2 Carat Diamond Price & Buying Guide

2ct round diamond in a pavé style engagement ring — 2ct Petite pavé diamond engagement ring from Blue Nile

If you’re looking for a 2 carat diamond ring, several key components must be examined. Well-cut diamonds of this carat are hard to come by and require extra attention during the search process. The selection of a diamond, ring, and seller should be considerably detailed. To get the best value for your money, you’ll need to know how to evaluate the 4cs of diamonds. These basics will help you choose a diamond that is exceptionally brilliant and full of life.

Why you should trust us

To help you with the diamond buying process we lean on our expertise and experience. The author of this article, our CEO, Mike Fried has over 20 years of experience in the diamond industry. Mike started from the bottom, sorting and evaluating hundreds of thousands of diamonds to learn every facet (pun intended) of diamond quality and value. Mike followed that up by spending years buying and selling diamonds on the wholesale market as well as selling tens of millions of dollars worth of diamonds to diamond retailers.

Here’s what we’ll cover in this article:

How much does a 2 carat diamond ring cost?
How large is a 2 carat diamond?
Where should I buy a 2 carat diamond engagement ring from?
What are some quick tips when buying a 2 carat diamond?
FAQs about 2 carat diamond rings
Should I get a 1 carat or 2 carat diamond?
Bottom line recommendation

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How Much Does a 2 Carat Diamond Ring Cost?

A nice 2 carat diamond will cost between $11,500 and $19,000 depending on the shape and clarity you choose. If you go with a super high-quality 2 carat diamond in the DE color and FL/IF clarity range, it will cost $30,000 to $50,000. If you sacrifice a bit more on quality to reach for a 2 carat diamond, it will run you $9,500 to $12,000 depending on the shape. You can check out the price differences across different carat weights using our diamond price calculator.

2 Carat Diamond Price Chart – Updated January 2024

Shape	Top Quality D/E, FL/IF	Our Recommendation G/H, VS2/SI	The Lower End I/J SI1/SI2
Round	$40,200	$14,760	$10,400
Princess	$31,800	$14,560	$8,900
Cushion	$29,650	$15,940	$9,250
Emerald	$34,490	$15,840	$8,500
Oval	$33,040	$15,380	$10,120
Pear	$30,760	$17,850	$10,360
Marquise	$34,340	$15,840	$10,080
Radiant	$30,080	$14,470	$8,300
Asscher	$31,360	$12,750	$9,470

Because no two diamonds are exactly the same, we recommend evaluating the 4cs of diamond quality for each stone you look at. Focusing on quality over specific carat weight will get you the most beauty for your budget, especially for a larger stone like a 2 carat diamond.

In terms of pricing, diamonds are all priced per carat on the wholesale level. For example, a 0.50 carat diamond may have a price of $1,400 per carat. The diamond’s price for the stone would be $1,400 x 0.50, equaling $700.

If you want to understand how supply and demand, as well as the 4C’s of the diamond, impact diamond pricing in general, check out our article on historical diamond pricing.

How Large Is a 2 Carat Diamond?

2 carat equals 400 milligrams or 0.4 grams. To put it in perspective, a 2 carat diamond weighs roughly the same as half of a raisin. A 2 carat (or two carat) diamond simply refers to the weight of the diamond. A round 2 carat diamond should be around 8.10mm in diameter. For scale, here are all the diamond shapes compared to a quarter.

2ct diamond shapes compared to a size of a coin — Size comparison of different 2ct shape diamonds

A 2 carat engagement ring is quite impressive. The average engagement ring in America is usually around 1 carat. By comparison, a 2 carat diamond will look quite impressive.

Pro Tip: With the increasing popularity of Lab Grown Diamonds sales of 2 carat diamonds have increased dramatically. According to industry expert Beryl Raff “The 2-carat lab-grown diamond has become “the new 1-carat mined diamond.”

2 Carat Diamond Size Chart by Shape

Diamonds are cut by carat weight, not by size. However, there is a surface area difference among diamond shapes — which can impact how big a diamond looks. Depending on the table size (the top leveled surface of a diamond), 2 carat diamonds can appear larger in certain shapes.

Our chart below gives you the surface area sizes for 2 carat diamond shapes. The sizes are measured in millimeters, not inches.

