When Is A 2 Carat Diamond Ring Not A 2 Carat Diamond Ring?

There’s a big difference between a 2 carat diamond ring and a 2 carat total weight diamond ring. A 2 carat diamond ring has one stone that weighs 2 carats. And total carat weight is used to describe the combined carat weight of all the diamonds in a ring that has more than one stone. This might seem like a very small difference but it can have an enormous effect on the price of the ring.

It’s rare to find good quality larger demands and because they’re more in demand they also cost more than a smaller diamond of equal or better quality. A 2 carat diamond solitaire ring will almost always be more expensive than a ring made up of multiple stones, even though the total weight of those stones may be more than 2 carats.

You should also know that diamond sellers are allowed by law to round up on the carat weights when they list them for their jewelry. So if the weight of the diamond is closer to 2 carats than it is to 1 ¾ carats, the tag will usually say 2 carats, and that’s the way a lot of jewelers will price it.

It’s almost impossible to visually tell the difference between a diamond that weight 1.90 carats and a diamond that weighs 2 carats, especially after it’s placed in the setting, yet there could be an enormous difference in the retail price.

The cut of the diamond will also have an effect on it’s size and price. Some cuts are much more difficult to create than others and the make for a more fragile diamond. Other cuts make the stone look bigger because of the way it reflects light.

It’s difficult to compare one diamond to another because there are so many variations in cut, color and clarity, but considering the price per carat of similar quality diamonds is a good place to start. Just divide the cost of each stone by it’s carat weight to determine the cost per carat.

If you have your heart set on a 2 carat diamond ring, and price is an issue, consider a 2 carat multi-stone ring. You may even end up with more than 2 carats in the end and have 3 times the sparkle for your money.