Diamond Prices — How Much Does a Diamond Really Cost?
From €250 for a beautiful quarter-carat to investment-grade stones worth tens of thousands — diamond prices vary enormously. This guide shows you real price ranges from our Antwerp inventory, explains exactly what drives the cost, and reveals how buying direct from the diamond capital saves you up to 75% compared to high-street retail.
75%
Below Retail
€250+
Starting Price
3
Lab certificates
1987
Established
Diamond Price Overview
How Much Does a Diamond Cost?
Real price ranges from our current Antwerp inventory. All diamonds are natural, certified by GIA, HRD Antwerp or IGI, and include laser inscription.
| Carat Weight | Diamantwerp Price Range | Popular Average | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.30 ct Ø 4.3 mm | €250 – €900 | ~€450 | Browse |
| 0.50 ct Ø 5.1 mm | €500 – €2,500 | ~€1,400 | Browse |
| 1.00 ct Ø 6.4 mm Most Popular | €1,700 – €12,000 | ~€4,000 | Browse |
| 1.50 ct Ø 7.3 mm | €3,500 – €20,000 | ~€8,500 | Browse |
| 2.00 ct Ø 8.2 mm | €6,000 – €30,000 | ~€14,000 | Browse |
| 3.00 ct Ø 9.3 mm | €15,000 – €80,000+ | ~€35,000 | Browse |
* Prices based on round brilliant diamonds. Fancy shapes (oval, cushion, emerald, etc.) are typically 15–30% lower. All prices exclude VAT for B2B buyers; VAT-inclusive pricing available. Prices are indicative and updated regularly from our live inventory.
See the Difference
High-Street Retail vs. Diamantwerp
The same certified diamond, the same quality — just without the retail markup. Here is what typical high-street jewellers charge versus our direct-from-Antwerp prices.
Retail benchmark based on average European high-street jeweller pricing for comparable GIA-certified diamonds. Your actual savings depend on diamond specifications. Learn about our certification standards →
Understanding Diamond pricing
How the 4 C’s Affect Diamond Prices
Four factors determine every diamond's price. Understanding their relative impact helps you make the smartest choice for your budget.
Cut — The Biggest Impact on Beauty
Cut quality determines how a diamond handles light. An Excellent cut diamond sparkles dramatically more than a Good cut of the same colour and clarity — and can command a 15–25% premium. This is the one factor where we recommend never compromising, because cut is what makes a diamond come alive.
Diamantwerp tip: We pre-select only Excellent and Very Good cut diamonds. You will never find a poorly-cut stone in our inventory.
Carat — The Exponential Factor
Diamond prices do not increase linearly with size. A 2 carat diamond costs far more than double a 1 carat stone of equivalent quality, because larger rough diamonds are exponentially rarer. Prices also jump at "magic numbers" — 0.50ct, 1.00ct, 1.50ct and 2.00ct — where demand spikes.
Save up to 20%: Buying just below a magic number (e.g. 0.90ct instead of 1.00ct) delivers virtually identical visual size at a significantly lower price.
Colour — The Value Sweet Spot
Diamond colour is graded from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow). Each step down saves approximately 8–15% — yet the difference between D and G is invisible to the untrained eye, especially once the diamond is set in jewellery. This makes G–H colour the most popular value choice.
Expert insight: For yellow or rose gold settings, you can comfortably choose I–J colour. The warm metal tone masks any faint warmth in the diamond.
Clarity — Where Smart Buyers Save
Clarity measures internal inclusions and surface blemishes. The range runs from FL (Flawless) to I3 (Included). Here is the insider knowledge: VS2 and SI1 diamonds are "eye-clean" — no inclusions visible without 10× magnification — yet cost 30–50% less than VVS grades.
Best value grades: VS2 for stones under 1.5ct, VS1 for larger diamonds where inclusions may become more noticeable due to the larger table facet.
Browse by size
Shop Diamonds by Carat Weight
Select a carat weight to browse our certified loose diamonds, with expert guidance on what to look for at each size.
* Diamond sizes shown are indicational and not to actual scale. Appearance varies by screen size and resolution.
Browse by Budget
Find Your Perfect Diamond at Every Price
Not sure where to start? Choose your budget and discover what is possible when you buy direct from Antwerp.
