Interactive guide
How Big a Diamond Does
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.
Your budget
£5,000
Natural diamond
0.90ct
Lab-grown diamond
2.00ct
Natural diamond
0.90ct
VS2 clarity · G colour · excellent cut
A premium natural stone with strong provenance and GIA certification.
Lab-grown diamond
2.00ct
VVS clarity · E–F colour · excellent cut
Visually identical to a natural stone worth multiples of your budget.
At £5,000, lab grown gives you more than twice the stone for the same money. Both are excellent quality with GIA certification. The only difference is origin.
Continue the journey
How to Choose a Setting
Solitaire, halo, pavé, bezel: what each setting does, who it suits, and how to decide.
Read nextOr go straight to the Hatton Garden visit planner or the Top 100.