The Diamond Pro’s 4 Carat Engagement Ring Guide
How to get the best quality 4 carat diamond for your engagement ring
A 4 carat diamond ring is an absolute showstopper. As long as you know what you are doing when buying one, the incredible size, fire and brilliance will cause heads to turn in any room you enter. That is where we come in. In this article we show you how to find the perfect balance between value and quality to get a gorgeous 4 carat engagement ring.
We understand that purchasing a 4 carat diamond takes a little more time and effort than a diamond ring closer to what you find in your typical local jeweler. You are best off contacting us directly. We are happy to answer any questions you have at any point in the process.
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.
What we’ll cover in this article:
How much does a 4 carat diamond ring cost?
How large is a 4 carat diamond?
Where should I buy a 4 carat engagement ring?
Tips for buying a 4 carat diamond ring.
FAQs about 4 carat diamond rings
Bottom line recommendation
Deal Alert: Get 25% off engagement ring settings at Blue Nile!
How Much Does a 4 Carat Diamond Ring Cost
On average, the cost of a 4 carat diamond ring can range from $40,000 to $275,000 or more, depending on the diamond’s cut quality, clarity and color. A good quality 4 carat diamond based on our recommendations costs $100,000. In general, the higher the quality of a diamond of this carat weight, the higher its price. High-end jewelry seems to be very sought after these days.
4 Carat Diamond Price Chart – Updated October 2024
| Type | Total Cost | Diamond Cost | Setting Cost | Specs |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 4.01 carat cushion cut halo set ring | $62,370 | $59,900 ($14,938/ct) | $2,470 | 4.01ct cushion cut H color VVS2 clarity |
| 4.12 carat round channel set ring | $72,820 | $71,110 ($17,260/ct) | $1,710 | 4.12ct round H color VS1 clarity |
| 4.05 carat cushion cut channel set ring | $43,820 | $42,780 ($10,563/ct) | $1,040 | 4.05ct cushion I color VS1 clarity |
| 4.21 carat pear cut halo set ring | $58,470 | $57,150 ($13,575/ct) | $1,320 | 4.21ct pear cut H color VVS2 clarity |
As we’ve covered in our guide to the 4 Cs of diamonds, carat weight is only one of four factors that affect its price. The others are its cut quality, clarity and color.
4 Carat diamond prices explained
Each of these has a significant impact on a diamond’s price, especially when it’s a large stone like a four carat diamond. This is because factors like color, clarity and cut quality can be more visible in a four carat diamond than in a smaller stone. Have a look at our diamond calculator to explore the price differences.
At the highest color and clarity grades, a four carat diamond can have a retail worth of as much as $275,000 or more.
In short, the exact price you’ll pay for a 4 carat diamond varies depending on the three other Cs — cut quality, clarity and color. We recommend sticking within the range we provided above — a color in the G-I range, and a clarity grade in the VS1 or VS2 range — to get optimal value.
Finally, there’s a fifth factor that can affect the price of a 4 carat diamond — its shape. As we covered in our guide to diamond shapes and pricing, the price of a diamond can vary based on its shape, with certain shapes costing more per carat than others.
Once you get to a large diamond like a 4 carat, you are entering the high-end luxury market. Stephen Lussier, executive vice president of DeBeers, made an interesting point on this matter. “In every market in the world, the number one competition to our industry is travel. If you have a wedding, a 10th or 25th wedding anniversary, a significant birthday, the romantic thing to do is travel.”
When talking about prices for a hundred thousand diamonds, there is not as much change based on the natural ebb and flow of the economy. Stock prices affect demand far more than a recession or unemployment numbers.
How Large is a 4 Carat Diamond?
If a diamond is 4 carats, it weighs 800 milligrams (0.8 grams). The size of a 4 carat round diamond is approximately 10.1mm, or approximately 0.4 inches, across its surface (the diamond’s diameter). Carat is a unit of weight measurement. Five carats equals 1 gram.
