Calculating the price of diamonds may be a little tricky, but not impossible. Like every other market, the market for diamonds is equally rational. In a diamond market, you essentially get what you pay for.
Choosing a perfect diamond that fits your budget and complements your style is indeed a difficult job. The prices of diamonds are not standard, instead they vary based on the quality and rarity of the stone and its 4Cs.
But, the question is, are you actually getting for the price you’re asked to pay?
In today’s blog, we’ll be seeing how the prices of diamonds are calculated and the factors that affect the same. Towards the end, you’ll also get three quick tips to improve your diamond-buying experience.
So, let’s dive straightaway into the blog!
Before you embark on the journey of diamond buying, as a buyer it is important to know a few things about the same. They are as follows:
- Educate yourself about the 4Cs
- Understand the impact of 4Cs on the quality and price of the diamond
- Always pay extra heed to the cut of the diamond as it determines its overall quality
- You may fluctuate the colour and carat a bit based on your budget
- Find a reliable vendor
- Lookout for certification
How is the Price of a Diamond Calculated?
Since the 1970s, the diamond pricing chart, also known as the Rappaport list, has come as a handy tool to calculate the diamond’s value based on the 4Cs. Read our blog on 4Cs of diamonds to understand the concept in detail.
The list gives an approximate value of polished diamonds to the traders based on their color, clarity and size. It is represented in a tabular format and is updated weekly.
It is important to note that the price per carat of diamonds on this list is in increments of $100.
A simple formula of multiplying the carat weight by the diamond price per carat is used to determine the cost of a diamond.
(referring to the image on price scope.com)
For instance, to calculate the price of 0.96ct H VVS2 round brilliant cut, we must locate the cell on the table and substitute the values. The price given for H VVS2 is 61 ($100s).
Thus,
Cost = Carat weight x diamond price per carat
= 0.96 X 6100
Final Cost = $5,856
Also, note that the final price of a diamond in the market may differ based on the charges imposed by the lab on the final product. However, this is the minimum price that a vendor is expected to charge for 0.96ct of diamond in colour H, Clarity VVS2 and shape brilliant round cut.
Similarly, we can calculate the price of a more than one-carat diamond. For instance, to calculate the price of 1.35 ct of brilliant round cut, G VS2, we simply multiply the values and get the cost. That is, 1.35 x 7700 = $10,395
In short, the prices determined by the Rappaport list, although not final, act as a guiding post for traders and buyers to understand the value of diamonds.
6 Factors That Determine Diamond Pricing
Diamond Prices and Carat
The carat of a diamond plays a key role in determining its price. That said, usually, the higher the carats of diamond, the higher its price. However, the carat alone does not determine the price of a diamond. It is affected by many other factors (which you’ll see in a short while).
1-Carat Diamond Price: 1-carat diamonds are usually bought for wedding or engagement rings. The timeless shape of a round brilliant cut is demanded mostly for wedding rings. The price of a one-carat round brilliant-cut diamond may range from $2000 to $20,000.
2-Carat Diamond price: The average price of a 2-carat round brilliant cut diamond ranges from $9800-$64,500. This sudden jump in price is due to the increase in price per carat.
Cut
The cut quality is perhaps the most important factor in determining the price of a diamond. A good cut enhances the beauty and optical performance of the diamonds.
Traditionally, diamonds were cut in a way to retain maximum weight while neglecting the spark and the brilliance. However, today, cutters pay extra attention to ensuring a cut that offers the best sparkle even at the cost of its carat.
While choosing a diamond, you may tweak the other factors as per your budget, but, don’t compromise on the cut!
Colour
Color refers to the slight hue present in diamonds. The colour-grading scale (refer to the below table) reflects the differences, although very slight, in different diamonds.
The colour differences may be slight but their impact on its price is vast. Thus, colourless diamonds are scarce and command higher prices.
Selecting the right colour depends a lot on your likes and preferences. It is important to select the colour while keeping your budget in mind.
Colourless | D-F | Extremely rare |
Nearly Colourless | G-J | Rare |
Faint | K-M | Rare |
Very Light | N-R | Widely available |
Light | S-Z | Plentiful |
Clarity
Clarity, too, plays a key role in determining the price of a diamond. For instance, flawless diamonds are rarest in terms of clarity and thus command higher prices. The following table offers a peek into the clarity chart of diamonds:
Flawless Internally Flawless | FL IF | Always Eye Clean |
Very Very Slightly Included | VVS1 and VVS2 | Characteristics are Minute |
Very Slightly Included | VS1 and VS2 | Characteristics are Minor |
Slightly Included | SI1 and SI2 | Characteristics are Noticeable |
Included | i1, i2 and i3 | Characteristics are Obvious |
As you move from FL and IF to lower clarity grades, you may notice a decreasing trend in price. Usually, VS1 and SI1 are the clarity that allows you to get the best diamond in terms of clarity without burning a hole in your pocket.
Further, for testing the clarity of a diamond,q you may use high-res imaging or a jeweller’s loupe.
Shape
The shape of a diamond refers to the outline of a diamond that we see while glancing at one. For instance, it might be heart shape, round oval, emerald, etc.
The round-shaped diamonds are usually of higher price while princess and oval are more affordable options.
Grading
A grading report offers details of a diamond’s attributes, such as its precise cut, clarity, colour, and more. This way, a buyer can be better aware of what they’re paying for.
A grading report may add a bit of strain to your budget, but given the pros, it’s better to invest in the same. SGL’s diamond certificate is widely considered as a mark of reliability in the industry.
Other Market Factors
Just like every other factor in a free market economy, the prices of diamonds depend a great deal on the forces of demand and supply. How? Let’s see!
Supply:
- Real diamonds, that is to say, which are naturally formed in the crust of the Earth are scarcely available. Even their presence is not concentrated. As a result, a lot of pressure is put on mines to increase the supply. Read our blog to know the biggest diamond mines of the world.
- It is also possible that global events such as the recent pandemic may affect the supply of diamonds. For instance, a report by Bain stated that diamond production fell 20% in 2020 while its sales plummeted 33%. As the result, the miners increased the prices and limited the supply.
- Another possibility is that supply may be intentionally restricted by the miners especially when the prices are low.
Demand:
- The state of the global economy plays a key role in determining the demand for diamonds. Undoubtedly, diamonds are coveted by people across the globe. The demand for diamonds in major economies like the US, China and India have a great impact on the overall demand for the same.
- Also, we are aware that demand is determined by the tastes and preferences of people. In the last century or so, diamonds were demanded by kings, queens and other social elites. Today, however, it has changed, That is not to say that people no more demand diamonds. But, people’s preferences have been shifting towards international travel and other luxuries.
- The demand for the diamond depends on advertising. There’s no denying that things that are seen are sold. That’s why major mining companies today are investing heavily in the advertisement of their diamonds.
3 Important Tips for Diamond Buying Success
Although diamond buying may seem an overwhelming task, it is important to pay attention to the key factors that can lead to success in diamond buying. Here are three simple tips that can help you get the best diamond for the price.
- Price Chart: Best diamond vendors usually offer a price chart. This can help you in doing your homework and determining which diamond suits your likes and your pocket! Further, an updated Rappaport list can also help you in being aware of the market prices of diamonds and help you in making a sound decision.
- Quality: The 4Cs of diamond have a major impact on not only its price but also its quality. Thus, understanding them properly before making a purchase is important. Usually, the vendors offer in-depth guides exploring the 4Cs of diamonds to educate their potential buyers and aid in decision-making.
- Certification: Certification from a reliable source ensures the authenticity of diamonds. It acts as an added boon. So, make sure to get certified diamonds from trusted sources.