1 Carat Diamond Engagement Rings
Explore the height of perfection, with a scintillating 1 carat diamond ring. Browse our most loved 1ct diamond ring designs and exquisite diamonds, curated by our experts.
Every 1ct diamond ring here can be made with a natural or lab grown diamond, and each one is crafted to order in our Hatton Garden workshop.
Most rings shown with 1ct diamond
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We get it, you’ve never done this before.
That’s why we have diamond and design experts on hand, who are here to guide you through every step - from understanding what carat, colour, cut and clarity mean, to designing the perfect ring.
About 1 Carat Diamond Rings
1ct engagement rings are an incredibly popular choice for couples - a 1 carat diamond is the ultimate goal for many people hunting for their dream ring. Around 65% of engagement rings are 1ct. This is because a full, 1ct diamond ring psychologically feels like a great achievement. As well as being a nice, round number, 1 carat is considered an unofficial marker for diamonds that look ‘big’ - making it the benchmark carat weight for many people.
While a 1 carat engagement ring was once considered above average, this carat weight has become much more common for ring buyers due to the emergence of lab diamonds, which offer bigger diamond sizes for lower prices.
Learn more about 1ct engagement ring prices and cuts in our buying guide.
How much does a 1 carat diamond ring cost?
See how much a 1ct diamond ring costs below or compare the price of a 1 carat diamond to other carat sizes.
| Diamond Carat | Lab Diamond (D, VS1) | Natural Diamond (D, VS1) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.50ct | £670 | £1,890 |
| 1ct | £1,410 | £6,370 |
| 2ct | £2,430 | £26,700 |
| 3ct | £3,550 | £46,210 |
The price of a 1 carat diamond ring depends first on whether you choose a lab grown or natural diamond – that one decision moves the budget more than anything else.
After that, the diamond's cut, colour and clarity matter most, followed by its shape and the setting and metal you choose.
Diamond prices move, so the clearest way to see what you'd pay today is to browse our loose lab grown diamonds and loose natural diamonds, where every stone shows its current price. Don't forget to include the cost of setting, starting at £1,195.
| What affects the price of a 1ct diamond ring? | How it affects price |
|---|---|
| Lab grown or natural | The biggest single factor. A natural 1ct diamond is far rarer, so it costs considerably more than a lab grown diamond of the same grade. |
| Cut | Cut decides how much light the diamond returns. An Excellent or Ideal cut grade costs more, and it's where your budget makes the most visible difference. |
| Colour | Colourless grades cost more. Our natural diamonds are all D–F colour, graded colourless, so they look bright and icy with no yellow tint. |
| Clarity | Fewer inclusions (tiny internal marks) means a higher grade and a higher price, though many inclusions can't be seen without magnification. |
| Shape | Round diamonds usually cost more per carat than other shapes, because more of the rough diamond is cut away to make them. |
| Setting and metal | A solitaire uses fewer small diamonds than a halo or diamond band setting, and platinum and 18K gold are priced differently. |
"Put cut first – it’s what makes a diamond sparkle. Then choose a diamond that’s eye-clean rather than flawless. You’ll get a 1ct that looks beautiful without paying for grades you can’t see."
Lab grown or natural: Choosing your 1 carat diamond
A lab grown diamond has the same physical, chemical and optical properties as a natural diamond. It's grown in a laboratory in weeks rather than formed in the earth over billions of years, and you can't tell the two apart by eye. The difference you'll notice is the price, which makes a 1ct lab grown diamond a simple way to reach the size you want in top grades.
A natural 1ct diamond is rarer, and for some couples that rarity is the point. Our natural diamonds are all D–F colour, and every diamond we sell, natural or lab grown, is independently certified by grading institutions such as the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) or IGI (International Gemological Institute).
Around 87% of Queensmith couples now choose lab grown. Still deciding? Explore our lab grown diamond engagement rings, compare loose natural diamonds, or read our guide to lab grown vs natural diamonds.
Shop 1 carat rings by shape
Shape changes how big a 1ct diamond looks and how it sits on the hand. Here's how the most popular shapes compare at 1 carat.
1 carat oval diamond rings
An oval spreads its weight over a longer outline, so a 1ct oval looks larger face up than a 1ct round: about 7.8mm long, compared with about 6.4mm across. Its length also flatters the finger,
1 carat pear shaped diamond rings
A pear pairs a rounded end with a single point, so it feels classic and a little unexpected at the same time. It shows plenty of surface for its weight, and worn with the point towards your fingertip it lengthens the hand.
1 carat princess cut diamond rings
A princess diamond is square with crisp corners and a brilliant facet pattern, so it sparkles much like a round. Claws on each corner protect the points, which makes it a practical choice for everyday wear.
1 carat emerald cut diamond rings
An emerald cut has long, open step facets that create broad flashes of light rather than sparkle. Those facets show more of the diamond's interior, so clarity matters more here than with most shapes, and our gemmologists usually suggest a higher clarity grade for this reason.
1 carat marquise diamond rings
Long and pointed at both ends, a marquise has one of the largest face-up areas of any shape for its weight, so a 1ct marquise looks noticeably bigger than a 1ct round.
Prefer a classic diamond shape? Browse round engagement rings, or filter the 1ct collection on this page by shape.
How big is a 1 carat diamond?