Diamond Shape	Approximate Table Surface for 2 Carat
Round brilliant cut	8.10×8.10mm
Princess cut	7.00×7.00mm
Emerald cut	8.50×6.00mm
Asscher cut	7.00×7.00mm
Radiant cut	7.50×7.00mm
Cushion cut	8.00×7.00mm
Oval diamond	10.50×7.00mm
Pear shaped diamond	11.0×7.00mm
Heart shaped diamond	8.30×8.30mm
Marquise diamond	13.00×6.50mm
Trillion diamond	9.75×9.75mm

For some people, a 2 carat diamond is huge and for others, it’s not big enough. It’s all subjective. However, choosing the right setting can do a lot. As shown on Jodie Sweetin’s engagement ring, a halo style setting can make a 2ct diamond look MUCH bigger than you would think.

In addition, diamond prices per carat increase as you reach higher weight categories. Diamond prices increase exponentially with weight because of the diamond’s higher weight value and the higher price per carat for the increased weight category. For example, a 2 carat diamond like this one might be $8,761 per carat, while a similar 3 carat diamond such as this one from Blue Nile might be priced at $15,148 per carat.

We stress categories, as prices per carat do not continually increase as weight is increased. Diamonds are retail products driven by emotion more than reason.

It may seem advantageous to look for a diamond that’s just below a new weight category, such as a 1.90-1.99 carat diamond. That really isn’t the case, though. Diamond cutters have become more efficient at their job, and the search for an “almost” 2 carat diamond has become increasingly popular. This influx props up the price for those particular diamonds—making the cost savings minimal.

While ultimately you can search for a 1.90ct+ diamond, we suggest not trying to find one specifically. You’ll severely limit your search potential without really saving anything.

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Where To Buy a 2 Carat Diamond Ring

With a 2 carat diamond ring, you have increased flexibility and options because of a larger budget and carat weight. While Blue Nile and James Allen still have amazing advantages built into their business model, other factors come into play with the increased budget.

By looking online, you have a great chance of finding an extraordinary 2 carat diamond at an excellent price point. We have an article discussing the best places to buy an engagement ring in 2023 based on our secret shopping.

If you’re feeling lucky you can try hunting for a diamond in the Crater of Diamonds State Park in Murfreesboro, Arkansas. In May 2021 Christian Liden stumbled upon a 2.2 carat diamond and according to Today used this to build a custom engagement ring.

Tips for Buying a 2 Carat Diamond Ring

If you’re in the market to purchase a diamond of considerable carat weight, quality should be more important than anything else–even if you need to slightly reduce your carat weight to stay within your ring budget. The increased brilliance, fire, and overall radiance of a high-quality diamond in a lesser carat will outweigh and outshine any money spent on a poorly cut 2 carat diamond.

To ensure your diamond is exactly what the diamond dealer is stating, ensure the diamond comes with a GIA certificate. The GIA laboratory is a renowned and well-respected diamond grading entity that issues accurate and consistent reports for diamonds. Although certification isn’t one of the 4cs of diamonds, it is extremely important. You can check out our article where we dig deep into the different diamond certifications.

If a diamond seller is trying to convince you to purchase a diamond with any other lab grading entity, politely decline their invitation. The actual quality of those diamonds is much less than what they’re portraying to be “true.”

To select exquisite 2 carat diamond rings at an exceptional value, follow our expert recommendations:

Diamond shape: Diamond shape is selected primarily on personal preference and style. Match your shape with a setting that is complementary and offers stability. For example, ensure the corners of a princess cut diamond are protected with prongs.
Diamond cut: Diamond cut is the most important of the 4cs of diamonds. It dictates how much brilliance and sparkle a diamond has. Choose only an excellent or ideal cut for 2 carat diamond engagement rings.
Diamond clarity chart: Normally we go with VS2 to SI2 for clarity grade recommendations. Since a 2ct diamond is on the larger side, you may have a hard time finding an eye-clean SI2.
Diamond color scale: To the naked eye, a diamond in the G color to I color range will appear colorless and will cost much less than those in the D to F range.

FAQs About 2 Carat Diamond Rings

We get asked a lot of questions about 2 carat diamond engagement rings. Here our experts answer top questions from our readers.

Is a 2 carat diamond considered to be big?

The average carat weight for a diamond engagement ring is about 0.9 carat, meaning a 2 carat diamond is definitely considered big. With 2 carat engagement rings, the diamond is noticeable and eye-catching. If you select a stunning stone that’s well-cut, your ring will definitely attract attention.

Should I consider a lab-grown 2 carat diamond for my engagement ring?

