5 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring – A Practical Buying Guide

When it comes to proposing to your significant other, choosing the perfect engagement ring can be one of the most important decisions you’ll make. A 5-carat diamond engagement ring is a stunning and luxurious choice that is sure to impress your partner and make them feel truly special. With its impressive size and dazzling sparkle, a 5-carat diamond ring is a statement piece that will be cherished for a lifetime.  

In this article, we’ll explore the beauty and allure of a 5-carat diamond engagement ring, from its unique features and design options to its significance and symbolism as a symbol of love and commitment.  

JamesAllen Engagement Rings

How Big is a 5 Carat Diamond? 

5.50 carat round diamond
5 carat loose diamond by James Allen. See it here.

When it comes to choosing a diamond, carats are the ultimate measure of weight. But don’t get confused with karats, which measure the purity of gold. So, if you’re looking for a 5 carat diamond, you’re after a stone that weighs a hefty 1 gram or 0.035 ounces. But what about the size of the diamond?  

That’s where the cut comes in. The cut can determine whether a diamond looks deep and narrow or wide and shallow. Generally, a slightly deeper cut can enhance the diamond’s brilliance, while a wider cut can provide more surface area to admire from above. So, when choosing a 5 carat diamond, not only are you getting a statement piece, but you’re also considering the cut to ensure the ultimate dazzle factor. 

In general, a 5 carat Round cut diamond – the most popular diamond cut – will have a diameter of 11 mm or 1.1 cm. That’s less than half an inch but it’s close to twice the width of a 1 carat diamond and is more than enough to nail everyone’s attention onto your ring finger. 

5 Carat Diamond Ring Price 

5 carat radiant diamond
5 carat radiant diamond by Brian Gavin. See it here.

There’s no denying that 5 carat diamonds come with a hefty price tag. The cost of a 5 carat diamond can range anywhere between $15,000 to over $500,000 depending on the type and quality of the stone. However, it’s crucial to understand that not all 5 carat diamonds are created equal, and quality should be a top priority when making a purchase. 

When it comes to a diamond’s quality, there are several factors to consider, including clarity, color, and cut. Clarity refers to the diamond’s internal flaws and blemishes, with the fewer imperfections, the higher the clarity grade.  

The color of a diamond also plays a significant role in its value, with colorless diamonds being the most valuable. Lastly, the cut of a diamond can make all the difference in its appearance, with a well-cut diamond maximizing its brilliance and sparkle. 

While a 5 carat diamond priced at $15,000 may seem like a steal, it’s essential to consider its quality. Often, diamonds priced this low may not have the necessary clarity, color, and cut required to make an impressive engagement ring centerpiece. It’s crucial to invest in a high-quality diamond that will last a lifetime and serve as a symbol of your love and commitment. 

The 4Cs of a 5 Carat Diamond 

5 carat round cut diamond
5 carat round cut diamond by Whiteflash. See it here.

When it comes to diamonds, size does matter – but it’s not everything. The 4Cs – Carat size, Cut, Clarity, and Color – are what truly make a diamond shine. And when it comes to a 5 carat diamond, those factors become even more important. The size of the stone means that any flaws in the Clarity or Color will be more noticeable, making a high quality grade essential.  

The Cut is equally crucial, as it determines how well the diamond reflects light and sparkles. A diamond’s shape is also a factor to consider. So, while a 5 carat diamond may seem impressive at first glance, it’s the quality of the stone that truly counts. 

Choosing a 5 Carat Diamond

When it comes to buying a 5 carat diamond engagement ring, it’s easy to get swept up in the sheer size of the stone. But before you break the bank, remember that bigger isn’t always better. In fact, prioritizing a diamond’s cut, clarity, and color over its carat size can actually give you a better-looking stone for a similar price.  

A 4 carat diamond with excellent cut, clarity, and color will outshine a lackluster 5 carat diamond any day. Plus, the smaller but higher-quality diamond will even look as big as the larger but less impressive one, thanks to its superior brilliance. So, if you’re looking for a stunning engagement ring that won’t break the bank, remember to prioritize quality over quantity. 

Should You Avoid 5 Carat Diamonds?

Not at all – it just means that you should first make sure the other three Cs of the diamond are up to par and that you can afford both that and the 5 carat size. To be more specific – if you’re adamant about getting a 5 carat diamond, it’s best not to get: 

  • A Cut grade below ideal and excellent 
  • A Clarity grade below VS1 or VS2 
  • A Color grade below H or I 

If you have to compromise with any of the above for the sake of your budget, it’s best to instead compromise with a few decimal points off the carat size. If you don’t want to do either, we’d recommend just going for a lab grown diamond, so, let’s cover those next. 

Lab Grown 5 Carat Diamond 

5 carat lab-created pear diamond
5 carat lab grown pear diamond by James Allen. See it here.

The diamond industry has been dominated by natural diamonds for centuries, leaving lab grown diamonds in the shadows. But here’s a secret: lab grown diamonds are just as real as natural diamonds, and they are shaking up the diamond world in the best possible way!  

Not only are they significantly more affordable, but they are also much more eco-friendly and conflict-free to produce. And guess what? They are often of even higher quality than their natural counterparts. 

Sure, they’re made in a lab, but that doesn’t mean they’re any less of a diamond. In fact, the same processes that form natural diamonds in the Earth’s crust are used to grow lab grown diamonds, just in an optimized laboratory setting. And the best part? Lab grown diamonds have little to no undesirable inclusions and blemishes, giving them better clarity and color grades than most natural diamonds. 

