Getting Started - Diamond Prices
Diamond prices are determined by a combination of the 4 Cs—carat, cut, clarity, and color—along with global supply, consumer demand, and whether the diamond is natural or lab-grown.
But that’s only half the picture. Market demand, supply control, and even trends all play a part.
The experts at Gold Rush Arlington break it all down so you know exactly what affects the value of your stone. Sell your diamonds for top dollar at Gold Rush today!
What Are the Main Factors That Affect Diamond Prices?
Diamond prices are based on a grading system that revolves around four main factors: carat, cut, clarity, and color. Each of these categories carries weight in determining how much a diamond is worth.
How Carat Weight Impacts Diamond Prices
Carat weight is significant - it multiplies the value. A diamond’s value doesn’t go up in a straight line as weight increases. It jumps.
A one-carat diamond might cost $5,000. But a two-carat version with the same cut, clarity, and color? That could run $15,000 or more. You’re paying a premium for size because large diamonds are much harder to come by.
Pricing also works on a per-carat basis. So a 1.50 carat stone might be priced at $6,000 per carat, while a 0.90 carat one is only $4,000 per carat. Rarity does affect value.
Why Cut Quality Can Raise or Lower Diamond Value
A poorly cut diamond might look dull, even if it scores high in other areas.
A high-quality cut allows light to pass through the diamond and reflect back out. That’s what gives diamonds their sparkle. Light leaks out the sides or bottom when the proportions are off.
You lose brilliance, and with it, market value.
Two diamonds with identical carat weights can be miles apart in price if one has excellent cut quality and the other is just average. In fact, a smaller diamond with a top-tier cut can look better—and be worth more—than a bigger one that’s poorly shaped.
Clarity and Color: What Buyers Pay For
Diamonds with fewer flaws and less color fetch higher prices. It's all about appearance and rarity.
Clarity refers to the tiny internal or surface imperfections—called inclusions and blemishes. Most are microscopic, but the fewer there are, the more desirable the diamond becomes. Clarity grades range from Flawless (no visible inclusions under 10x magnification) to Included (visible to the naked eye).
Color, on the other hand, is about the absence of it. The best diamonds are graded D (colorless). As you move down the scale toward Z, yellow or brown tints become more noticeable. That drop in grade can take thousands off the price tag.
Even a one-grade jump in clarity or color can shift the market value of a diamond by a wide margin.
Who Controls Diamond Prices in the Market?
A few major players influence global diamond pricing. The biggest name? De Beers.
For decades, De Beers controlled a significant share of the world’s diamond supply. By managing how many diamonds entered the market, they kept prices high and supply tight. Although that control has loosened in recent years, they and other large mining companies still shape the market.
Pricing also depends on trading centers like Antwerp, Mumbai, and New York. Wholesale prices get set in these hubs, and retail prices follow suit. It’s a mix of industry tradition, market psychology, and supply chain control.
Diamonds aren’t rare in the geological sense. But they’re made rare by how they’re distributed.
Do Lab-Grown Diamonds Change the Pricing Game?
Yes, lab-grown diamonds have shaken things up. They look the same, test the same, and sparkle just like mined stones. But they cost significantly less—often 30% to 50% cheaper.
That shift has changed how people view value. Some buyers now prioritize size and sparkle over natural origin. Others still want the romance and rarity of earth-mined gems.
Know What You’re Selling With Gold Rush
Are you in the market to sell a diamond? Want to find the best diamond buyer near you? At Gold Rush Arlington, we test, weigh, and evaluate diamonds right in front of you. We are also precious metal experts - for those looking for an Arlington gold buyer.
No hidden fees. No guesswork. Just honest, fast answers and competitive offers.
If you're in Colorado or Texas and want a straight-up evaluation, we’re ready when you are. Bring it in. Let's see what you've got.