Recently we have been seeing interest in 2 carat diamonds from readers considering lab-created diamonds. This observation is backed up with data as reported in this March 2022 article on diamonds.net which quoted Beryl Raff as saying “The 2-carat lab-grown diamond has become the new 1-carat mined diamond”. While we are not the biggest fans of LCDs, we do have an article discussing this topic and how it pertains specifically to lab-created diamonds. In this article, we discuss the issues we have with LCDs as well as advice on how to get the best LCD diamond if you decide to go that route.

Can I buy a 2 carat diamond online?

You can definitely buy a high-quality two carat ring online without stress. Make sure to purchase from a reputable retailer (like the ones recommended above) that have a full refund policy. We talk about this more in our article comparing buying a diamond online vs in a physical retailer.

Why are 2 carat diamonds so much more expensive than 1 carat diamonds?

As we’ve covered before, the price of a diamond increases exponentially as the carat weight of the stone increases. As you get into the higher carat weight categories, the price per carat for a diamond increases suddenly. 2 carat diamonds are certainly impressive, and this adds a premium to the price.
We’ve explained how this phenomenon works more in our guide to how much diamonds are worth. This is due to several factors, the biggest of which is that larger diamonds are rarer than smaller diamonds and, as such, are priced at a premium per carat.

1 Carat vs. 2 Carat: Which Size Diamond Engagement Ring Should You Buy?

This is a difficult question to answer, at least for someone. Every person’s needs, tastes, and budget are different, meaning that while a 1 carat diamond ring might be the best choice for some, a 2 carat diamond might be a better choice for others.

Let’s start by looking at the advantages of buying a 1 carat diamond ring. First, the 1 carat diamond price is significantly less per carat than what you would get for a 2 carat stone.

This 2.04 carat diamond from James Allen of the same cut quality, color, and clarity is $20,380, making it more than three times as expensive. While it will certainly stand out more and attract more attention for its size, its higher cost makes the 1 carat stone a better choice if you’re on a budget.

Now, let’s look at the advantages of the 2 carat diamond. First, it’s a bigger stone, with a larger surface area than the 1 carat stone. This means that it will attract much more attention to your fiancé-to-be’s finger and have a far stronger wow factor.

Second, the extra size can make the beauty of the diamond easier to appreciate, although this is a subjective factor.

Ultimately, it’s best to choose the diamond that best suits you and your fiancé-to-be’s budget, tastes, and preferences. If you’re not sure how much you can afford to spend, we recommend reading our guide to setting your budget for an engagement ring.

We’re Here To Help, Contact Our Experts

Finding a remarkable 2 carat diamond ring is done best by focusing on the elements that offer maximum beauty and value–along with buying from a well-respected online dealer. Keep this guide handy during your diamond search and feel free to reach out to us with any questions.

We’re happy to help you navigate the rocky waters of diamond buying. Contact us today and we’ll help you review and search for high-quality diamond engagement rings.

Bottom Line Recommendation:

High-quality 2 carat engagement rings dazzle, shine, and show off their brilliance. When purchasing such a large diamond, even the smallest issues can lead to big problems.

What to Look for

What to Avoid

Do not skimp on cut quality for 2 carat diamonds. This determines how much fire and brilliance the diamond has.

Depending on the setting style, you can drop down to H or even I-J color without noticing it.

The larger the diamond, the easier it will be to see the inclusions.

Avoid diamonds that don't have a GIA certificate.

Only purchase from a place that has a full cash refund policy.

Don't be pressured into purchasing by a salesperson.

Having trouble navigating the diamond buying minefield? We are happy to help. CONTACT US

Here are more carat size topics to browse:

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online. Get 25% off sitewide at James Allen

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What we love about them:

No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
Lifetime Warranty
Free International Shipping
Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
Provide insurance appraisals
One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
Free ring inscriptions
Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
24/7 Customer Service
Best-in-class packaging

Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing.Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!
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What we love about them:

No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
Lifetime Warranty
Free Shipping
Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
Provide insurance appraisal
One free resizing within the first year of purchase
High quality images of about half of their diamonds
24/7 Customer Service
100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
Best in class fulfillment

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About the author

Mike Fried Mike Fried has over 25 years experience in the diamond industry working with Leo Schachter Diamonds, Moshe Namdar Diamonds, and joining The Diamond Pro in 2007. He is recognized as an industry expert and has been quoted in publications such as Us, People, Page Six, The Next Web and more.