How Big a Diamond Does
My Budget Buy?
Drag the slider to see exactly what carat size your budget gets you, in both natural and lab-grown diamonds. The difference is significant and worth understanding before you walk into any jeweller.
All figures assume a round brilliant cut, standard gold setting, and a stone with good cut quality and certification (GIA or equivalent). Prices are approximate London market averages at time of writing. Lab-grown prices have fallen significantly in recent years. The clarity grades on each card are explained, with a loupe, in the clarity guide, and the cut guide explains why "excellent cut" appears on every card.
A premium natural stone with strong provenance and GIA certification.
Visually identical to a natural stone worth multiples of your budget.
What Each Budget Buys
Every budget point on the slider, natural and lab-grown side by side. Round brilliant, certificated, at approximate London prices.
| Budget | Natural diamond | Lab-grown diamond |
|---|---|---|
| £1,000 | 0.20ctSI1 · H colour · good cut | 0.55ctVS2 · G colour · excellent cut |
| £2,000 | 0.40ctSI1 · G–H colour · very good cut | 0.90ctVS2 · G colour · excellent cut |
| £3,000 | 0.60ctVS2–SI1 · G colour · very good cut | 1.30ctVS1 · F–G colour · excellent cut |
| £5,000 | 0.90ctVS2 · G colour · excellent cut | 2.00ctVVS · E–F colour · excellent cut |
| £7,000 | 1.15ctVS1–VS2 · F–G colour · excellent cut | 2.80ctVVS · D–E colour · excellent cut |
| £10,000 | 1.50ctVS1 · F colour · excellent cut | 3.80ctIF · D–E colour · excellent cut |
| £15,000 | 2.20ctVS1 · E–F colour · excellent cut | 5.50ctIF · D colour · excellent cut |
How to Choose a Setting
Solitaire, halo, pavé, bezel: what each setting does, who it suits, and how to decide.
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