How Much is a 5-Carat Diamond?

Hunting for a 5-carat diamond means you’re a lover of big rocks. It also means you like your jewelry loud and conspicuous, exhibiting heightened confidence. It may also mean you’re looking to set the stone on a necklace, pendant, or brooch. Whichever the case, the fact remains that a 5-carat diamond will mean more money and closer observation.

But you may not be sure about how much the stone will cost, and even if you’re offered a price, you’ll need to confirm its value. It’s why learning how to shop for a 5-carat diamond is essential, so you can compare the value with the quality it offers. This way, you’ll be certain whether the price you’re offered is worth the stone.

What is a 5-Carat Diamond?

The carat refers to a diamond’s weight and is the standard unit of measuring it for sale. And a carat equals one gram, roughly the weight of paperclips and thumbtacks. So, by this logic, a 5-carat diamond would be equal to 5 grams or 0.035 ounces. With such numbers, you’ll feel the weight of the stone when you wear it on a ring, though it may not be as pronounced as a pendant.

A 5-carat diamond will also be obvious to anyone, including those who aren’t looking to notice. The stone’s size is estimated at around 11 mm, if you’re dealing with a round-cut, meaning wider shapes will look much larger. You can compare the stone’s size to roughly the shape of a grain of corn lying on its side or a large white bean- not a size you’d call being discreet.

5-Carat Diamonds- Features to Observe

So, knowing how your 5-carat diamond weighs when worn is good, but it’s not the conclusive reason to pick one at the jewelry store. Selecting the best stone for your need and budget is a process that requires prep time and a sharp with, even if you can spare the extra bucks. Of course, the initial move to buy a 5-carat ring means you can very well afford it. But it’s also handy to try getting the best value, so look out for the following factors when observing the features of a 5-carat diamond;

1. Cut

A diamond’s best performance is observed via the cut, and this is the most important factor to note in many stones. And its relevance in the diamond’s value is more observable when dealing with a large gem, like a 5-carat stone. At such a size, more light enters the crystals through the larger surface area. And when the stone’s cut is of top quality, its sparkle and brilliance are most exhibited.

As such, only pick 5-carat diamonds of Ideal or Excellent Cut. Of course, the former is the highest cut grade any diamond can have and will contribute a high price to the stone. But an Excellent cut can also work, though it may not be as impressive as the Ideal cut. But both grades are the best for a 5-carat diamond, and it’s ill-advised to go any lower for such a stone size.

2. Clarity

While the cut is important for all diamond weights, clarity is essential when handling large stones. And a 5-carat diamond will require a high clarity grade for the best beauty. And this feature deals with observing possible imperfections in a stone and measuring how many flaws you can find within and outside the diamond. And it comes in two forms, internal inclusions, and external blemishes.

Like all grading systems for the 4C’s, the clarity grade is established by various certified gemological institutes, with the two most prominent ones being the GIA and AGS. According to the GIA, the various rating levels for a diamond’s clarity include;

  • Flawless (F) and Internally Flawless (IF),
  • Very Very Small Inclusions (VVS) 1 and 2,
  • Very Small Inclusions (VS) 1 and 2,
  • Small Inclusions (SI) 1 and 2, and
  • Inclusions (I) 1, 2, and 3.

The F and IF ratings are rare and feature the most expensive diamonds ever found. The former comprises perfect diamonds, while the latter includes stones whose blemishes are so little, you’d not notice. The VVS rating offers diamonds of exceptional clarity and almost unnoticeable blemishes. And while the VS grades almost meet this standard, the SI and I grades are much lower, with obviously noticeable imperfections in the diamonds.

For 5-carat diamonds, a high clarity is important but not so high that it’ll command a bank-breaking price. You can get a VS1 or VS2 stone and still enjoy great eye-clear quality at a balanced price. Of course, you may be tempted to go higher if you can spare the extra cash. But note that a high-quality VS1 stone will look closely similar to a VVS2 stone of similar quality but cost less.

3. Color

Though diamonds are considered colorless crystal gems (except for the colored ones), the stones do give a tint of some sort when held under light. And the noticeability of this tint is measured as the color under the 4C’s and can be used to grade a diamond’s quality. The GIA color scale for diamonds spreads from D to Z, with the former being the highest due to their almost colorless state. But as you go lower on the scale, the tint in the featured stones becomes more noticeable, with the Z gems displaying the deepest shades.

But while these differences are almost unnoticed by the naked eye, they still mark a significant contrast in the price of diamonds. And D color diamonds garner the highest price due to their almost colorless nature. But you won’t have to pick a D-grade stone to satisfy this feature if you can’t afford it. A high-quality G to I color 5-carat diamond will look just as impressive as a D stone on any ring and cost you less money.

4. Shape

The shape you choose for your 5-carat diamond is mostly a matter of taste, as you probably have a style of ring or pendant you’re planning. But note that the popular round brilliant shape costs more than most other types. Ironically, it won’t give you a larger-looking stone instead of some other options on the list. For a clearer picture, below is a table of the comparable diameters of the various diamond shapes;

Diamond ShapeTable Surface Area (Approx. in mm)
Round Brilliant11.11 by 11.11  by 6.7
Princess9.42  by 9.42 by 6.78
Oval13.88 by 9.25 by 5.64
Emerald11.42 by 8.46 by 5.5
Radiant9.88 by 9.88 by 6.32
Asscher9.6 by 9.6 by 6.24
Cushion9.96 by 9.96 by 6.37
Pear15.47 by 9.32 by 5.69
Marquise17.76 by 8.88 by 5.42
Heart11.22 by 11.22 by 6.73

Using this parameter, you can tell that while the brilliant-cut is a pricey shape, it offers a smaller surface area. The emerald and oval cut will make the stone look larger and won’t cost you much money. Eventually, it falls back to a matter of budget and preference.

