The 4 Carat Diamond Ring Expert Buying Guide
How to get the best quality 4 carat diamond for your engagement ring
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For 4 Carat Diamonds, we recommend only considering diamonds with an ideal cut or an Excellent grade cut on the GIA scale. Choose a diamond that is G-I on the Color scale and VS1 or VS2 on the Clarity scale. Purchase your stone from a prominent diamond dealer that offers GIA or AGS certifications with every diamond.
Because of its significant carat weight, a 4 Carat Diamond has extraordinary capacity for brilliance, sparkle and fire. A stunning 4 Carat diamond that’s well-cut like this one from Blue Nile gives you the ‘wow’ factor and makes your loved one feel extra special.
But buying any 4 Carat Diamond will not get you the results you want. You could buy a poorly cut 4 Carat Diamond that appears dull, or one that will turn heads like this 4 Carat diamond ring in platinum from James Allen.
Diamonds of the same carat weight differ dramatically in their overall appeal and brilliance. If you have questions about 4 Carat diamonds or would like help in your search, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
Price of a 4 Carat Diamond Ring
On average, the cost of a 4 carat diamond ring can range from $30,000 to $250,000 or more, depending on the diamond’s cut quality, clarity and color. In general, the higher the quality of a diamond of this carat weight, the higher its price. High-end jewelry seems to be very sought after these days.
As we’ve covered in our guide to the 4 Cs, a diamond’s carat weight is only one of four factors that affect its price. The others are its cut quality, clarity and color.
Each of these has a significant impact on a diamond’s price, especially when it’s a large stone like a four carat diamond. This is because factors like color, clarity and cut quality can be more visible in a four carat diamond than in a smaller stone.
At the highest color and clarity grades, a four carat diamond can have a retail worth of as much as $250,000 or more.
In short, the exact price you’ll pay for a 4 carat diamond varies depending on the three other Cs — cut quality, clarity and color. We recommend sticking within the range we provided above — a color in the G-I range, and a clarity grade in the VS1 or VS2 range — to get optimal value.
Finally, there’s a fifth factor that can affect the price of a 4 carat diamond — its shape. Like we covered in our guide to diamond shapes and pricing, the price of a diamond can vary based on its shape, with certain shapes costing more per carat than others.
What is Ringo?
As with other diamonds, the price you’ll pay for a diamond in the 4 carat range increases as the diamond gets larger.
The price of a 4.5 carat diamond ring can range from $40,000 to as much as $450,000 for diamonds close to the 5 carat range. Just like with a 4 carat diamond, factors like cut quality, clarity, shape and color all affect a diamond’s value and selling price.
Prices of 4 carat diamond rings | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Type | Total Cost | Diamond Cost | Setting Cost | Specs |
| 4.02 Carat Cushion Cut Unique Ring from James Allen | $57,285 | $54,660 ($13,597/ct) | $2,652 | 4.02ct Cushion Cut H color VS2 clarity |
| 4.09 Carat Round Channel Set from James Allen | $82,642 | $81,180 ($19,848/ct) | $1,462 | 4.09ct Round G color VVS2 clarity |
| 4.02 Carat Round Solitaire from James Allen | $57,502 | $56,910 ($14,157/ct) | $592 | 4.02ct Round H color S1 clarity |
| 4.01 Carat Round Solitaire from James Allen | $69,725 | $68,750 ($17,145/ct) | $975 | 4.01ct Round G color VS2 clarity |
4 Carat Diamonds: Pricing Overview
Here we will discuss the technical factors that determine the value of your 4ct diamond. It is also important where you purchase your diamond. We have an article dedicated to the best places to get your diamond engagement ring. When we talk about 4 carat diamonds, we’re discussing the weight of the diamond, not its size. 4 carats is equal to 0.8 grams, or 800 milligrams.
All diamonds are priced per carat. For example, a 4.50 carat diamond may be priced at $23,500 per carat. The diamond’s price would be $23,500 x 4.50, equaling $105,750.
Diamond prices per carat also increase as the weight category increases. The price per carat increases exponentially with weight because of the diamond’s higher weight value but also the higher price per carat within the weight category.
Once you get to a large diamond like a 4 carat, you are entering the high end luxury market. Stephen Lussier, executive vice president of DeBeers, made an interesting point on this matter. “In every market in the world, the number one competition to our industry is travel. If you have a wedding, a 10th or 25th wedding anniversary, a significant birthday, the romantic thing to do is travel.”
