Ultimate Guide to Buying a 2 Carat Diamond Ring

When you are looking to make an impressive proposal and seal the deal, the best way to do it is with a 2-carat diamond engagement ring which is a fabulous symbol of love and commitment. It is often referred to as a “statement diamond” because of its sheer size and brilliance. A 2 carat diamond ring never fails to turn heads. It symbolizes not only love, but also assigns an elite and elegant appearance to its wearer.

Buying a 2-carat diamond ring, however, can be a time-consuming, frustrating experience fraught with risks. If you do not know much about 2 carat diamonds, you must spend several hours learning about them before entering a jewelry store. Doing your research is a must as these stones are rare and expensive and buying a low quality one by mistake is going to burn a large hole in your pocket.

The following is the ultimate guide to buying a 2-carat diamond ring. By the time you finish reading this article, you will learn more about the following:

• Reasons 2 carat diamonds are expensive
• Differences between carat weight and diamond size
• The 4Cs and how they can help you find the right diamond
• Reasons certification is important
• How to save money while buying a 2-carat diamond

Carat Weight vs. Diamond Size – Understand the Difference

Most people believe that diamond carat weight and diamond size are synonymous, but there is a huge difference between the two. While choosing a diamond, you should take into consideration both carat weight and size.

To put it very simple, a diamond’s carat is its weight. One carat, also written as 1 ct, is 0.2 grams or 200 milligrams. It is not to be confused with karat, which refers to the purity of gold. On the other hand, a diamond’s size refers to its width, height, and surface area.

Customers are usually interested only in the top of a diamond as that is the only part of the stone that is actually visible when it is set in gold or platinum. The depth of a stone is not really important to a customer because most of it is hidden in the metal that holds it.

Customers also consider the way a diamond is cut because it determines the way the diamond reflects light and how brilliantly it shines.

To sum up, carat refers to the weight of a diamond while size refers to its dimensions. Two diamonds can have the same carat but different sizes depending on how they are cut. Similarly, you can have two diamonds of the same size, but different carats.

How Carat and Size Affect Each Other

The way a diamond is cut can have a major impact on its carat. A lot also depends on the shape of the stone. For example, emerald shaped diamonds are shallow and rectangular while round diamonds are deeper.

Diamonds that have the same carat and cut can also have varying sizes depending on how their proportions are shaped. For example, a diamond cutter can give different heights or widths to two round diamonds weighing 1 carat each. Even if their shape and weight is the same, the deeper diamond will look smaller in a ring while the shallower diamond looks bigger.

Jewelers can also cut lighter or heavier diamonds by varying the sizes of certain parts of it. For example, a jeweler can give one of two round diamonds having the same diameter a deeper cut and a thicker girdle to increase its carat. Since the diamond with the deeper cut is heavier, it will cost more although it will appear the same size as the diamond that does not have a deeper cut.

Needless to say, carat plays in important role in determining the prize of a stone. Jewelers, therefore, try to cut diamonds in a way that makes them heavier. At the same time, they have to be careful not to overdo it. Attempting to adjust a stone’s dimensions just to make it heavier will result in an unattractive stone with a poor quality. It is not just carat, but also the quality of a diamond’s cut that determines its price.

Factors to Consider While Choosing a Diamond

In the light of the above information, you have to consider the following factors while choosing a diamond:

• Price
• Size
• Visible part of the diamond in a setting
• Cut quality of the diamond

The stone you ultimately choose to purchase should be large enough with a high quality cut that makes it shine brilliantly. For instance, a round stone with a very shallow cut may appear to be very large in a ring, but won’t shine as much as you would like it to.

Cuts, Shapes, and Sizes of 2 Carat Diamond Rings

• Shapes – 2 carat diamonds are beautiful in any shape, but each shape has a surface area of its own, which makes it different from the others.

Shape, therefore, has an impact on the appearance of a diamond. Depending on their table size, which is what the top-level surface of the stone is called, 2 carat diamonds cut in certain shapes may appear larger.

