How Much Is A 5 Carat Lab Grown Diamond: Complete Price Guide
If you’re considering a spectacular 5 carat diamond for an engagement ring or a statement piece, lab grown diamonds offer an excellent alternative to mined diamonds. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore everything you need to know about 5 carat lab grown diamonds, including pricing factors, benefits, and how to choose the perfect stone.
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5 Carat Lab Grown Diamond Price Range
A 5 carat lab grown diamond typically costs between $20,000 and $45,000, depending on various quality factors. This represents a significant saving compared to natural diamonds of the same size, which can cost anywhere from $100,000 to $250,000 or more.
At Emerson Fine Jewelry, we pride ourselves on offering exceptional value on lab grown diamonds of all sizes. Our 5 carat lab grown diamonds are carefully selected for their quality and brilliance, providing a perfect balance of size and value.
The price range can vary based on the diamond’s specifications, with factors like color, clarity, and cut grade having significant impacts on the final cost. For example, a 5 carat lab diamond with excellent cut, VS1 clarity, and G color might cost around $30,000, while a similar stone with VVS1 clarity and D color could be closer to $40,000 or more.
It’s worth noting that prices for lab grown diamonds have been trending downward as technology improves and production scales up, making these stunning gems more accessible than ever before.
Factors Affecting the Price of 5 Carat Lab Grown Diamonds
Several key factors influence the cost of a 5 carat lab grown diamond:
1. The 4Cs
Just like natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds are graded according to the 4Cs:
- Cut: Affects brilliance and can increase price by 10-20% for excellent vs. good cuts
- Color: D-F (colorless) diamonds command premium prices
- Clarity: Flawless or VVS grades significantly increase cost
- Carat: While we’re focusing on 5 carats, even small variations can affect price
2. Certification
Diamonds certified by reputable labs like IGI or GIA generally cost more but provide assurance of quality. At Emerson Fine Jewelry, all our lab grown diamonds come with recognized certification.
3. Growth Method
HPHT (High Pressure High Temperature) and CVD (Chemical Vapor Deposition) are the two main methods for creating lab diamonds. Depending on the specific characteristics, one method may produce more desirable results for certain colors or clarity grades.
4. Shape
Round brilliant diamonds typically cost more than fancy shapes like oval, cushion, or pear due to higher demand and more material loss during cutting.
5. Fluorescence
Strong fluorescence can sometimes reduce the price of a diamond, though its effect on appearance is subjective.
Lab Grown vs. Natural 5 Carat Diamonds: Price Comparison
The price difference between lab grown and natural diamonds becomes particularly dramatic at larger carat sizes like 5 carats:
- 5 Carat Lab Grown Diamond: $20,000 – $45,000
- 5 Carat Natural Diamond: $100,000 – $250,000+
This means you can save approximately 80-90% by choosing a lab grown diamond. For many clients at Emerson Fine Jewelry, this makes the difference between being able to afford a statement 5 carat piece or settling for a much smaller natural diamond.
It’s important to understand that lab grown diamonds are not imitations or simulants – they are real diamonds with identical physical, chemical, and optical properties to mined diamonds. The only difference is their origin. Lab diamonds are grown in controlled environments that replicate the natural diamond growing process.
This substantial price difference exists primarily because lab diamonds aren’t subject to the scarcity factors and extensive supply chain of mined diamonds, not because of any quality difference.
The Importance of Cut and Clarity in 5 Carat Diamonds
When purchasing a diamond as large as 5 carats, cut and clarity become particularly important considerations:
Cut: The Key to Brilliance
With 5 carat diamonds, excellent cut quality is essential. A poorly cut 5 carat diamond may appear lifeless despite its impressive size. The cut determines how light performs within the diamond, affecting its brilliance, fire, and scintillation. For a diamond of this size and investment, we recommend prioritizing excellent or ideal cut grades.
At Emerson Fine Jewelry, we can help you understand cut proportions and their impact on appearance, ensuring you choose a diamond that maximizes visual impact.