It’s important to pay attention to weight ‘category,’ as prices per carat don’t continually increase as weight increases. Diamond prices are often driven more by emotion than reason.
While it may seem advantageous to look for a diamond that’s just below a new weight category, such as a 3.90-3.99 Carat Diamond, that really isn’t the case. Diamond cutters have become more efficient at their job. In fact, it’s incredibly rare to find a well-cut 3.90 Diamond.
In addition, the search for an “almost” 4 Carat Diamond or “almost” 5 Carat Diamond has become incredibly popular. This popularity pushes up the price for those particular diamonds—making the cost savings minimal. Ultimately, you can search for a 3.90ct+ diamond, but we suggest not trying to find one specifically, as you’re severely limiting your search potential without really saving anything.
If you’re looking for a 4 Carat Diamond, read this guide to learn how to select a remarkable diamond instead of a dud. Understanding a few basics will provide you with incredible payoff with the overall beauty and value of your stone.
For assistance with your diamond search, reach out to our diamond experts. We strongly suggest this service for those purchasing 4 Carat or 5 Carat Diamonds. You want to be sure that the purchase you make is the very best it can be. We are happy to help you source diamonds and review them before purchase.
Where To Buy a 4 Carat Diamond Ring
Because of their scarcity, 4 Carat Diamonds are rarely found in local shops. If you do find a 4 Carat diamond in a jewelry store, it’s likely to be cut poorly—greatly impacting the overall brilliance and beauty of the diamond.
The exception to brick and mortar stores are highly reputable vendors and diamond cutters, like Abe Mor based in New York City. Specializing in larger diamonds, Abe Mor offers exceptional quality with personalized service. They usually have a collection of 4 Carat Diamonds and can assist you in finding one that’s brilliant and well-cut. If you’re wondering if another store is offering you a high-quality diamond or a dud, contact us and we can offer you expert feedback before it’s too late..
In addition to Abe Mor Diamonds, you have standard online options. Through online vendors, you can find an extraordinary 4 Carat Diamond Ring at an excellent price point. Both Blue Nile and James Allen often have a stunning selection of 4 Carat Diamonds. Using the high-end photography on their sites, you can review diamonds up-close before purchasing.
Throughout our many years of experience, we’ve vetted several diamond dealers and have a consistent pulse on the companies you can trust.
For the best diamond cuts at an exceptional value, we recommend:
Abe Mor Diamonds
If you live near New York City or have the opportunity to travel there, Abe Mor is a unique option. Abe Mor is an actual wholesaler who works with boutique jewelry designers in the city. He specializes in larger diamonds and has provided remarkable diamond and jewelry options for many of our readers.
James Allen
Focuses on the customer experience, appealing prices and incredible diamond imagery. All diamonds come with a high-quality certification (GIA & AGS).
Blue Nile
Provides the largest online inventory of diamonds and jewelry settings. Blue Nile emphasizes remarkable diamond quality and offers high-quality jewelry settings. Like James Allen, all diamonds come with certification from GIA or AGS.
When selecting a diamond from a vendor, follow these expert recommendations:
- Only consider diamonds with an ideal cut or GIA grade quality of Excellent. Diamond Cut is the largest indicator of a diamond’s brilliance, fire and beauty.
- A GIA or AGS certificate should accompany any 4 Carat Diamond you’re considering.
- Look at comparable diamonds across dealers to ensure an excellent price.
- Ask for a diamond expert’s help in reviewing and searching for beautiful 4 Carat Diamonds.
Brian Gavin Diamonds
Offers super-ideal cuts with the “Brian Gavin Signature” Hearts & Arrows collection. Brian Gavin features only the best cut diamonds, all of which come with high quality certification (GIA & AGS). As the size of your diamond increases, the added brilliance of a Brian Gavin Black or Signature diamond is truly noticeable.
Bespoke Diamonds by Brian Gavin
The distinct advantage with Brian Gavin is that he’s one of the premier diamond cutters in the world. If you’re looking for something rare and have the budget, Brian will custom cut a diamond to your exact preferences. Pair the diamond with one of their custom engagement rings for an exclusive experience.
The Difference Between Diamond Carat and Diamond Size
Diamond Size and Diamond Carat are often mistaken as meaning the same thing. Diamond Carat refers to the weight of the diamond—whereas Diamond Size refers to visual appearance (how large it appears).
