5 Carat Diamond Ring Buying Guide from The Diamond Expert (2024)

A full 4-carats above the average engagement ring size, a 5-carat diamond can be considered a large diamond whilst still being a highly wearable carat weight. There is a misconception that a 5-carat diamond would be heavy on the hand, but 1g is about the same as a paperclip. It is the metal of a setting that makes rings heavy.

How to Buy a 5 Carat Diamond

One thing I learned during my years in the diamond district was that even when money is no object, all buyers love a saving – and why not! It makes no sense for the average buyer to spend tens/hundreds of thousands of dollars on qualities that cannot be appreciated by eye (unless you are buying for collection or investment purposes). Making good choices for diamond quality will result in savings that can be put towards a superb setting to finish the ring of your dreams.

These are my recommendations for the 4C’s of your 5-carat diamond.

Diamond Color

The goal is a sparkling, white diamond without overspending. A G-I color grade is the best way to achieve this. As part of the near colorless category, very few people can detect any color within diamonds at this grade. For warm metals such as rose and yellow gold, a J may even be suitable.

If you are setting your 5-carat diamond in a ring that features diamonds (halo, three-stone, pave etc), try to ensure the accompanying diamonds are a maximum of two grades out from your central stone.

Diamond Clarity

Eye-clean is all that matters when it comes to clarity. Achieving this is more challenging as carat weight increases as larger diamonds present flaws more readily and finding one without any is incredibly rare. Focus your search on a VS2 clarity grading – at this grade, inclusions are usually imperceptible to the naked eye. Use high-res imaging to guide your search.

Diamond Cut

I strongly recommend dedicating the lion’s share of your budget towards a super-ideal cut. Cut quality dictates the fire, scintillation and brilliance of a diamond. There are no shortcuts or substitutions for a quality cut.

Looking for the highest quality 5 carat diamonds? Check out Whiteflash’s A CUT ABOVE® loose diamonds. If you’re need a fancy shaped diamond consider Blue Nile and for a colored diamond try Leibish and Co.

How Much is a 5 Carat Diamond

The question at the crux of it all: how much is a 5-carat diamond ring? Let’s look at an example of a diamond that gets the Diamond Expert thumbs up.

Whiteflash A CUT ABOVE® round brilliant diamond

Carat weight: 5.217ct
Color: H
Clarity: VS2
Lab: AGS
Price: $131,000

5 Carat Diamond Ring Buying Guide from The Diamond Expert (1)

5.217 ct H VS2 A CUT ABOVE® Hearts and Arrows Diamond from Whiteflash

For me, this diamond ticks every single box. A world-class cut, a bright white sparkle and utterly eye clean. In all areas, this is a reasonable spend for a 5-carat diamond of this quality.

5 Carat Diamond Ring Buying Guide from The Diamond Expert (2)

A Lab-Created 5.03 Carat Princess Diamond from James Allen

Realistically, you need to set a budget of at least $128,000 for a quality 5 carat natural diamond. You will see diamonds for far less than this across the internet and even in jewelry shops, but resist the urge to shop cheap. A diamond is something to be respected and treasured and skimping on important qualities will result in a dull and disappointing stone.

5 Carat Lab Diamonds

Just like their natural counterparts, 5-carat lab-created diamonds are a rarity in the market, embodying both the grandeur and the significant presence that comes with such a substantial carat weight. These lab-grown gems offer a more sustainable and often more affordable alternative to natural diamonds, yet they share the same allure and beauty.

The pricing of 5-carat lab diamonds can vary widely, starting from around $3,700 to upwards of $24,000. This range reflects the diversity in quality, cut, color, and clarity that also influences the value of natural diamonds. However, it's important to note that the market for lab-created diamonds is currently experiencing a high degree of price volatility. This fluctuation is due to several factors, including advancements in technology, changes in supply and demand, and the evolving perception of lab-grown diamonds among consumers.

When considering a 5-carat lab diamond, it's crucial to conduct thorough research and possibly consult with a trusted jeweler. Despite their growing popularity, the rarity of such a large lab-created diamond means that finding the perfect stone requires patience and a keen eye for detail. Whether you're drawn to the sustainability aspect or the potential cost savings, a 5-carat lab diamond represents a significant investment in a piece that's both stunning and conversation-worthy.

Looking to find your perfect lab-created diamond? Explore the exquisite collections offered by Whiteflash, Brilliant Earth, and James Allen

Where Can I Buy a 5 Carat Diamond Ring?

Understandably, first time customers are sceptical about parting with this much money online. Rest assured that my recommended vendors are legitimate, honest and reputable. On top of the money you will save from buying online, you will also find a greater selection of diamonds and settings, and pressure-free guidance from their experts.

Big name jeweler’s typically have the monopoly on large diamonds. , Boodles, Harry Winston and DeBeers all sell some stunning pre-set jewelry – but prepared to easily slip into millions of dollars. These names carry huge premiums.

Diamonds of this size are extremely rare and getting the best quality is imperative, therefore I would only really recommend Whiteflash when purchasing a 5 carat diamond ring. They provide high res diamond light performance images with HD Video and a seamless service from start to finish. Their prices reflect the quality of the diamond rather than the name attached to them and have their own portfolio of designer settings to accompany your diamond.