So, if you’re looking for a stunning 5 carat diamond that won’t break the bank, consider going for a lab grown diamond. You’ll be saving a fortune and getting a gorgeous, real diamond that’s just as good (if not better!) than a natural one. Who needs “prestige” when you can have quality and affordability? 

How to Choose a Setting for a 5 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring  

5.00 carat pave engagement ring
5 carat diamond engagement ring by James Allen. See it here.

Ring settings are an often-underestimated part of the whole diamond ring equation. For one, ring settings are a significantly smaller part of the whole ring’s price compared to the cost of a 5 carat diamond. 

In addition to that, the setting can drastically enhance the look of the ring if it includes additional diamonds and gemstones such as a halo or pave setting, it can emphasize the beauty of the 5 carat diamond with an elevated prong or cathedral setting, or it can help protect your valuable centerpiece stone with a secure bezel or halo setting. 

All three of these considerations are drastically different but they are all valuable too. So, which should you choose? This is, ultimately, a personal choice, but here’s our breakdown: 

  1. If you want to wear your 5 carat diamond engagement ring regularly and you want it to last in perfect condition for decades, a protective setting such as a bezel or halo can do that by preventing accidental knocks, scratches, and snagging on clothes and hair. Such settings will hide significant portions of the diamond, however, but the top side will still be fully visible. 
  1. If you want as much of your 5 carat diamond to be visible as possible, an exposed prong setting is the way to go. Such settings put your diamond at risk of wear and tear with regular and prolonged use, however, they show its full beauty in a way no other setting can accomplish.  
  1. If you want to add even more sparkle to your ring, a halo, side stone, or pave setting can do that with even more smaller diamonds and gemstones. This can make a 5 carat diamond ring look overly luxurious for some people’s tastes but there’s no denying the end result is stunning. Plus, a halo setting also falls in the first category above in that it also helps protect the centerpiece stone. 

How to Get the Best Value for a 5 Carat Diamond Ring? 

5 carat lab-grown emerald diamond
5 carat lab-grown emerald diamond. See it here.

Getting the right diamond from the right vendor and putting it on the right ring are the three pillars of getting the best value out of a 5 carat diamond ring. We’ve touched on most of these above but let’s sum them up quickly here: 

  • The “right” 5 carat diamond is one that has excellent cut, clarity, and color grades or is close to them. In terms of value, we’d say picking a lab grown diamond is the best choice here but natural diamonds are still considered the better option for heirloom jewelry by many people, so, that depends on your preference. 
  • The right vendor is one that doesn’t overprice its stock, has a huge inventory, and offers excellent customer service. We’ll give some examples below but, suffice it to say that it’s not “good value” to get your diamond from someone who’s overpricing their stock. 
  • Putting your diamond on the right ring means choosing the right setting for your stone and for your preferences and lifestyle needs. It also often means choosing the right setting or metal color to work with some diamonds’ specifics. For example, if you’ve chosen a 5 carat diamond with a slightly lower color grade and it has some slight yellowish color hues, going for a yellow gold ring metal and setting can help mask that.  

Famous 5 Carat Diamond Rings 

One of the most famous is the ring given by actor Richard Burton to Elizabeth Taylor. This stunning ring featured a 5-carat Asscher-cut diamond surrounded by smaller diamonds, making it a total of 8.24 carats. The ring was so unique and special that Taylor wore it nearly every day of her life. 

Another famous 5-carat diamond engagement ring belonged to Jackie Kennedy, given to her by Aristotle Onassis. The ring featured a 5-carat marquise-cut diamond and was set in a classic gold band. It was a stunning and elegant piece that perfectly captured Jackie’s refined style. 

In 2010, singer Katy Perry received a 5-carat pink diamond engagement ring from her then-husband Russell Brand. The ring was set in a classic gold band and featured a stunning pink oval-shaped diamond surrounded by smaller white diamonds. It was a unique and eye-catching ring that perfectly reflected Perry’s bold and quirky style. 

Other famous 5-carat diamond engagement rings include the one given to Kim Kardashian by Kanye West, featuring a 15-carat cushion-cut diamond and the one given to Jennifer Aniston by Justin Theroux, featuring a 5.5-carat emerald-cut diamond. 

FAQs about 5 Carat Diamond Engagement Rings  

1. How much does a 5 carat diamond engagement ring cost?

The cost of a 5 carat diamond engagement ring can range from $15,000 to $500,000 or even more. 

2. What are the 4Cs to consider when buying a 5 carat diamond engagement ring? 

The 4Cs are carat size, cut, clarity, and color. 

3. Which of the 4Cs is the most important when buying a 5 carat diamond engagement ring? 

Cut is the most important of the 4Cs for a 5 carat diamond engagement ring. 

4. Should I prioritize a larger carat size or better quality for a 5 carat diamond engagement ring? 

It’s better to prioritize better quality over a larger carat size for a 5 carat diamond engagement ring. 

5. Are lab-grown diamonds a good option for a 5 carat diamond engagement ring?

Yes, lab-grown diamonds are a great option for a 5 carat diamond engagement ring due to their affordability, eco-friendliness, and quality. 

Wrapping Up 

5 carat diamonds are valuable and gorgeous gemstones but they also come with some impressive price tags. Fortunately, if you know where to look and if you’re smart with your purchase, you can get even a 5 carat diamond of high enough quality at a moderate price. As with other diamonds and jewelry pieces, to get the best value, you’d want to do quite a bit of research and planning, but the result is always worth it. 

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