How much is a 5 carat diamond is a question lots of people ask because diamonds this size are pretty big and special.
If you’re curious about how much a diamond this big actually costs, you’re in the right place.
➡ In this article:
We’ll clearly explain the real cost of a 5 carat diamond in dollars, the reasons behind the price differences, and what affects the value of these diamonds.
➡ You’ll also find:
Examples of famous 5 carat diamonds
➡ By the end:
You’ll understand exactly why a diamond of this size costs what it does, and if it makes sense for you.
Factors Determining the Cost of a 5 Carat Diamond
When looking at a 5 carat diamond, you might notice prices can be very different—some are extremely expensive, while others cost less. Why is this?
There are a few important things that determine how much is a 5 carat diamond is worth.
1. Cut Quality
Think of cut quality like how neatly a puzzle fits together. A diamond with a good cut sparkles a lot because it reflects light better.
Diamonds with excellent cuts cost more, because they’re brighter and more beautiful.
A poorly cut diamond might be bigger, but it won’t shine as much, making it worth less.
2. Color and Clarity Grades
Diamonds come in different colors, even though they mostly look clear.
Diamonds graded “D” are totally clear, while those graded closer to “Z” have a yellowish tint.
A 5 carat diamond closer to the “D” grade is more expensive because clear diamonds are rarer.
Clarity means how many tiny imperfections or flaws the diamond has. Diamonds with fewer flaws cost more.
For example:
A diamond marked “Flawless” or “Internally Flawless” is very rare and costs a lot more than one marked “Slightly Included,” where you might see tiny flaws.
3. Diamond Shape
The shape of a diamond can also change its price.
Round diamonds usually cost the most because cutting them wastes more of the rough diamond.
Other shapes, like oval or cushion cuts, waste less diamond, making them less expensive—even though they’re just as beautiful.
4. Certification
Buying a diamond with a certificate (like from GIA or AGS) is like buying something with proof it’s real.
Certified diamonds cost more because you know exactly what you’re getting.
Without a certificate, you might pay less, but you won’t be sure about the diamond’s true quality.
Each of these factors plays a part in deciding the final price of a 5 carat diamond.
Knowing about them helps you understand why prices can differ so much and helps you choose wisely.
5 Carat Diamond Price Range: Natural vs. Lab-Grown
A five-carat diamond is extremely large and rare, below is an overview of how much how much is a 5 carat siamond typically costs today, broken down by natural vs lab-grown stones and by quality level (mid-tier versus high-end quality).
We’ll use examples from reputable retailers (Blue Nile, James Allen, Whiteflash) to illustrate current price ranges.
Natural 5 Carat Diamonds (Mined Stones)
Natural five-carat diamonds are very expensive.
Prices range tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars, depending on quality
In general, better color, higher clarity, and excellent cut (“high quality” diamonds) command far higher prices than stones with visible inclusions or tint (“mid-tier” quality).
Our research shows that well-cut 5 ct diamonds can range from about $57,000 (lower color/clarity) up to $190,000 (fine color/clarity)
Below are typical price ranges:
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Mid-Tier Quality (Good, but not top-tier):
A 5-carat diamond with moderate color and clarity (e.g. around J–K color, SI clarity) might cost in the $50,000–$70,000 range.
➡ For instance:
Earlier, a 5.00 ct J color, SI1 clarity round diamond was listed for about $59,450 on James Allen
Similarly, Blue Nile had a 5.00 ct K color, VS2 clarity diamond around $57,000
But these two diamonds are not available now – they may be available later – 👇
Check if it has been made available again
Check if it has been made available again
Diamonds at this price have noticeable color or inclusions, but you can still get a big, eye-catching stone.
⬇ PRO Important Tips:
Experts caution that $50k is about the minimum for any 5-carat diamond, and at that level the gem will likely have lower color (I–K) and SI clarity
In the $60,000–$100,000 budget, however, you should be able to find a beautiful 5-carat with a nice balance of color, clarity and cut.
