Five Tips for Finding a 2-Carat Natural Diamond in Your Budget

Size matters. Most people shopping for a natural diamond engagement ring want the largest stone they can get within their budget. The big question is what do you need to sacrifice to get a larger stone that is affordable—and still retain quality and beauty?

Well, there’s been a noticeable shift in what defines a beautiful natural diamond, which turns out to be good news for shoppers.

More people want unique diamonds, from romantic antique cuts to slightly warmer shades of white and unusual shapes. They want diamonds with character, personality, and individuality. That’s not to say a D-flawless isn’t still a prized diamond but, for many, it is out of their price range.

“Buyers used to only want perfection and precision diamonds,” explained Jennifer Gandia, owner of New York’s Greenwich St. Jewelers. Now, she says, “people want to see what nature has to offer.”

Taking a broader view of natural diamonds also means a broader price range, and the ability to afford larger stones.

In the U.S., the average size natural diamond engagement ring is a little over one carat, but more and more people want bigger stones.

Many think a 2-carat natural diamond is out of their price range, so we asked the experts for advice on how to find a gorgeous stone without breaking the bank.

Put the 4Cs aside and start your search by looking at a wide range of diamonds. What appeals to you and what looks good on your finger, against your skin?  “A lot of people think they need to buy a certain color and clarity because of the 4Cs,” said Gandia. “When we get them to try on slightly warmer tone diamonds, they often love them.”

Designer Kelty Pelechytik, who uses mainly vintage diamonds, says there are “gorgeous” SI (slightly included) category diamonds with minor imperfections on the side, which are concealed by a bezel setting. These represent great value. Her 2-carat diamond rings start around $8,000.

Bottom line: Don’t be restricted by the 4Cs. Find a diamond that speaks to you and your taste.

Once you selected your diamond, get the certificate with your stone’s grading report for insurance purposes and should you decide to resell.

Price aside, some buyers simply love warmer colored diamonds, including rosy and brown hues, says Lisa Bridge, CEO of Ben Bridge, which has 37 jewelry stores in the Western U.S. “There is more acceptance of a wider variety of diamond qualities,” she says, “which represents good value, and they are still beautiful stones with nice cut and clarity.”

These warmer colors, she says, look especially good when set in yellow or rose gold rings. Ben Bridge offers 2-carat quality diamonds under $10,000.

Bottom line: Super white diamonds aren’t for everyone; it’s a matter of taste. Many top-end designers and retailers are using warmer white and brown diamonds in their designs.

Look for brilliant cut, rose cut, and cushion cut diamonds, which tend to conceal minor inclusions. While emerald and step cuts with fewer facets are less forgiving of inclusions, says Gandia.

A great cut not only conceals flaws, but (aside from sparkle) it also enhances the color of a diamond.

Still, Gandia says most inclusions aren’t visible to the untrained eye. “Who doesn’t have a grey hair, a little cellulite or beauty mark,” says Gandia with a laugh. “We don’t need perfection to have a beautiful stone.”

It’s not all about carat weight: Two 2-carat diamonds can appear very different; some are flatter and wider while others are deep. “You can get a 2-carat diamond that actually looks like a 5-carat,” says Pelechytik. She says shallow cuts with a wider surface cover more of the finger and give the illusion of much larger diamond.

Olivia Landau, owner of The Clear Cut, an online and by-appointment diamond retailer in New York, suggests buyers look for shapes with larger dimensions—elongated ovals, pears, and marquise—that appear bigger.

Still, she says some people are hesitant to go too large. “Clients say, ‘I want a substantial size but not so big that people will think it is lab grown.’”

At The Clear Cut, 2-carat diamonds start at around $10,000.

Antique diamonds are a great way to get more bang for your buck, says Landau. Old European, old mine and antique cushion cuts have chunky facets and tend to face considerably whiter than new cuts of the same color rating, she says.

Don’t judge antique diamonds by their color grading on a certificate, says Gandia. Some vintage diamonds in a J, K, or I color rating can still appear beautiful, especially when set in a gold yellow gold ring. “Because of the way older diamonds were cut, there is something magical and alluring about them.” She pointed to the brand Single Stone’s stylish antique diamond rings as a great example of diamonds that twinkle warmth in contrast to a super white, precision cut new stone.

Bottom line: Antique diamonds have a warmth and romance that some people find irresistible.