Carat measures a diamond's weight, not its size: 1 carat is 0.2 grams. How big a 1ct diamond looks depends on its shape and cut. A 1ct round measures about 6.4mm across, while a 1ct oval is about 7.8mm long.
| Diamond shape | Approximate size at 1ct |
|---|---|
| Round | About 6.4mm across |
| Oval | About 7.8mm long |
| Pear | About 8.5mm long |
| Princess | About 5.5mm across |
| Emerald | About 7mm long |
| Marquise | About 10mm long |
Compare other carat weights
As you can see, sizes vary with each diamond's proportions. To see 1ct next to smaller and larger weights, read our engagement ring carat size guide, or our one carat diamond ring buying guide for photos on the hand.
Not set on exactly 1ct? Take a look at our 0.9 carat, 1.2 carat, 1.5 carat and 2 carat diamond rings, or read our guide to diamond carat to see how weight affects size and price.
Popular 1ct diamond ring styles
You want your ring design to be timeless, and we get that. Our collection features rings that transcend trends, look great from every angle and are made to last a lifetime.
Try filtering your search by our core engagement ring styles:
Ethically sourced & certified
The modern way to buy loose diamonds for your engagement ring, with real 360° videos and advanced filtering to help you make the most informed decision. Filter by carat weight, colour, clarity, cut, and more.
Whether you're looking for a lab grown diamond or natural centre stone, find the perfect loose diamond from our responsibly sourced collection of certified diamonds.
Exquisite craftsmanship
Each Queensmith engagement ring is crafted to order, made just for you and your partner. We have an in-house workshop and production team that meticulously crafts your ring and finesses every detail until it passes our final quality control check. Our quality and finish is a cut above the rest.
As part of our commitment to you, we offer a Lifetime Care Package including manufacturer's warranty, free servicing, free resizing and free cleaning, fully inclusive with every ring made by us.
Become an expert
Read our rich and detailed guides on everything there is to know about rings and diamonds, to help you create the best engagement ring for you.
Learn about 1ct diamond rings
Do you have additional questions? No problem, let us help you through the process
A 1 carat engagement ring features a main diamond that equates to one full carat - a unit of weight used to describe diamonds and other precious gemstones. 1 carat weighs 200mg, which is the equivalent of one carob seed - where the ‘carat’ measurement derives from.
1 ct engagement rings start at around £2,325 if you choose a simple solitaire setting and a lab diamond. The price varies hugely depending on whether you choose a lab diamond or natural diamond.
A good quality 1 carat diamond typically costs £1,480 if it’s a loose lab grown diamond, or £6,200 if it's a loose natural diamond. The total price of a 1 carat diamond ring will have the additional cost of the ring setting itself, starting at £1,195.
You should be aware that diamond prices fluctuate, and this should be used as a guide price accurate at the time of writing.
There is no right or wrong size when buying an engagement ring - any diamond over 0.30ct should work. However, many people feel a strong desire to hit the 1ct mark or higher when buying their ring. 1 ct engagement rings are considered a very decent size - and with the emergence of cheaper lab grown diamonds, 1ct is now a much more achievable diamond size than it once was.
Most people would agree that a 1 ct engagement ring looks fairly big. A round 1 carat diamond measures around 6.4mm in length, or more like 7.8mm for elongated shapes like oval diamonds.
The most important characteristic for a dazzling round 1ct diamond is an ‘Excellent’ (GIA) or ‘Ideal’ (IGI) cut grade - which ensures intense sparkle. Other diamond shapes don’t receive a cut grade, but you should ensure equally great polish and symmetry grades. Next, consider D to F colour diamonds, which will appear bright and colourless. Then, look between VVS1 and SI2 for a clarity grade that doesn’t break the bank, and for diamond that looks clear to the naked eye.
Don’t be afraid to look slightly under 1ct - you could make significant savings with a 0.97ct, 0.98ct or 0.99ct diamond, but they’ll look incredibly similar. In fact, you probably couldn’t tell they’re smaller than 1ct. These are known as ‘underweight’ diamonds and are very rare, so don’t pin too much hope on finding one!
If you’re concerned your budget won’t stretch to a 1 ct diamond ring, consider a lab diamond. Lab grown diamonds cost significantly less than natural diamonds of the same grade, so they're worth comparing if you'd like a higher grade within the same budget.
A round 1ct diamond measures around 6.4mm in length. This can vary by 0.2mm or so, depending on the cut and ratio of the diamond. Elongated shapes like ovals or pears could look 1 or 2mm bigger. The weight of a 1ct diamond equates to 200mg, regardless of the shape.
An oval 1ct diamond measures around 7.8mm in length. This will vary depending on how the oval diamond has been cut - some are longer and skinnier, some are shorter and more squat. A well proportioned 1ct oval diamond is usually 1.5mm bigger looking than a 1ct round diamond.
Yes. 1 carat is a classic weight for an engagement ring, and lab grown diamonds have made it achievable for many more budgets.
What you'll pay for a 1 carat diamond depends on whether it's lab grown or natural and on its cut, colour and clarity, so two 1ct diamonds can be very differently priced. The clearest way to compare is to filter our loose lab grown diamonds or loose natural diamonds by 1ct. If you'd like help weighing up grades, our gemmologists can talk you through them at your free consultation.
Larger diamonds are much rarer, so price rises faster than weight: a 1ct diamond usually costs more than twice as much as a 0.5ct diamond of the same grade. Demand at exactly 1ct adds to this, which is why diamonds just under 1ct are often better value.
Yes. Book a free consultation at our Hatton Garden or Birmingham showroom and our gemmologists will prepare a selection of 1ct diamonds for you to compare side by side, with no obligation to buy. If you can't get to us, a virtual appointment lets you see diamonds live on camera from anywhere in the UK.
Do you have additional questions? No problem, let us help you through the process