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High-Quality (Exceptional):
If you want a 5-carat diamond that is colorless (D–F color), with very high clarity (VVS or VS) and excellent cut, be prepared to spend well into six figures.
Such a stone can easily cost $150,000 or more.
➡ For instance:
By checking James Allen’s website, here are three real examples of available 5-carat diamonds (prices as of this writing):
$103,270 – GIA Certified 5.00 Carat Round Diamond (G Color, SI1 Clarity, Excellent Cut) 👇
$125,360 – GIA Certified 5.00 Carat Round Diamond (F Color, SI1 Clarity, Excellent Cut) 👇
$144,160 – GIA Certified 5.00 Carat Round Diamond (D Color, VS2 Clarity, Excellent Cut) 👇
On Blue Nile’s website, we found only one 5-carat diamond currently available (as of this writing):
$113,300 – GIA Certified 5.00 Carat Radiant Cut Diamond (H Color, VS2 Clarity) 👇
But Blue Nile recently listed a 5.26 ct F color, VS1 clarity diamond for about $212,830 👇
Also, Whiteflash diamond online store notes that a realistic budget for an “exceptional” 5 ct diamond with great sparkle and decent color/clarity is around $145,000
It’s not unusual for top-tier 5-carat gems to approach $200K or higher – a well-cut F color, VVS1 clarity stone can top $190,000
Truly “perfect” five-carat diamonds – say D color and flawless – are extremely rare and can be even more expensive.
Lab-Grown 5 Carat Diamonds
Lab-grown diamonds have the same physical properties as natural diamonds, but they cost a fraction of the price due to differences in how they are sourced.
A 5 carat lab-created diamond is dramatically cheaper than its mined equivalent
That said, quality still affects the price among lab stones (color, clarity, and cut matter here as well), but even the very best lab diamonds tend to cost only tens of thousands, not hundreds of thousands.
Here are typical price ranges for lab-grown 5ct diamonds today:
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Mid-Tier Lab-Grown:
Many 5-carat lab diamonds with slightly lower grades (e.g. near-colorless G–I color or small inclusions that are hard to see) are often under $10,000.
➡ Real example:
Blue Nile, had a 5.00 ct lab-grown D color, VS1 clarity stone priced at roughly $12,820 (a price point unheard of for a natural D/VS1 of this size!) 👇
Even lab diamonds with higher colors in the F–G range and VS clarity can be found around the mid-four-figure to low five-figure mark.
In summary, a lab-grown five-carat that’s white and eye-clean might run anywhere from around $5,000 up to the low tens-of-thousands, making them 80–90% less expensive than comparable natural diamonds.
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High-Quality Lab-Grown:
Even the best quality lab-grown 5 carat diamonds – those with D to F color and very high clarity (VVS) – are generally in the $10,000 to $20,000 range.
This is still a hefty sum, but it’s a small fraction of what a mined diamond of the same size and quality would cost.
➡ Real example:
James Allen similarly listed a 5.00 ct E color, VVS1 lab-grown diamond at roughly $13,000 👇
These represent top-tier lab stones with superb color and clarity.
Even at the very high end (say, a flawless lab-grown 5ct), prices would typically be under $25K in today’s market.
Famous Examples of 5 Carat Diamonds and Their Values
When we talk about 5-carat diamonds, you might think of famous people and big auctions.
Sometimes, seeing famous diamonds helps us understand better how much is a 5 carat diamond really worth.
Here are some real-life examples to show just how valuable these diamonds can be.
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Notable Examples from Auctions or Celebrity Purchases
1. Jennifer Lopez’s Engagement Ring
Ben Affleck proposed to Jennifer Lopez with a beautiful 6.1-carat pink diamond ring worth about $2.5 million.
Even though it’s slightly bigger than 5 carats, it gives us an idea of how expensive special colored diamonds can be.
2. Beyoncé’s Engagement Ring
Jay-Z proposed to Beyoncé with an impressive 18-carat diamond ring designed by the renowned jeweler, Lorraine Schwartz, worth around $5 million.
