This particular size is often the sweet spot for brides-to-be, explains Landau (at The Clear Cut, most fiancées envision something between 1.5–2.5 carats). But the biggest mistake an engagement ring shopper could make, she says, is getting bogged down by the weight.
A 2 carat diamond is big enough to be noticed. Furthermore, you can now enhance its size without increasing the carat weight. You only have to ensure that you go for the right color, cut, and clarity score.
The average carat size for a diamond engagement ring varies widely depending on a number of factors such as location, cultural norms, and personal preferences. According to recent studies, the average carat size for a diamond engagement ring in the United States is approximately 1.2 carats.
The diamond weight of one carat is considered the ideal size since it is suitable for most people's hands in terms of both size and shape and because its price is competitive with that of diamonds of other weights. This round, brilliant cut typically has a diameter of 6.5 millimetres.
Although 1 carat engagement rings are the traditional size of an engagement ring, it doesn't mean that 1 carat is always best when it comes to value. The size and weight of an engagement ring does affect its value; a larger diamond will be more expensive due to its rarity and perception of grandeur.
The difference between a 1 Carat and 2 Carat diamond is purely weight – 200 milligrams to be precise. It's important to remember that a diamond of greater Carat weight will not possess more brightness, colour, or clarity than a smaller diamond of the same quality.
1.5-carat diamond
Perhaps the easiest pick of the lot, people with a good budget can go for it. They look pretty good on all average finger sizes and even feel pricey and elegant. Size: For those looking for a beautiful and larger diamond, this is a perfect choice.
Hailey Bieber's ring is a massive oval-cut engagement ring and is believed to measure 6-10 carats.
General Rule: You should spend at least 2 months salary on the engagement ring. If, for example, you are making $60,000 per year, you should spend $10,000 on the engagement ring.
At 2 carats you're certainly not skimping on weight. This doesn't mean that this is out of the ordinary for rings, half of all US engagement rings fall between 1 to 2 carats. A lot of times people go off of their finger size to determine how big or small of a stone they should get.
On top of this, there's Kim's 20-carat engagement ring worth a staggering $3million, making it one of the most expensive celebrity engagement rings of all time.
"The average carat size for a diamond changes dramatically based on location and demographics," shares Jay. In the United States, for example, the national average for an engagement ring is around one carat. In the United Kingdom, it's 0.6 carats, and in Europe it's even smaller, hovering at 0.5 carats.
Sourced from a tiara that once belonged to Prince Philip's mother, Queen Elizabeth's ring features a round 3-carat center stone flanked by clusters of smaller diamonds (10 total) and is set in platinum.
As we move on to bigger, more desirable diamonds, a 2-carat diamond engagement ring is what most women want. A round-cut 2-carat diamond has a width of 8.15mm, which means that it takes up 48.2% or just about half of the finger's width.
Beyond being a perfect size (big, but not too clunky on your finger), the 1-carat diamond ring is a popular choice because it allows the wearer to adorn a ring with side stones, like a 3-stone ring, leaving room for extra diamonds to accentuate the center stone without overcrowding or overwhelming it.
2.5-Carat Diamond
"If a stone is shallow, it might appear larger than it is, but often won't look as vibrant, or won't reflect light well," the jeweler says. "If a stone is too deep, it'll appear small."
While we're hesitant to throw out a number, we will say that according to a survey by Diamondport Jewellers, the average price of an engagement in Australia is $5367. To get the scoop on how much is normal to spend on a ring, we asked a handful of local jewellers to weigh in.
Most online articles will tell you to follow the 3-Month Salary Rule. If you don't know what this is, you simply take 3 months' worth of your salary and that's how much you should spend on your engagement ring.
#1: The Three Months Gross Salary Rule
When it comes to buying a diamond ring, the rule of thumb used in the industry is a 3 month's salary guideline. This is the rule that most people are familiar with especially if you had done some browsing around or research.
After the birth of her son, Archie, Meghan also added a pave diamond band to her ring, bumping the total carat weight up to around 4.75cttw (carat total weight). In other words, her Meghan's engagement ring has around five carats of diamonds. Perfect for a princess.
Ariana's “Sollow & Co.” ring is a solitaire classic oval shaped 2-stone ring, about 5-6 carats. It's high clarity, excellent cut with a G or above colour with outstanding symmetry.
Debuting the ring in public for the first time at the 2009 Academy Awards, Beyonce's engagement ring is an enormous 24-carat custom creation featuring a flawless emerald-cut diamond.
The average price of a 2 carat diamond is currently $18,115 (see price chart below). 2 carat diamonds can cost anywhere from $4,873 - $44,599 depending on the diamond's shape, color, clarity, and other factors. To see specific details on diamond pricing by shape see our 2 carat diamond prices table below.
There's no denying that 2 carat diamond rings make quite the dazzling statement. They look fantastic on just about anybody, with their substantial but not overwhelming size.
2 Carat Cushion Cut Diamonds
A Cushion cut diamond is named for its pillow-like appearance. While it shares many similarities with a Round Brilliant cut diamond, its deeper cut “hides” some of its carat weight. This means that a Cushion actually appears smaller than Round Brilliant diamonds of the same carat weight.