Under €1000
Beautiful accent stones, stud earrings, and thoughtful diamond gifts.
Under €2000
Elegant half-carat range. Perfect for engagement rings on a smart budget.
Under €5000
The engagement ring sweet spot. Beautiful 1 carat diamonds with excellent specifications.
Expert advice
Insider Tips to Get More Diamond for Your Money
01
Buy Just Below Magic Numbers
A 0.90ct diamond is visually almost identical to a 1.00ct (6.2mm vs 6.4mm diameter), yet costs 10–20% less. The same trick works at 0.48ct, 1.45ct and 1.90ct. Diamond pricing jumps sharply at round numbers due to demand — buying just below lets you avoid this premium entirely.
02
Prioritise Cut Over Colour
A well-cut G colour diamond will outsparkle a poorly-cut D colour every time. Cut quality is the single biggest factor in how beautiful a diamond looks to the eye. Invest your budget here first, then optimise colour and clarity with what remains.
03
Consider Fancy Shapes
Oval, cushion and emerald cut diamonds cost 15–30% less than round brilliants of the same carat weight, because less rough material is wasted during cutting. Bonus: elongated shapes like oval and marquise appear visually larger than their actual carat weight suggests.
The antwerp advantage
Why Buying From Antwerp Saves You Thousands
Antwerp has been the world's diamond capital for over five centuries. Today, more than 80% of the world's rough diamonds pass through the city's diamond district — a single square kilometre containing 1,500 diamond companies and four diamond exchanges.
At Diamantwerp, our office sits in the heart of this district on Hoveniersstraat. Since 1987, we have worked directly with cutters and polishers, eliminating the chain of importers, wholesalers and retail markups that typically add 100–300% to a diamond's cost. When you buy from us, you are buying at the closest point to the source.
- Direct access to Antwerp's cutters and polishers
- No importers, wholesalers or retail chain markups
- Every diamond certified by GIA, HRD Antwerp or IGI
- Laser-inscribed certificate number for verification
- Direct access to Antwerp's cutters and polishers
Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions About Diamond Prices
How much does a 1 carat diamond cost?
A 1 carat diamond at Diamantwerp typically costs between €1,700 and €12,000, depending on cut quality, colour grade, and clarity. The most popular combination — G colour, VS2 clarity, Excellent cut — averages around €4,000. That is up to 75% less than what you would pay at a traditional high-street jeweller for the identical certified stone.
Why are diamonds cheaper in Antwerp?
Antwerp processes over 80% of the world's rough diamonds. Buying from an Antwerp-based dealer like Diamantwerp eliminates multiple intermediaries — importers, wholesalers, and retail chains — each of which typically adds 30–50% markup. Our office in the diamond district gives us direct access to cutters and polishers, passing savings of up to 75% directly on to you.
What is the best diamond quality for the money?
For the best value, choose an Excellent or Very Good cut (this affects sparkle the most), G–H colour (appears white to the naked eye), and VS2–SI1 clarity (eye-clean without the premium of VVS grades). This combination maximises beauty while keeping your investment accessible. Our team can help you find the perfect balance for your specific budget.
Are all your diamonds certified?
Yes, without exception. Every diamond we sell comes with an independent certificate from GIA (Gemological Institute of America), HRD Antwerp, or IGI (International Gemological Institute). Each certificate includes a unique laser inscription number engraved on the diamond's girdle, which you can verify directly with the certifying laboratory.
How does carat weight affect diamond price?
Diamond prices increase exponentially with carat weight, not linearly. A 2 carat diamond costs significantly more than twice the price of a 1 carat diamond of the same quality, because larger rough diamonds are exponentially rarer. Prices also jump at popular sizes — 0.50ct, 1.00ct, 1.50ct, and 2.00ct — due to higher demand at these "magic numbers."
Can I save money by buying just under a full carat?
Absolutely — this is one of the smartest insider strategies. A 0.90–0.99 carat diamond can cost 10–20% less than a 1.00 carat diamond of identical quality, with virtually no visible size difference (6.2mm vs 6.4mm diameter for round brilliants). The same principle applies at every milestone weight: consider 0.48ct instead of 0.50ct, or 1.90ct instead of 2.00ct.