A larger sized diamond does not mean it has a larger carat weight. The table surface area, depth, and other shape features are not impacted by carat weight. Aspects like surface area and depth depend on Diamond Shape and how the diamond is cut—both of which contribute to how big a diamond appears.
For example, a 4 Carat Pear Shaped Diamond ring will likely appear larger than a 4 Carat Round Brilliant Diamond ring. Both are stunning choices. The size of the stones appear different even though the carat weight is the same.
When it comes to shape, size and carat weight, review several options to determine which diamonds appeal to you the most.
Clarity Rating for 4 Carat Diamond Rings
The 4 C’s (Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat Weight) of a diamond impact its beauty and brilliance. Clarity, for instance, indicates how void the diamond is of blemishes, surface defects and inclusions.
The GIA grades Clarity on the following scale from best to worst: Internally Flawless (IF), Very Very Small Inclusions 1 (VVS1), Very Very Small Inclusions 2 (VVS2), Very Small Inclusions 1 (VS1), Very Small Inclusions 2 (VS2), Small Inclusions 1 (SI1), Small Inclusions 2 (SI2), Inclusions 1 (I1), Inclusions 2 (I2).
While it’s important to review the Clarity grading from the GIA or AGS, you should also look closely at the diamond yourself to determine if any imperfections are visible to the naked eye. You can also have an expert assist you, helping you to avoid spending too much on a characteristic that will go unnoticed.
The differences between two grades, such as VVS1 and IF, are rarely noticed by the naked eye although the price can differ significantly. An eye-clean diamond that’s graded lower than a flawless diamond will look identical—assuming all else is equal. The difference you’ll notice is just in the price.
Due to their significant carat weight, we suggest a minimum of a VS2 Clarity for 4 Carat Diamonds. Most inclusions and blemishes are invisible to the naked eye at this grade. You may be able to find an S1, though, with inclusions close to the edge, meaning that once the diamond is in its setting, these inclusions may be hidden.
To maintain a reasonable spend on Clarity, the highest we usually recommend is a VVS2 diamond, as no blemishes or inclusions will be visible to the naked eye.
Overall, an eye-clean diamond is what you should be looking for. Ask for the help of an expert if you’re not confident in this area.
4 Carat Diamond Ring Shapes
Stunning 4 Carat Diamonds can be found in almost any Diamond Shape. Your Diamond Shape should be based primarily on personal preference and style.
If a larger size appearance is important to you and the wearer, it may be helpful to consider the surface area differences among shapes. Depending on the table size (the top, flat surface of a diamond), a diamond of a certain shape may appear larger than another.
The chart below lists the surface areas for each Diamond Shape:
| Diamond Shape | Approximate Table Surface Area for 4 Carat |
|---|---|
| Round Brilliant Cut | 10.32×10.32×6.22mm |
| Princess Cut | 8.75×8.75×6.3mm |
| Emerald Cut | 10.61×7.86×5.11mm |
| Asscher Cut | 8.91×8.91×5.79mm |
| Radiant Cut | 9.17×9.17×5.87mm |
| Cushion Cut | 9.25×9.25×5.92mm |
| Oval Diamond | 12.89×8.59×5.24mm |
| Pear Shaped Diamond | 14.36×8.65×5.28mm |
| Heart Shaped Diamond | 10.42×10.42×6.25mm |
| Marquise Diamond | 16.48×8.24×5.03mm |
| Trillion Diamond | 12.28×12.28×4.91mm |
Look at celebrity engagement rings to see how particular 4ct diamonds look in real life.
4 Carat Diamond Ring Colors
Diamond Color, one of the 4 Cs, is graded by the GIA on a scale from D to Z. D indicates the most clear, colorless diamonds and Z signifies diamonds that carry a noticeable yellow or brown tint.
The difference between each single grade is primarily unnoticeable. James Allen explains in their Diamond Color article: “Most people find it very difficult (if not impossible) to tell the difference from one color grade to another.” The difference in price can be significant, though.
Because of the minimal differences between color grades, we recommend reviewing the diamond yourself to ensure the diamond appears colorless. What you see with the naked eye is more important than the Color grade the diamond is given. You can often review diamonds up-close even online with advanced photography. You can also ask a diamond expert to help you evaluate a diamond’s Color.
Be sure the diamond also appears white in relation to its setting. A colorless G graded diamond will appear white in any setting: yellow gold, white gold, rose gold or platinum.
