Although the word carat tends to make people think of the overall size of a diamond, it actually refers to the stone’s weight — more specifically, its mass. Carat should also not be confused with karat, which measures the purity of gold or platinum.

A single carat is equal to 200 milligrams, which is roughly the weight of a seed from a carob tree (where the word ‘carat’ comes from). A .75 carat diamond weighs 150 milligrams. The difference between 200 milligrams and 150 milligrams isn’t much — 50 milligrams is approximately equal to a single piece of paper confetti. But when it comes to diamonds, those 50 milligrams can make a noticeable difference in terms of price.

Although many factors come together to determine the overall price of a diamond, the carat weight is one of the most relevant, and the price of a diamond increase exponentially with the weight. This means you will likely end up paying a more expensive price for a two-carat diamond than you would pay for two similar one-carat diamonds. It also means that by going with a .75 carat diamond over a 1 carat diamond, you’ll pay less than 75% of the 1 carat diamond’s price.

As far as size is concerned, a round .75 carat ideal cut diamond measures about 5.8 millimeters in diameter; a similarly cut 1 carat diamond measures about 6.4 millimeters. That’s a difference of less than one millimeter, which can be hard to see without comparing the diamonds side by side. Different cuts of popular diamond shapes also measure differently, so it’s possible to have two diamonds of different sizes weigh the same amount.

All of this comes together to create a unique opportunity for diamond buyers. By choosing a .75 carat diamond over a 1 carat diamond, you may be able to reduce your costs without sacrificing anything associated with the diamond’s appearance. But to get the best deal for your budget, consider lab grown diamonds.

Lab grown diamonds are diamonds that are grown in a lab. But unlike other natural-diamond alternatives, these diamonds are completely identical to mined diamonds in every way that matters. Chemically, molecularly, and visually these lab grown diamonds are indistinguishable from diamonds pulled out of diamond mines. The only differences have to do with where they come from and how much they cost.

Diamond mining carries with it significant Diamond miningecological and ethical impacts, harming natural environments and often contributing to forced labor, violence, and conflict. At the same time, because diamonds are only found in certain parts of the world (most commonly in Africa and Russia), mined diamonds typically need to be transported over large distances before they reach their buyers. 

Lab grown diamonds circumvent these issues. They don’t have to be mined, and they can be made practically anywhere. They’re fully ethical and sustainable, and they cost 20 – 40% less than mined diamonds of the same quality. So, where you might pay $3000 for a .75 carat diamond mined from the ground, you could potentially get a less expensive, physically identical lab grown diamond for as little as $1800.

What can you expect to pay for a .75 carat diamond? It all depends on the quality of the diamond itself, as categorized using the 4 C’s: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. If you’re interested in a .75 carat diamond, then you already know the weight, but the quality of the diamond’s cut, whether it has any noticeable inclusions or blemishes, and the natural color of the diamond (or lack of color) will all help determine the total value of the stone:

Diamond Cut: The diamond’s cut will directly affect its brilliance and fire — the better the cut, the more sparkle the stone has. Diamond cuts are rated on a scale from poor to excellent, with higher quality cuts being more valuable.

Diamond Clarity: A diamond’s clarity measures the inclusions (natural imperfections found inside the diamond) and blemishes (imperfections on the surface that may be introduced during the cutting process). Diamond clarity uses its own rating system, and a diamond graded as SI2 or better is usually said to be “eye clean,” meaning that there are no imperfections visible to the naked eye.

Diamond Color: Although there is certainly a market for colored diamonds and gemstones, traditional diamonds are more valuable when they don’t have any color at all. Diamonds are graded on an alphabetical scale from D (no color) to Z (noticeably yellow).

Diamond Carat: Finally, the more mass or weight the diamond has, the more it will cost — depending on how the diamond rates in the other categories.

For a .75 carat diamond engagement ring, you can expect to pay anywhere from about $900 on the lower end of the quality spectrum up to around $8000 for a top-quality, flawless diamond. That said, diamond prices have been known to fluctuate based on market conditions as well as the most popular diamond shapes.

Look for diamonds that fall just under .75 carats: The difference between a .75 carat diamond and a .73 carat diamond is almost microscopic. But because .75 carat diamonds are so popular, some jewelers will offer discounts on diamonds that aren’t quite up to this weight. A smaller-carat diamond may even be cut in such a way that its diameter is equal or even greater to a slightly heavier diamond, making the stone appear either the same size or larger when viewed from above.

Put the greatest emphasis on the diamond’s cut: More than any other factor, the diamond’s cut will determine how much the stone sparkles. Placing more emphasis on this element will help ensure that you find a diamond that is truly eye catching rather than simply heavy.

Only consider certified diamonds: Unless you’re a gemologist with a microscope, you’re going to need to take someone's word for the physical quality of the diamond before you make your purchase. Certified diamonds, with certificates issued by an independent, respected gemological laboratory (such as GIA, AGS, or HRD), offer a detailed and reliable breakdown of the diamond’s physical characteristics, so you can be sure you’re getting what you pay for.

Apply savings from lower-weight diamonds toward other quality factors: Even a fraction of a carat can mean a difference of hundreds of dollars, so why not cut back slightly on the weight and apply those savings elsewhere? For a higher-quality cut, fewer inclusions, and a clearer color, a couple of milligrams worth of a diamond is a small price to pay.

As mentioned above, lab grown diamonds are ethically sourced, environmentally friendly, and completely physically identical to mined diamonds while costing significantly less. Considering lab grown options is a great way to support a positive industry while also protecting your budget.