Shape	Table Surface for 2 Carat Diamond
Round Brilliant	8.19 mm x 8.19 mm
Princess	6.94mm x 6.94mm
Emerald	8.42mm x 6.24mm
Asscher	7.07mm x 7.07mm
Radiant	7.28mm x 7.28mm
Cushion	7.34mm x 7.34mm
Oval	10.23mm x 6.82mm
Pear	11.4mm x 6.87mm
Heart	8.27mm x 8.27mm
Marquise	13.08mm x 6.54mm
Trillion	9.75mm x 9.75mm

• Ring Size– When you purchase a 2 carat diamond engagement ring, you should know the wearer’s correct ring size. If you want to surprise the wearer, you should use an older ring or request a friend to find out the wearer’s finger size. You can also use a plastic ring sizer.

The size of a ring depends on its diameter. Accordingly, a ring sized five is 14.3mm in diameter, a ring sized 6 is 14.7mm in diameter, and a ring sized 7 is 14.9mm in diameter. Finding the correct size is essential to avoid having to resize the ring if it does not fit.

• Clarity – When you are buying a 2 carat diamond, you should take the time to evaluate its clarity. This is because they have a larger table surface than 1 carat diamonds. Blemishes, if any, are therefore easily visible. A diamond’s clarity is determined by the number of extra facets, blemishes, or inclusions it contains.

An eye-clean diamond, which is the term used for diamonds that look flawless to the naked eye, look just like flawless diamonds, but will have a lower price. However, finding an eye-clean 2 carat diamond is more difficult than finding eye-clean diamonds of lower weight.

The following is the Gemological Institute of America’s (GIA) scale for clarity in diamonds:

• IF – Internally Flawless
• VVSI – Very Very Small Inclusions 1
• VVS2 – Very Very Small Inclusions 2
• VS1 – Very Small Inclusions 1
• VS2 – Very Small Inclusions 2
• SI1 – Small Inclusions 1
• SI2 – Small Inclusions 2
• I1 – Inclusions 1
• I2 – Inclusions 2

Buying a VS1 grade 2 carat diamond is highly recommended as its flaws cannot be seen with the naked eye. Make sure that your diamond is eye clean when you purchase it. If you are unable to determine this on your own, get the help of an expert.

• Color – The GIA grades diamond color on a scale that ranges from D to Z. D grade diamonds are as colorless or clear as diamonds can possibly be. Z grade diamonds have a distinct brown or yellow tint.

If you are not an expert, you will find it very difficult to determine the slight differences in color grades. But buying a diamond with a lower color grade can save you a lot of money.

While purchasing your diamond, you must ensure that its color matches the color of the jewelry in which it is set. You will get engagement rings in 14k or 18k rose gold, yellow gold, platinum, or white gold.

A diamond with color grade K may look great when it is set in a ring of yellow gold, but tinted in a ring of white gold. If you are buying a 2 carat diamond with a lower color grade, you have to make sure that it is set in a metal that is darker.

We suggest choosing 2 carat diamonds having color grades ranging from G to I as they resemble diamonds with color grades ranging from D to F, but have lower prices. You have to also make sure that the cut grade of your diamond is excellent as it will enhance the brilliance of the stone.

• Certificate –Finally, make sure that the diamond has an American Gemological Society (AGS) or GIA certificate. Both GIA and AGS are highly reputed diamond assessment bodies that provide consistent and accurate reports of all the diamonds they assess.

There are other diamond assessment labs, but as far as possible, you should avoid purchasing a diamond that does not bear a GIA or AGS certificate.

Average Price of a 2 Carat Diamond

The average price of a 2 carat diamond could be anywhere in the range of $2000 – $60,000 depending on the quality of the stone you would like to purchase.

If you are on a budget, a round diamond weighing two carats could cost anywhere in the range of $14,000 – $17,000. If you are looking for fancier shapes such as princess cuts or cushion cuts, you may have to spend in the range of $11,000 – $15,000.