As with other diamonds, the price you’ll pay for a diamond in the 4 carat range increases as the diamond gets larger. All diamonds are priced per carat on the wholesale level. For example, a 4.50 carat diamond may be priced at $23,500 per carat. The diamond’s price would be $23,500 x 4.50, equaling $105,750.
The price of a 4.5 carat diamond ring can range from $40,000 to as much as $450,000 for diamonds close to the 5 carat range. Just like with a 4 carat diamond, factors like cut quality, clarity, shape and color all affect a diamond’s value and selling price.
Here we will discuss the technical factors that determine the value of your 4ct diamond. It is also important where you purchase your diamond.
Diamond prices per carat also increase as the weight category increases. The price per carat increases exponentially with weight because of the diamond’s higher weight value but also the higher price per carat within the weight category.
It’s important to pay attention to the weight ‘category,’ as prices per carat don’t continually increase as weight increases. Diamond prices are often driven more by emotion than reason.
Buying a diamond that is ‘almost’ 4 carats
While it may seem advantageous to look for a diamond that’s just below a new weight category, such as a 3.90-3.99 carat diamond, that really isn’t the case. Diamond cutters have become more efficient at their job. In fact, it’s incredibly rare to find a well-cut 3.90 diamond.
In addition, the search for an “almost” 4 carat diamond or “almost” 5 carat diamond has become incredibly popular. This popularity pushes up the price for those particular diamonds—making the cost savings minimal. Ultimately, you can search for a 3.90ct+ diamond, but we suggest not trying to find one specifically, as you’re severely limiting your search potential without really saving anything.
The Difference Between Diamond Carat and Diamond Size
Diamond size and diamond carat are often mistaken as meaning the same thing. As mentioned above, carat refers to the weight of the diamond—whereas diamond size refers to visual appearance (how large it appears).
A larger-sized diamond does not mean it has a larger carat weight. The table surface area, depth, and other shape features are not impacted by carat weight. Aspects like surface area and depth depend on diamond shape and how the diamond is cut—both of which contribute to how big a diamond appears.
For example, a 4 carat pear shaped diamond ring will likely appear larger than a 4 carat round brilliant diamond ring. Both are stunning choices but the size of the stones appears different even though the carat weight is the same.
When it comes to shape, size, and carat weight, review several options to determine which diamonds appeal to you the most.
| Diamond Shape | Surface Area for 4 Carat |
|---|---|
| Round brilliant cut | 10.20×10.20×6.20mm |
| Princess cut | 9.00×9.00×6.3mm |
| Emerald cut | 10.50×7.50×5.10mm |
| Asscher cut | 9.00×9.00×5.80mm |
| Radiant cut | 9.50×8.50×5.87mm |
| Cushion cut | 10.00×8.50×5.90mm |
| Oval diamond | 13.00×8.50×5.25mm |
| Pear shaped diamond | 13.50×9.00×5.28mm |
| Heart shaped diamond | 10.30×10.30×6.25mm |
| Marquise diamond | 16.00×8.00×5.00mm |
| Trillion diamond | 12.28×12.28×4.90mm |
Where To Buy a 4 Carat Diamond Ring
It is rare to find 4 carat diamonds in local shops. If you do find a 4 carat diamond in a jewelry store, it’s likely to be cut poorly—greatly impacting the overall brilliance and beauty of the diamond. Fortunately, we have secret-shopped hundreds of retailers and narrowed down your options for the best places to get your diamond engagement ring.
One company we should highlight specifically for 4 carat shoppers is Abe Mor Diamonds based in the heart of NYC’s diamond district. Specializing in larger diamonds, Abe Mor offers exceptional quality with personalized service. Many of our readers looking for larger diamonds have gone to Abe Mor and been blown away by the ring they got. They usually have a collection of 4 carat diamonds and can assist you in finding one that’s brilliant and well-cut. If you are interested, visit Abe Mor’s site.
In addition to Abe Mor Diamonds, you have standard online options. Through online vendors, you can find an extraordinary 4 carat diamond ring at an excellent price point. Both Blue Nile and James Allen often have a stunning selection of 4 carat diamonds. Using the high-end photography on their sites, you can review diamonds up close before purchasing.
