth millions. Here’s a look at some of the most expensive diamonds in the world:
Cullinan I and Cullinan II: These two diamonds, which are 530.2 and 317.4 carats respectively, were cut from the same 3,106-carat diamond. The nine diamonds that were cut from this massive diamond are collectively worth billions of dollars.
Centenary Diamond: This 599-carat flawless diamond was cut down to 273.85 carats shortly after being discovered. The exact value is unknown, but it has been insured for $100 million.
Hope Diamond: The 45.52-carat Hope Diamond was gifted to the Smithsonian Museum by Harry Winston. Its estimated worth is $200 million.
The Regent Diamond: This 140.64-carat cushion cut diamond is on display at the Louvre Museum in Paris, France. It is believed to be worth about $61 million.
These diamonds are unbelievably expensive, but fortunately, most diamonds will not set you back millions or billions of dollars.
Beautiful Diamonds Are Priceless
There’s no doubt that diamonds are expensive, but some are far more affordable than others. As a result, there’s no need to shy away from diamonds simply because you are working with a small budget. You will have no trouble finding a stunning diamond that is well within your price range!