If you have money to spend, you can go as high as $22,000 – $25,000 for a brilliant cut diamond weighing two carats. Diamonds with fancy shapes may cost you in the range of $16,000 – $22,000.

4Cs: Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Color

The factors that determine the price of a diamond are called the 4Cs: Carat, Cut, Clarity, and Color. In addition, size, certification, and shape also have their own roles to play.

1. Carat– Diamond price increases with its weight (carat) as carat is an excellent indicator of the rarity of a stone. 2 carat diamonds rings are made with larger diamonds that are very difficult to obtain. The size of the stone, however, does not matter as much as its weight. In fact, size is least important while determining the price of a stone.
2. Cut– The way the stone is cut also plays a major role in determining its price. Stones with high quality cuts give them a brilliant appearance. Stones cut at right angles can reflect light better and therefore sparkle more.
3. Clarity– High quality diamonds are the ones with the most clarity and, therefore, they cost the most. If a diamond has flaws, it costs lesser. Some diamonds are yellow or brown in color. Such colored stones, though exquisite, cost lesser than clear diamonds.

In addition to the 4Cs, the following market conditions also have a great role to play in determining the price of a diamond.

According to a report released by Bain and Company in 2017, the price of diamonds will continue to increase at a rate of 1 – 4 percent till 2030. Owners of diamond mines are known to restrict the supply of diamonds for several years to increase their cost.

Moreover, there is a rising demand for different colored diamonds. This demand could lead to an increase in the cost of colored diamond rings.

Purchasing a 2 Carat Diamond Ring – Money Saver Tips

If you have decided to purchase a 2-carat diamond ring, you must first understand that it could cost you up to $60,000, which is quite a lot of money.

Fortunately, there are a number of ways you can save money while purchasing a 2-carat diamond ring provided you are willing to sacrifice on carat, cut, clarity, and color.

Colored Diamonds

You can save a lot of money by just being willing to purchase rings with colored diamonds. For example, a chocolate diamond ring, which is yellow or brown in color, can look as lovely as clear diamond rings.

Flawed Diamond

Diamonds that display no flaws when observed under a 10x microscope are the most expensive as they bear the flawless (FL) rating. A diamond with a few flaws can look just as stunning, but will cost must lesser.

Cut

Avoid sacrificing the cut of your stone. If you choose a stone with a low-grade cut, your diamond will just not look good. Avoid buying stones with cuts that are below the very good grade.

Shape

Diamonds with certain shapes cost lesser than conventional shapes such as marquise, round, princess cut. Halo shaped and emerald-cut diamonds, on the other hand, have reasonable rates. If you choose a diamond with such a shape, you can get a clear diamond with excellent cut at a reasonable price.

Discounts

Ask the jeweler if there is any discount or wait till the jeweler advertises a discount. Avoid buying diamonds during the holiday seasons as they are very expensive during that time.

Shop Around

Avoid purchasing the first diamond ring you come across. Instead, spend some time shopping around and exploring other deals. There is a chance to get a better quality stone at lower rates from some other jeweler.

Purchase Online

Purchasing online is risky as you cannot examine the stone you are about to purchase. However, you can get 2 carat diamond rings at lower rates if you purchase them online. To ensure that you get the best stone, examine the certification and return policy before actually making the purchase.

Close to 2 Carats

You don’t have to purchase a diamond that is exactly 2 carats. You can save some money by going in for a stone that is close to 2 carats, such as 1.9 carat. Nobody will be able to realize that your 1.9 carat diamond is not a 2-carat diamond.

How to Choose a High Quality 2 Carat Diamond Ring  

The following are four important tips to help you choose a high-quality 2 carat diamond ring:

Don’t Depend on the Sales Representatives

Do your own research before walking into a jewelry store to purchase a 2-carat diamond ring. Read as much as possible about 2 carat diamond rings so that you can ask intelligent and informed questions while making your purchase.