How To Get The Best Value For a 4 Carat Diamond Ring
Our goal is to help you find the most exceptional 4 carat diamond at an excellent price. We want you to spend your budget where it will matter—and scale back in the areas that will go unnoticed.
Most importantly, we recommend reviewing every 4 carat diamond yourself or having an expert assist you.
You should also ensure that your diamond comes If a seller is suggesting you purchase a diamond from a different grading entity, it’s best to steer clear, especially with 4 carat diamonds. No matter what their lab report claims, the actual quality of the diamond is far less than what the certificate states.
The Diamond Pro’s Quality Tips For a 4 Carat Diamond
- Cut: Choose diamonds of an ideal cut or an excellent grade on the GIA scale. An extraordinery diamond cut optimizes the brilliance and fire of the diamond more than any other factor. We consider diamond cut the most important of the 4C’s.
- Clarity: Look for diamonds of either VS1 and VS2 clarity grade. This will offer you the greatest value for what can be seen with the naked eye. When we explain the diamond clarity chart, we recommend SI1/SI2 clarity diamonds, but when the size is 4 carats, it’s unlikely to find an eye-clean diamond.
- Color: Consider diamonds in the nearly colorless range of G to I as we talk about in our article on the diamond color scale. These diamonds will appear clear to the naked eye and cost much less than diamonds in the D to F categories.
- Certification: Buying a 4 carat diamond with a certificate from a reputable source like the GIA is an absolute must. If someone tries to sell you a diamond with other certificates, walk away ASAP. We cover this in our diamond certification article.
FAQs About 4 Carat Diamonds
Is a 4 carat diamond too big?
A 4 carat diamond is definitely a substantial rock. Can you wear it with everyday wear? Usually, you can, unless you have an overtly elaborate setting as well.
How much does a 4 carat lab-grown diamond cost?
A 4 carat lab-grown diamond ring with a beautiful G VS1 diamond like this one from James Allen will cost you about $17,000. Most people looking for a higher-end engagement ring prefer a natural diamond but as CNN points out, there is definitely an increased interest in lab-created diamonds.
Should I buy a 4 carat diamond online?
You absolutely can buy a 4 carat diamond online. Stick with reputable retailers, make sure they have high-quality images and that they offer GIA certified diamonds. We talk about buying online vs buying at a physical store here.
Conclusion
Diamonds of the same carat weight differ dramatically in their overall appeal and brilliance. If you have questions about 4 carat diamonds or would like help in your search, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Bottom Line Recommendation:
For 4 carat diamonds, we recommend only considering diamonds with an ideal cut or an excellent grade cut on the GIA scale. Choose a diamond that is G-I on the color scale and VS1 or VS2 on the clarity scale. Purchase your stone from a prominent diamond dealer that offers GIA certifications with every diamond.
Because of its significant carat weight, a 4 carat diamond has an extraordinary capacity for brilliance, sparkle, and fire. A stunning 4 carat diamond that’s well-cut gives you the ‘wow’ factor and makes your loved one feel extra special. But buying any 4 carat diamond will not get you the results you want. You could buy a poorly cut 4 carat diamond that appears dull or one that will turn heads like. Be sure to follow our advice.
What to look for:
What to avoid:
Only buy from a reputable retailer. At this price you are risking a lot to save a couple percent.
If its too good to be true, its too good to be true.
Pay closer attention to dimensions than the actual carat weight.
Avoid diamonds with strong blue fluorescence
Having trouble navigating the diamond buying minefield? We are happy to help. CONTACT US
Here are more carat size topics to browse:
- How to read a diamond carat/size chart
- What are diamonds worth?
- What does the average engagement ring cost?
- What is the price of a ½ carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a ¾ carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 1 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 1.5 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 2 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 2.5 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 3 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 5 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 6 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 7 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of an 8 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 9 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 10 carat diamond ring?
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
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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