5-carat diamonds are a remarkable choice for those seeking extraordinary beauty and significant presence in their jewelry. Whether natural or lab-created, these gems are rare and command attention, but they also require careful consideration of quality and budget. With prices varying greatly based on several factors, it's essential to research and choose a reputable retailer

For further advice on finding an exquisite 5-carat diamond ring, do not hesitate to contact me.

5 Carat Diamond Ring Buying Guide from The Diamond Expert (2024)

FAQs

What is the best cut for a 5 carat diamond? ›

Although round diamonds provide the most sparkle, any shape will give you tons of sparkle at the five-carat mark, while round diamonds begin to look less attractive, like large circles on your finger. Still, round and cushion-cut diamonds are best for a classic style.

What are the 4 C's of buying a diamond ring? ›

The four Cs are the four characteristics traditionally used to determine the quality and value of a diamond: carat, cut, clarity, and color. The characteristics of a diamond are graded and categorized by the diamond industry to establish its retail value.

What are the 5 C's of buying a ring? ›

Each diamond is unique being a combination of various qualities. These qualities are universally described as the 5 C's – Carat, Cut, Colour, Clarity and Confidence.

Is a 5 carat ring too big? ›

According to Landau, there's no such thing as too big a diamond—but she knows they're not for everyone. "It's so personal and it ultimately comes down to your lifestyle," she says. "To some, a 5-carat diamond ring is so big it looks fake. For others, there's no limit."

What is the most classy diamond cut? ›

The marquise cut is the ultimate in elegance. Its oval shape meets in pointed ends, resembling the hull of a ship—this cut is also known as the Navette cut (meaning “l*ttle boat” in French). In addition to being unique, this cut is also great for someone looking to create the illusion of elongated hands.

Which diamond cut has the most sparkle? ›

Round Brilliant Cut

The round cut is the most brilliant or the most sparkling diamond cut. Fifty-eight facets (including the culet) are cut into brilliant round diamonds to allow light to pass through and reflect off each facet.

What is more important, color or clarity? ›

Clarity is more important in shapes like emerald, princess, and asscher. Colour is important for cushion, radiant, pear and oval. Generally speaking, as long as you choose an eye-clean diamond, your diamond will still look beautiful in terms of clarity.

Which grade diamond is the best? ›

Flawless is the top grade in the GIA Clarity Grading System. Diamonds graded Flawless don't have visible inclusions or blemishes when examined under 10-power (10X) magnification by a skilled and experienced grader.

What is the most common diamond clarity for an engagement ring? ›

In terms of clarity, the most popular range for a diamond engagement ring is the VS1-VS2 diamond. Color is also a factor to consider when thinking about clarity. For example, it will be much easier to spot imperfections in a very clear white diamond than in a yellow diamond.

What is a flaw in a diamond? ›

The vast majority of diamonds have imperfections in the form of inclusions; material trapped within the diamond or disruptions in the carbon lattice that are the result of formation deep under the crust of the Earth over billions of years. They are referred to by many as flaws but to others as 'beauty marks'.

How do you know a good diamond ring? ›

1. Know the 4Cs. The first tip for buying a diamond engagement ring is to know the 4Cs: Color, Clarity, Cut and Carat Weight. Created by GIA, the 4Cs are the global standard for assessing the quality of diamonds and allow you to compare one diamond to another.

What is the rule of thumb for buying a ring? ›

You Should Spend Three Month's Worth of Your Salary on a Ring. "There is a long-standing cultural tradition of spending two to three months' salary on an engagement ring.

What is a respectable carat size? ›

Age is more than just a number and location matters.

According to jewelry experts, the average carat size largely depends on age and location. The average size for the US couple is one carat, while most European couples stay around 0.5-0.6 carat.

What carat ring is too big? ›

Too big is relative. While a 1.5 carat diamond is larger than the average, what is considered “too big” is personal. If you prefer a more petite diamond of around 0.5 to 1 carat, then yes, it would be too big. However, if you are looking for a larger stone of 2 carats and up, then a 1.5 carat would be too small.

Which diamond shape looks the biggest? ›

The marquise diamond shape has the largest appearance of any shape. It has a similar elongated look as the oval and pear shapes, but both ends form tapered points. The marquise shape will always look the largest because those tapered points create the largest surface area of all the shapes.

What cut of diamond holds the most value? ›

The most expensive diamond shape is by far, the round brilliant cut diamond. This cut has 58 facets to reflect the maximum amount of light, making it the most sparkly and brilliant of all the diamond cuts. The round cut diamond requires a lot of skill and precision to cut correctly, which adds to its high cost.

Which cut makes a diamond look bigger? ›

The marquise diamond shape has the largest appearance of any shape. It has a similar elongated look as the oval and pear shapes, but both ends form tapered points. The marquise shape will always look the largest because those tapered points create the largest surface area of all the shapes.

What is the best cut quality for a diamond? ›

By far the most popular cut is the Round Brilliant, with it's fifty-seven perfectly aligned facets it's brilliance really does out-shine the others. Total internal reflection is the key here; light travels through the stone giving optimum sparkle and scintillation.

What is diamond ideal cut? ›

An ideal cut diamond is a round, brilliant, or princess cut diamond that is cut to ideal proportions and angles and has excellent polish and symmetry ratings. An ideal cut diamond reflects almost all the light that enters it, and is among the rarest cuts.

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