Absolutely! Buying a beautiful diamond for the perfect engagement ring for less than $2000 may sound unrealistic, but you better believe it!

Yes, you can find good quality diamonds for under $2000. However, they will generally have a lower grade across all of the 4Cs compared to more expensive diamonds. You will have to compromise in some areas, but you can still get a great quality diamond that fits your budget and needs.

Four diamond characteristics collectively known as the 4Cs – Cut, Clarity, Color, and Carat weight - determine the price of a diamond engagement ring.

Cut

The diamond cut directly affects the sparkle and how shiny it will appear to the naked eye. It also determines the overall durability of the stone. We recommend you refrain from cutting corners when it comes to the cut of your diamond. A poor-cut diamond will be uneven and dull, something you want to avoid.

Clean Origin only carries Excellent, Very Good, and Good Cut diamonds. When you shop with us, any diamond you select will shine bright and brilliantly.

Clarity

Clarity indicates the number of inclusions in a diamond. These are the minor imperfections in all diamonds - natural or lab grown. Instead of using up a large portion of your budget on the clarity of a diamond, let your eyes be the judge and confirm if there are any significant differences.

For example, a one-carat diamond solitaire with VVS2 clarity compared to another with a VS1 clarity grade may look just as clean. However, you would notice a significant price difference due to their price per carat.

Color

Diamond color measures how much tint is present in a diamond. Whether formed deep inside the Earth or in a lab, one can find traces of other elements within a diamond. Color grades determine the price of a diamond and the engagement ring itself. However, color grades can be hard to distinguish, similar to a diamond's clarity. Only some people can differentiate a diamond with a color grade E from another diamond with a color grade H.

The only perceivable difference between the two, all else equals, is that the diamond with the higher color grade will have a higher price.

Carat Weight

Carat weight is simply that – the weight of a diamond. This particular characteristic can quickly skyrocket the price of your engagement ring; the heavier the diamond, the more expensive the ring will be.

There is a common misconception that carat weight is how big a diamond is. While a diamond with a higher carat weight can seem bigger than a lower carat weight, that is not necessarily always true. The shape of the diamond also plays a role in how big or small a diamond is perceived.

Long diamond shapes such as pear or marquise diamonds are those whose body has elongated ends, making a diamond seem larger than it is. A higher cut quality can also create the illusion of a larger diamond, allowing more light to pass. Another well-known trick to make a center stone look much larger is surrounding it with smaller diamonds. The best way to do this is to use a halo setting instead of a classic solitaire setting for your ring.

Remember these things and use them to save money with an affordable diamond.

You can save a significant amount of money by choosing specific diamond shapes. A round diamond is the most expensive shape since it reflects the most light and shines the brightest. On the other hand, an emerald cut diamond has a different light performance due to its shallow shape and step-cut faceting. However, that same cut makes them appear bigger than a round diamond.

One thing to remember when choosing diamond cuts like an emerald cut or Asscher cut is to look for those with higher clarity and color grades, as imperfections and color tints are more visible in these diamonds.

At Clean Origin, all our diamonds are lab grown and 20-40% less expensive than natural diamonds. This means you can get a higher-quality diamond for less money.

Our team of diamond experts is here to help you browse our extensive collection and find a diamond for your dream ring at the right price. For the complete set, consider wedding bands! Schedule a virtual appointment with one of our jewelry experts, or find a showroom near you today!