On the other hand, a K diamond will likely only appear white with a darker setting – yellow gold or rose gold. While K color diamonds have a noticeable tint, the contrast with the jewelry makes it appear clear and radiant.
For 4 Carat Diamonds, we recommend stones in the nearly colorless range of G to I. These diamonds appear colorless to the naked eye and will cost much less than those in the D to F range.
Remember that Diamond Cut is the most important element of a diamond’s beauty. When you have an exceptionally well-cut diamond it is harder it is to notice Color. We recommend spending more in the area of Diamond Cut than Diamond Color, no matter the carat weight.
How To Get The Best Value For a 4 Carat Diamond Ring
Our goal is to help you find the most exceptional 4 Carat Diamond at an excellent price. We want you to spend your budget where it will matter—and scale back in the areas that will go unnoticed.
Most importantly, we recommend reviewing every 4 Carat Diamond yourself or having an expert assist you.
You should also ensure that your diamond comes with a certificate from a reputable source like the GIA or AGS. If a seller is suggesting you purchase a diamond from a different grading entity, it’s best to steer clear, especially with 4 Carat Diamonds. No matter what their lab report claims, the actual quality of the diamond is far less than what the certificate states.
To ensure your 4 Carat Diamond is truly stunning, follow our experts’ recommendations:
- Shape: Select the Diamond Shape that’s most appealing to you and the wearer. Choose a setting that provides stability for your stone.
- Cut: Choose diamonds of an ideal cut or an Excellent grade on the GIA scale. An exceptionally cut diamond optimizes the brilliance and fire of the diamond more than any other factor.
- Clarity: Look for diamonds of either VS1 and VS2 Clarity grade. This will offer you the greatest value for what can be seen with the naked eye. Blemishes and inclusions are unnoticeable at these grades.
- Color: Consider diamonds in the nearly colorless range of G to I. These diamonds will appear clear to the naked eye and cost much less than diamonds in the D to F categories.
- Diamond Vendor: Purchase your diamond from a premier diamond seller like Abe Mor Diamonds, Brian Gavin Diamonds, James Allen and Blue Nile.
Engagement Ring Inspiration (Click a Ring for More Information)
How Big is a 4 Carat Diamond?
The size of a 4 carat diamond is approximately 10.1mm, or approximately 0.4 inches, across its surface (the diamond’s diameter). This is assuming the diamond is a round brilliant cut, as other diamond shapes can vary in diameter based on their shape and length to width ratio. Take a look at the graphic below to get an idea about the differences in size between shapes.
On average, a 4 carat diamond will have a diameter in the 10.1mm to 10.3mm range, based on how it’s cut. The diameter of a 4.25 carat diamond is approximately 10.43mm, while a 4.5 carat diamond will have a diameter of approximately 10.63mm.
Note that factors such as the diamond’s depth (the height of the diamond, measured from the top of the diamond to the culet) and its table (the flat facet on its surface), can affect the exact measurements of the diamond.
Our guide to diamond size and carat weight provides more information on how large a 4 carat diamond looks in comparison to other common carat weights.
Final Thoughts
Make the search for a 4 Carat Diamond Ring easier and less stressful by using our guide and reaching out to us for assistance. With our years of experience and having looked at thousands of diamonds, we can easily distinguish a luxurious, high-class 4 Carat Diamond from a less than outstanding choice.
We have helped many of our readers work directly with diamond importers and boutique jewelry designers. If you’re unsure about carat weight, we also have buying guides for a 3 Carat Diamond Ring and a 5 Carat Diamond Ring.
Reach out to us today and we can begin the complementary search process for you.
Here are more carat size topics to browse:
- How to read a diamond carat/size chart
- What does the average engagement ring cost in 2022?
- What is the price of a ½ carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a ¾ carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 1 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 1.5 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 2 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 2.5 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 3 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 5 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 6 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 7 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of an 8 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 9 carat diamond ring?
- What is the price of a 10 carat diamond ring?
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free International Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisals
- One free resizing within 60 days of purchase
- Free ring inscriptions
- Best-in-class high quality imagery of all diamonds in stock
- 24/7 Customer Service
- Best-in-class packaging
What we love about them:
- No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
- Lifetime Warranty
- Free Shipping
- Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
- Provide insurance appraisal
- One free resizing within the first year of purchase
- High quality images of about half of their diamonds
- 24/7 Customer Service
- 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
- Best in class fulfillment
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