Never depend entirely on the sales executive because they are paid to tell you exactly what you want to hear and sell you the product at any cost. Moreover, sales representatives are not really interested in getting you a good deal. They are more interested in their commission.

Research the 4Cs

Before attempting to purchase your 2-carat diamond, research the 4Cs. For instance, you should be aware that a 2 carat VVS1 diamond ring will give you a stone with small blemishes that you can see only when you view it under a microscope.

Examine the Stone

Before purchasing the stone, you must examine it carefully under fluorescent as well as natural light. Diamonds cannot produce their own light. They can only reflect the light that falls on their surface.

You have to spend some time studying how your stone reflects the light that falls on it. Jewelers are in the habit of displaying their diamonds in dimly lit rooms in order to hide their true quality.

Study the Diamond Certification

Never buy a stone without reading its certificate. These are reports prepared by independent gemology labs that carefully assess the stones and you can rely on them.

2 Carat Diamond Rings FAQs

Q1: What are the important factors I should consider while purchasing a diamond?

A: You should consider the 4Cs—color, cut, carat weight, and clarity. Each of these 4Cs will help you choose a sparkling diamond of the best quality.

Q2: How do I take care of my 2-carat diamond?

A: When you wear your diamonds, they get dirty. When you don’t wear them, they gather dust. So you have to clean them regularly otherwise the diamonds will lose their brilliance and luster.

You can clean your 2-carat diamond ring at home using a soft brush, soap, and water. You can also use one of the jewelry cleaners that are available in the stores.

You should store your diamond jewelry in soft cloth pouches to make sure that they do not get scratches.

Avoid wearing your diamond jewelry when you are cleaning the house as you don’t want your sparkling stone to come in contact with cleaning chemicals.

Q3: How can I size a diamond?

A: You can measure your diamond in terms of millimeter or carat weight. While the millimeter tells you the size of your diamond, the carat tells you the weight of the diamond. Usually, diamonds are priced according to their carat, but the millimeter of a diamond is just as important.

Q4: What is the difference between the size of a 1 carat diamond and a 2 carat diamond?

A: A 1 carat diamond has a size of 0.6 mm and a 2-carat diamond has a size of 0.8 mm.

Q5: How can I be sure of a diamond’s carat weight?

A: You have to check the diamond’s GIA certificate, which mentions clearly both the millimeter measurement and the carat weight of the diamond. A diamond certification procedure is used to determine these two factors. An independent gemology lab such as GIA or AGS issues this certificate. The report also shows other important information such as the measurements, grade cut, weight, clarity, and color of the diamond.

Q6: Are 2 carat diamonds too big to wear?

A: Two carat diamonds are not too big to wear although it depends on finger size and individual tastes and preferences. Many people are comfortable wearing their 2 carat diamond rings every day.

A 2-carat diamond ring would appear bigger on individuals with thin fingers, so you should consider the size of your fingers while purchasing a diamond ring.

Q7: Why does a 2-carat diamond ring cost more than a 1 carat diamond ring?

A: Most people expect a 2-carat diamond ring to cost the exact double of a 1 carat diamond ring. But 2 carat diamond rings are way more expensive.

The price of 2 carat diamonds is much higher simply because they are rare. A high-quality 2 carat diamond is rarer than a 2-carat diamond of low quality. If a jeweler offers you a 2 carat diamond ring at very cheap rates, you can safely conclude that it is a poor quality stone.

Getting It Just Right  

2 carat diamond rings are popular because many find them to be elegant and beautiful. But this does not mean that everybody wants to obtain a 2-carat diamond. A number of diamond buyers also feel that they are too big and too expensive.

Determined to get hold of a 2-carat diamond, many buyers sacrifice one or more of the 4Cs. People purchase diamonds with warmer colors while others purchase smaller stones with better clarity.

Irrespective of your tastes and preferences, you should know exactly what you are doing while purchasing a 2-carat diamond ring for your beloved.

We encourage you to return to this website to get more information about purchasing diamond rings. You can even send us an email if you want any assistance.