How Much Does a 1.75 Carat Diamond Cost?

A 1.75 carat diamond’s cost varies significantly, influenced by intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Understanding these variables is key to navigating the diamond market and making an informed purchasing decision. This article explores the elements contributing to the overall cost of a 1.75 carat diamond.

The Role of Carat Weight in Pricing

Carat refers to the weight of a diamond, not its physical size or dimensions. One carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams. While a higher carat weight generally means a larger diamond, the shape and cut can also influence its perceived size.

Diamond prices do not increase linearly with carat weight; instead, they rise exponentially due to the rarity of larger diamonds. A 1.75 carat diamond is considered a significant size, with a value disproportionately higher than, for instance, two diamonds each weighing 0.875 carats. Prices jump significantly at “magic numbers” like 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 carats, which are common psychological benchmarks for buyers. Even slight variations in weight around the 1.75 carat mark can lead to noticeable price differences.

The Four Key Value Factors

The universally recognized “4 Cs” of diamond grading—Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat—form the foundation of diamond valuation. While carat weight is a primary determinant, the other three Cs significantly refine a diamond’s overall value and visual appeal, directly impacting its market price.

Cut

The cut of a diamond is the most impactful factor for its brilliance, fire, and sparkle. This refers to how well a diamond’s facets interact with light, encompassing its proportions, symmetry, and polish. An excellent cut allows light to enter the diamond, reflect internally, and return to the eye, creating a dazzling effect. Conversely, a poorly cut diamond will appear dull, even with high color and clarity grades.

Higher cut grades, such as “Excellent” or “Ideal,” command higher prices because more rough diamond material is lost during the precise cutting process to achieve optimal light performance. Skilled labor and additional time are also required to polish an ideally cut diamond.

Color

Diamond color refers to the absence of color in white diamonds, graded on a scale from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow or brown). D-F diamonds are considered colorless, rare, and valuable. As color moves towards Z, a yellowish tint becomes more apparent, and the price generally decreases.

Subtle differences in color can significantly affect a diamond’s appearance and cost. Near-colorless diamonds (G-J) offer a good balance of appearance and value, as their color is often undetectable to the untrained eye, especially when mounted. Many buyers find excellent value in near-colorless stones, with substantial price differences between adjacent color grades, particularly for larger diamonds.

Clarity

Diamond clarity evaluates the presence and visibility of internal characteristics (inclusions) and external characteristics (blemishes). The clarity grading scale ranges from Flawless (FL), meaning no inclusions or blemishes are visible under 10x magnification, to Included (I3), where inclusions are obvious to the naked eye. The fewer and less noticeable these characteristics, the higher the clarity grade and the greater the diamond’s value.

Inclusions are naturally occurring imperfections, such as tiny crystals or feathers, formed during the diamond’s growth. Blemishes are surface imperfections, like scratches or pits. While Flawless and Internally Flawless (IF) diamonds are exceptionally rare and expensive, VVS1, VVS2, VS1, or VS2 grades offer excellent value, as their inclusions are typically not visible without magnification.

Other Influences on Diamond Cost

Beyond the foundational 4 Cs, several other factors contribute to the final price of a 1.75 carat diamond. These elements can either enhance or diminish a diamond’s value, reflecting market demand, aesthetic preferences, and quality assurance.

Diamond Shape

The shape of a diamond, distinct from its cut quality, plays a significant role in its cost. Round brilliant diamonds are the most popular and typically command higher prices than other “fancy shapes” such as oval, princess, emerald, or cushion cuts. This premium is due to higher demand and the greater amount of rough diamond material discarded during the cutting process to achieve a round brilliant’s ideal proportions.

Fancy shapes can often appear larger than a round diamond of the same carat weight due to their elongated dimensions. Choosing a fancy shape can offer a cost saving of 10% to 25% or more compared to a round diamond of similar quality, allowing buyers to acquire a larger diamond for their budget.

Fluorescence

Fluorescence refers to a diamond’s tendency to emit a soft, colored glow, usually blue, when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Approximately 25% to 35% of diamonds exhibit some level of fluorescence. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) grades fluorescence intensity from None to Very Strong.

For colorless (D-F) diamonds, strong or very strong fluorescence can lead to a discount of up to 15% due to concerns it might cause a hazy or oily appearance, though this occurs in fewer than 0.2% of fluorescent diamonds. Conversely, for diamonds in the near-colorless to faint yellow range (I-M), medium to very strong blue fluorescence can make the diamond appear whiter, potentially leading to a slight premium or no discount. For most diamonds, the effect of fluorescence on appearance is negligible to the average observer.

Certification

Independent diamond grading reports from reputable laboratories, such as the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or AGS (American Gem Society), provide an objective assessment of a diamond’s characteristics. These reports detail the 4 Cs and other attributes, offering buyers assurance of quality. A certified diamond typically commands a higher price because its quality has been verified by an impartial third party.

Certification adds transparency and trust to the purchase, allowing buyers to compare diamonds accurately based on standardized grading. While the report itself adds a nominal cost, the verified quality it represents contributes to the diamond’s overall market value and liquidity.

Understanding Price Ranges for 1.75 Carat Diamonds

The cost of a 1.75 carat diamond can vary significantly, reflecting the unique combination of its quality characteristics. Prices are not static; they fluctuate based on the interplay of cut, color, clarity, and other market factors. For a natural 1.75 carat diamond, prices range widely, from approximately $10,500 for lower-quality stones to over $25,500 for those with superior attributes.

For instance, a 1.75 carat round diamond with a good cut, H color, and SI2 clarity might fall into the lower end of the price spectrum. However, a 1.75 carat round diamond with an excellent cut, D color, and VS2 clarity could easily cost upwards of $18,000, and even higher for top-tier Flawless or Internally Flawless diamonds. The choice between different quality combinations allows buyers to balance their budget with their desired aesthetic, as a well-cut diamond with slightly lower color or clarity grades can often appear visually comparable to a higher-grade stone, offering better value.