A diamond's carat weight is the unit of measurement that is used to weigh diamonds and other precious gemstones. One carat is equal to 200 milligrams, roughly the weight of the paper clip.

Before the 1900s, the weight of a carat varied depending where in the world you were. This was because, despite being based off of the uniform carob seed, carat weight wasn't standardized, so there was no universal measurement.

In 1913, the carat weight was finally universally standardized. The method of measuring to three decimal points and rounding to the nearest hundredth was adopted to ensure as accurate weighing as possible.

It's easy to believe that when it comes to 1-carat diamond engagement rings, bigger is always better. However, this is not always the case.

Why is this?

In some cases, a 1-carat diamond can actually appear smaller than a differently shaped diamond of a lower carat weight. This has everything to do with the way that the diamond is cut and how it holds its weight. For example, oval-cut diamonds will appear larger than round brilliant diamonds. This is because the oval diamond will have a larger surface area than the round brilliant--thus creating the illusion of a larger diamond.

And of course, remember that sacrificing quality for quantity is never a good idea unless you really need your diamond to be large. In fact, a 1-carat diamond that is in your desired shape and has high grades in cut, color, and clarity, will always be a better choice than a larger-sized diamond that sacrifices any of your dream ring wishes.

Looking for the perfect-sized diamond for your engagement ring? A one-carat diamond may be a great choice for you!

A 1-carat diamond is a timeless choice no matter how you style it. It is large enough to make a statement and showcase its shine while not appearing to gratuitous and flashy. Plus, a 1-carat diamond is a versatile choice as it can be set within a large variety of ring styles.

Create a solitaire ring by placing your brilliant 1-carat diamond atop a luxurious yellow, white, rose-gold, or platinum band. Or, make your 1-carat sparkle as the center diamond in a three-stone setting. No matter what style you choose, you can rest easy knowing that your 1-carat engagement ring will never go out of style.

A 1-carat diamond ring can greatly vary in cost but at Clean Origin, you can expect to pay anywhere between $1,484 for a pear-cut lab created diamond set in a white-gold solitaire band to a $7,257 for an emerald-cut lab created diamond toi et moi ring in pleasing platinum. So whether you want to spend a little or a lot with a simple 1-carat diamond center stone or a multi-stone stunner, Clean Origin has the perfect ring for you.

As described above, the cost of a 1-carat diamond engagement ring can vary greatly. But what affects this discrepancy in cost?

Well, a lot of things. But primarily, the overall grading of your 1-carat diamond will affect its price the most. The grading of a diamond is determined by the 4 Cs: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. The better the grading of each of these factors, the more valuable the diamond will be, and the higher the cost of the ring.

For example, if your 1-carat diamond has a high grade for cut, it will reflect more light and appear more brilliant, making it more valuable. A higher grade for color means that the diamond will have less of a yellow or brown tint, making it more desirable and valuable. Finally, when a diamond scores a high clarity grade it becomes more difficult to see inclusions or blemishes within the stone (if there are any at all).

Another factor that determines cost is diamond shape. Round brilliant diamonds will always cost more than an Asscher-cut diamond or other fancy shaped diamond. This is because a round creates the most diamond waste from rough diamond and thus, will cost more.

Finally, the materials used and the style of 1-carat diamond engagement ring can greatly affect cost. In general, the more luxurious the precious metal the higher the cost. For example, a platinum diamond ring will cost more than a rose-gold diamond ring as platinum is more rare than rose-gold. Additionally, if you prefer glitzier styles that incorporate extra bling or features like two tone bands or a halo setting, you can expect to pay a bit more.

A lab created diamond provides all of the sparkle and brilliance of mined diamonds without any of the ethical or environmental qualms. On average, in order to mine 1-carat of diamond, around 1,700 tons of earth has to be displaced. This can create devastating consequences for the local ecosystem and use up precious farmland that could better be utilized by the locals.

Additionally, while the Kimberley Accord has helped curb the trade of unethical diamonds, it is still pretty impossible to be 100% sure that your mined diamond is 100% conflict-free. A lab grown diamond from Clean Origin takes the guesswork out of wondering if you're wearing a conflict-free diamond.

Plus, because all of our diamonds are created in a lab, they have a shorter supply chain and are on average 20-40% more affordable than mined diamonds. And with a variety of styles, colors, diamond shapes, and price points, you can feel confident knowing that your 1-carat diamond engagement ring is as beautiful as it is ethical.

Shop Our 1-Carat Lab Created Diamond Engagement Rings Now