While much larger than 5 carats, it shows how size and fame can affect diamond value significantly.
3. Auctioned Diamonds at Christie’s and Sotheby’s
At famous auctions, high-quality 5-carat diamonds have sold for anywhere from $200,000 to more than a million dollars, depending on their rarity, color, and clarity.
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How These Real-Life Examples Affect Pricing Expectations?
These examples help people understand why 5-carat diamonds cost so much:
1. Celebrity Effect:
When famous people buy big diamonds, it makes those diamonds even more desirable.
This raises expectations and can sometimes increase prices because many people want something similar.
2. Special Colors and Quality:
Diamonds with unique colors (like pink, blue, or yellow) or exceptional clarity can cost much more than regular diamonds.
This is why Jennifer Lopez’s pink diamond is so valuable.
3. Rarity and Demand:
Famous auctions show that rare, high-quality diamonds are very desirable.
When people see how much others pay at auctions, they start to think that all large diamonds should be expensive, making prices stay high.
In short, famous diamonds teach us that a diamond’s value doesn’t just come from its size, it also comes from who’s owned it, how rare it is, and how special it looks.
These examples help us see why prices can vary so widely.
Tips for Buying a 5 Carat Diamond Wisely
A 5 carat diamond is a big and expensive choice, so it’s important to know how to pick wisely.
Here’s how to get the best diamond you can afford and where to safely buy one online.
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How to Get the Best Quality Within Your Budget?
1. Choose the Right Color:
Diamonds don’t have to be perfectly colorless (graded D) to look great.
Picking one slightly lower on the color scale, like G or H, can save you thousands without noticing a big difference in appearance.
2. Look for “Eye-Clean” Diamonds:
You don’t need a perfect clarity rating like “Flawless.”
A diamond graded VS2 or SI1 can still look great because tiny flaws won’t be noticeable unless viewed closely under a magnifying glass.
3. Consider Different Shapes:
Round diamonds are the most expensive.
Shapes like oval, cushion, or pear are beautiful too and often cost less.
This lets you get a larger-looking diamond for the same money.
4. Think About Lab-Grown Diamonds:
If your budget is tight, consider a lab-grown diamond.
They look identical to natural ones but can cost up to 80% less.
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Trusted Places to Purchase Safely (Online Stores)
Here are three trusted online diamond stores known for quality and fair prices:
1. James Allen
Known for clear, detailed pictures and visuals that let you examine diamonds closely online.
They also offer good customer service and a wide selection of certified diamonds.
2. Blue Nile
A trusted store with lots of choices and competitive prices.
They provide clear grading certificates from reliable labs like GIA, so you always know what you’re getting.
3. Whiteflash
Famous for their high-quality diamonds, especially those with superior cuts that make diamonds sparkle brightly.
Their diamonds usually come with thorough certifications and great customer service.
For more helpful details, you can check out our article reviewing the best diamond stores here: 👇
Best Places to Buy Diamonds and Engagement Rings in 2025
Choosing a big diamond like a 5-carat stone carefully means you can find something that fits your budget and looks beautiful too.
Buying from trusted online stores ensures you’re getting exactly what you pay for.
Conclusion: Key Points About How Much Is a 5 Carat Diamond
Understanding clearly how much is a 5 carat diamond depends on many factors, including quality, type, and the place you buy from.
Here’s what you should remember about buying a 5 carat diamond:
- Prices Vary Greatly: A natural 5-carat diamond can cost anywhere from around $50,000 to over $200,000 depending on quality.
- Lab-grown Diamonds Cost Less: Lab-created 5-carat diamonds offer big savings, usually costing between $7,000 to $20,000.
- Quality Matters: Factors like cut, color, clarity, and shape significantly affect the diamond’s value.
- Shop Smart: Choose trusted online stores like James Allen, Blue Nile, or Whiteflash, and consider slightly lower grades to save money without sacrificing appearance.
Buying a diamond this size is a big decision, but understanding these points will help you make the best choice for your budget and happiness.
