How to Buy A Two Carat Diamond Ring

It is critical to understand the 4 C's of diamonds before shopping for a 2 carat diamond ring. This larger stone size requires extra focus to make sure any flaws aren't visible to the naked eye.

But looking for a 2 carat diamond ring may seem overwhelming.  You need to understand the 4 C's of diamonds. Below are tips and tricks to make the most of your budget and land the best high-quality diamond for you.

How Big Is A 2 Carat Diamond Ring?

Carats are often mistaken for a size measurement.  In truth, carats are the standard of measurement for weighing precious stones.  A 2 carat diamond weighs about 400 milligrams.  Since diamonds are cut by carat weight you can expect the surface area to vary among the different diamond shapes.  See the chart below for the dimensions and face-up size of the various diamond cuts.

Shopping online jewelers like Blue Nile is usually your best bet when it comes to finding the best selection of 2 carat diamond rings.  These reputable online jewelers offer tools like filters, reviews, videos and high-definition images that make it easy to pick a ring. You can see the stone of your choice in different settings, so you know the final ring will look exactly like you expect.

 TIP: Keep in mind that lower color and clarity grades can still look beautiful and offer great savings. However, if a two carat diamond is out of your budget, a 1.5ct stone will still look large and cost less. Learn more about what carat diamond to choose.

How Much is A Two Carat Diamond Ring?

Two carat diamonds (not including the cost of the setting) vary widely in price. The chart below should help you understand how diamond shape impacts price.

This chart is limited to H color, VS2 diamonds, so two carat diamonds can be more or less expensive depending on the color and clarity grade.

TIP: The price difference between round diamonds and fancy shapes is always significant. You could save thousands of dollars if you're considering a fancy diamond shape, read about their pros and cons.

Cut Quality In A Two Carat Diamond

For any two carat diamond, you'll want to find one with fantastic cut quality. Although a poorly cut two carat diamond will still have some sparkle, you'd be better off opting for a smaller, well-cut diamond. The smaller one will perform better and can actually appear larger!  So, if the two carat mark is of utmost importance to you, do not compromise on the cut.

Since cut quality differs for each shape, you'll want to check out our guides if you're looking for a fancy shape.

Princess • Cushion • Oval • Emerald • Pear • Asscher • Marquise • Radiant

This 2 carat emerald cut diamond ring from Blue Nile has two tapered baguette diamonds framing the center stone.

While judging cut quality for fancy shapes is somewhat subjective, evaluating round brilliant diamonds is almost a science. If you're looking for a round diamond with the best sparkle, limit yourself to "excellent" or "ideal" cut grades and stick to the parameters in our guide.

Although this recommendation will help you find a fantastic diamond online, you'll want to look at videos of your diamond, if possible. Make sure that the stone has good sparkle throughout. Look at the brilliance (white flashes) and dispersion or fire (colored flashes) in the diamond. A well-cut diamond should have a good mix of both, but you may prefer more fire or brilliance.

Choosing Color and Clarity for a Two Carat Diamond

For a two carat diamond, an SI1 clarity grade is still likely eye-clean. If you opt for a higher clarity grade, you'll be paying extra for quality that you can't appreciate without a microscope.

Be sure to check for large, dark spots under the table, which can be seen with the naked eye. If you're not sure, it's better to play it safe and try for a higher clarity grade. Those on a tight budget should be able to find an eye-clean, SI2 clarity, two-carat diamond, which can save you some money.

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For color, an I or J will still appear white against white gold or platinum. A K or L color could work for yellow gold or rose gold settings. While higher color grades will appear marginally whiter, it's not very noticeable — try telling the difference in our quiz.

Also take a look at the setting to see what color the prongs are, since this will impact how the diamond appears in the ring.

Although you can find diamonds with lower color grades that "face-up" whiter, trying to save money by compromising on color is a gamble. Still, if you enjoy a warm tint, then opt for a lower color grade.

2 Carat Diamond Ring Settings

The diamond will be a separate cost from the setting. The cost of a setting depends on the metal, accent stones (if any), and design. Look through our style guide for ideas and inspiration to help find the perfect piece for you. These are settings that can be mixed and matched with your chosen stone.

Best Places to Buy Two Carat Diamond Rings

Most retail stores don't carry good quality two carat diamonds. However, online retailers can offer a large selection. Most importantly, they can also give you a close-up video of your diamond, letting you see how it performs. For their great selection, prices, and customer service, James Allen and Blue Nile come highly recommended. Both sites provide magnified 360° videos of their diamonds, letting you evaluate their performance and clarity characteristics.

Of course, with such a large purchase, check the retailer's policies on returns and exchanges.  Check out our Blue Nile Review and James Allen Review to learn more about the online experience with these popular diamond retailers.