Clarity: More Visible in Larger Diamonds
Inclusions and blemishes are more noticeable in larger diamonds, making clarity especially important for 5 carat stones. While you don’t necessarily need flawless clarity (FL or IF), we typically recommend VS1 or better for diamonds of this size.
VS1 clarity ensures the diamond appears “eye-clean” (no visible inclusions to the naked eye) while maintaining reasonable value. Some SI1 diamonds may also be eye-clean, but careful inspection is required at the 5 carat size.
The beauty of lab grown diamonds is that you can often afford higher clarity grades than you could with natural diamonds at the same budget.
How Diamond Shape Affects the Cost of 5 Carat Lab Diamonds
The shape of a 5 carat lab grown diamond significantly impacts its price:
- Round Brilliant: Typically the most expensive, commanding a 20-30% premium over other shapes due to higher demand and more material waste during cutting.
- Oval, Cushion, and Radiant: These shapes often appear larger than their actual carat weight due to their elongated or spread-out proportions, potentially offering better value.
- Princess and Asscher: Usually priced 10-15% less than round brilliants while still offering excellent brilliance.
- Emerald and Marquise: These shapes can sometimes provide the best value, costing 15-25% less than rounds while offering unique aesthetics.
- Pear and Heart: The price varies based on demand but generally falls between round and emerald cuts.
Beyond price considerations, each shape creates a different aesthetic effect on the finger. Elongated shapes like marquise, oval, and pear can make fingers appear longer and more slender, while shapes like round and cushion offer timeless appeal.
At Emerson Fine Jewelry, we can help you explore different shapes and find the perfect balance between appearance and budget for your 5 carat lab grown diamond.
Tips for Buying a 5 Carat Lab Grown Diamond
Purchasing a 5 carat lab grown diamond is a significant investment. Here are our expert tips to help you make the best choice:
1. Prioritize Cut Quality
A 5 carat diamond with excellent cut quality will outshine a larger diamond with poor proportions. Don’t compromise on cut grade, as it’s the most important factor for brilliance.
2. Consider Color Carefully
With 5 carat diamonds, color becomes more noticeable. While D-F colors are premium, G-H colors offer excellent value while still appearing colorless in most settings, especially in yellow or rose gold.
3. Choose Clarity Strategically
VS1-VS2 clarity grades typically offer the best value for 5 carat diamonds, ensuring an eye-clean appearance without the premium of VVS or flawless grades.
4. Compare Multiple Options
Each diamond has a unique personality beyond its specifications. Compare several options within your parameters to find the one with the most appeal to your eye.
5. Consider the Setting
A diamond this size requires a secure, well-designed setting. Consider platinum or 18K gold for durability, and ensure prongs are properly proportioned to hold the stone securely.
6. Work with Experts
Partner with jewelers experienced in large diamonds. At Emerson Fine Jewelry, our experts can guide you through the selection process and help you understand the nuances of diamonds at this exceptional size.
7. Request Videos and Images
For online purchases, request videos under different lighting conditions to assess performance. Better yet, visit us in Redlands, CA to see your options in person.
Choosing a lab grown diamond at this impressive 5 carat size allows you to enjoy remarkable beauty and presence while making a more sustainable and budget-friendly choice compared to mined diamonds.
Conclusion
A 5 carat lab grown diamond represents an outstanding combination of impressive size and reasonable value. With prices ranging from $20,000 to $45,000 depending on quality factors, these stunning gems offer the same beauty and durability as natural diamonds at a fraction of the cost.
Whether you’re considering a statement engagement ring or a magnificent jewelry piece, a 5 carat lab grown diamond delivers exceptional impact. At Emerson Fine Jewelry, we’re passionate about helping our clients find their perfect diamond match, regardless of size or budget.
Visit our Redlands, CA jewelry store to explore our collection of lab grown diamonds and discover the perfect 5 carat gem for your needs. Our expert staff can guide you through every aspect of your purchase, ensuring you select a diamond that will be treasured for generations.