5. Setting

The choice of setting you to pick is completely your choice, but note that some work best for large stones like 5-carat diamonds. If you consider the traditional solitaire setting, note that the stone will be much displayed. And though diamonds of such a size can be selective of settings, the halo, paves, and side stones are great options to consider. Still, the best setting for your stone is one that gives it the most stability.

But when it comes to the material for your setting, your color grade comes into play. Color is best concealed when you learn to match the stone with the right metal setting. For instance, most J-grade diamonds will have a somewhat light yellow tint experts can notice. But this color can be masked if the gem is paired with a darker setting, like a ring of rose gold or yellow gold. It also works for stones of higher color grades, like an H grade diamond on a yellow gold setting, while those with less tint are great on platinum or white gold.

General Price of 5-Carat Diamonds

The prices of 5-carat diamonds vary from vendor to vendor, and other factors come into play regarding it. In some cases, the brand’s reputation influences the stone’s price, while in others, it’s the stone’s qualities that determine its value. But as a general rule, the diamond commands a higher price than the setting, and the cut and clarity contribute more to the stone’s value that its color. And when these qualities are compiled, the stones price is divided per carat to give its overall cost price.

A typical 5-carat diamond of VS clarity can cost from $22,000 to $43,000, depending on its cut grade, color rating, and setting material. And higher clarity stones can go for as much as $150,000, while lower grades though cheaper, will still require at least $9,000. So, with this price range in mind and the counsel that higher quality is best for large stones, the average 5-carat diamond purchaser should consider a budget between $28,000 to $40,000. And budget spenders will need to put aside at least $15,000 to get a good quality 5-carat diamond at a pocket-friendly price.

Buying a 5-Carat Diamond

Because its weight will contribute to its value, you’ll need a few buying tips when purchasing a 5-carat diamond. Of course, the carat doesn’t always equate to a high price, as other factors like the cut and clarity grade also come into play. But you’ll also want to learn the best way to balance these factors so you won’t spend a fortune on such a diamond. And below, you’ll find some helpful suggestions for when you’re picking a 5-carat diamond.

Check Multiple Dealers First- You don’t want to jump at the first price you get at the first place you go shopping. Instead, gather as much information regarding the prices surrounding a stone of your desire. Then, compare these prices to note the difference, and choose the one that suits your budget. Diamond shopping is a game of patience and keen observation, and if you’re in too much of a hurry, you may spend more than necessary on a gem.

Choose High Cut and Clarity Grade– These two factors are essential in 5-carat diamonds and should never be compromised. For cut, Ideal or Excellent are the best choices. And for clarity, a VS1 or VS2 works excellently.

Sacrifice Color if Needed- If you must compromise an attribute when buying a diamond, color is the best choice. And it’s a better sacrifice for high cut and clarity quality since you can easily mask it with the right ring setting. So, pick the best cut and clarity grade while dropping the color grade to get your money’s worth.

Select the Halo Setting- While different settings are available for your ring, the halo is one of the most impressive. It’s also the best way to work with several stones with a combined weight of 5 carats. The larger stone can work as a center, with the smaller stones forming a ring around it. And with this setting, you can display lower clarity diamonds of smaller size to give the impression of a larger one.

Choose a Cheaper Shape- Since the brilliant round automatically carries a heavier price tag, you can consider other shape options for your diamond. And some shapes excel at this size, especially if you’re dealing with a single stone. Oval, marquise, emerald, and pear shapes have elongated shapes with a wide surface area and give a larger appearance on a ring or necklace. And they’ll offer this advantage at a lesser price- in some cases, up to 40% savings in cost.

Buy a Lab-Grown Diamond- Natural diamonds are extremely valuable, and a 5-carat stone of exceptional grading will cost a fortune. But you can get a similar grade level of a natural diamond at a lower price if it’s lab-made. The sweet thing about this option is that you’ll still get a real diamond, except that the gem isn’t mined but cultured. And you can choose various rare and fancy options at a surprisingly lower price than their natural counterparts- in some cases, up to 60% less!

Shop at a Certified Jeweler- Always pick your diamonds from a reputable jeweler, as they’ll help you make the right decisions while keeping your purchase insured. Plus, they’ll only sell you stones with certifications from GIA or AGS, proving the high-quality nature of their diamonds. Such a jeweler will show you the grading report for different gems, allowing you to analyze the differences in their attributes and prices.

Go with an Expert- If you’re still unsure how to best choose a 5-carat diamond, seek advice from a gem expert. You can hire one and have him counsel you on the best features to consider compared to your needs. But always ensure that you employ the skill of someone reputable, so you get your money’s worth. One good thing is that most certified jewelry stores will have an in-house gem expert who can explain the differences between each stone.

Conclusion

A 5-carat diamond displays prestige and class and expresses your love for larger stones on your jewelry. But purchasing a gem that size requires foreknowledge and keen observation. You need a guide like this one to lead your steps when shopping for gems of that carat. And with such an arsenal of information, picking the best 5-carat diamonds that suits your need will become a breeze.