1.5 Carat Diamond Ring Buying Guide (8 Big Questions to Ask)

Last Updated on February 5, 2024 by Juli "Jewels" Church

If you're looking for a 1.5 carat diamond engagement ring, you've come to the right place.

In this Learning Jewelry guide, you'll learn:

  • What actually is a 1.5 carat diamond ring?
  • If size and weight matter in cost when buying a 1.5 carat diamond ring
  • How big 1.5 carat diamond rings are
  • And our recommended picks to start your search
1.5 carat diamond engagement ring buying guide

This is an excellent size for a diamond engagement ring.

Whether a solitaire is your taste, or if you like some extra sparkle with side stones or melee stones, we've got all the info you'll need when picking out your 1.5 carat diamond ring. 

Best Places to Buy a 1.5-Carat Diamond Ring?

This might surprise you, but online stores have come a LONG way providing better quality diamonds at better prices (nearly 20% cheaper in some cases).

Specifically, stores like James Allen and Blue Nile  have 360 degree HD cameras. That said, here's my list for 1.5 carat diamond rings.

  1. James Allen (our top pick)
  2. Blue Nile (biggest setting selection)
  3. Whiteflash (best diamond cuts)
  4. Helzberg (best physical store)
  5. Leibish and Co (best fancy colored diamonds)
  6. Brilliant Earth (lab created fancy colored diamonds)

Also, in case you're curious, we've also reviewed other popular carat weights for diamonds rings. See below:

What is a 1.5-Carat Diamond Engagement Ring?

A 1.5 carat diamond ring can be referred to in one of two fashions.

Sometimes the stone itself is 1.5 carat weight, and other times, the stones in the whole ring togethre total 1.5 carat weight (CTTW).

A diamond of this weight makes a great choice for someone who is wanting a little more than a 1 carat diamond, but may not be able to afford a 2-carat diamond ring. 

1.5 carat round diamond ring

You might not know the difference in carat weights, or you may not know exactly what a carat weight is. But that's okay. No need to look it up, because we've got every bit of information you'll need to know in this buying guide. 

Carat vs Karat

In jewelry land, you'll hear the word carat pretty often. However, there are two kinds of carats and they are often confused. Gold metals are weighed in karat gold weight.

All genuine gold diamond rings should be stamped on the inside of the ring shank (band) with a number such as 14. 14 karat gold has been seen stamped as 14K, 14KT, or 14kt.

All of them mean the same thing. The piece is 14/24 parts pure gold. The other 12 parts are made with various metals called alloy. 

But that's not the carats we're talking about today. Today, we're talking about carat weight in reference to diamond weight. Diamond carats are the measurement in which all diamonds are measured. One carat weighs about 200 milligrams.

They are also measured as a carat point system, where each diamond carat equals 1/100 points.

Think about them in terms of pennies. 100 pennies equals a dollar. 100 carat points equal 1 carat. So, for a 1.5 carat diamond ring, it could be represented as 1.50 carat points. 

Does Size or Weight Matter More?

More often than not, diamond carats are thought of as a size, rather than a diamond weight. This creates a lot of confusion in diamond buying world. Whole diamond carat weights available generally come in weights such as half-carat, quarter, three-fourths, one-third, 1 carat, 1.5 carat, 2 carat, and so on. 

Diamond carat weights aren't always in these whole sizes though. At some fine jewelry stores you can find a quality diamond with its weight right down to the exact carat point.

1.5 Carat Ring vs 1.4 Carat Ring

Generally, if the carat points are within 10 points in comparison, the difference between the visible sizes are very miniscule.

Check out our comparison below of a 1.40 carat diamond and a 1.5 carat diamond. Notice how the price differs.

1.5 carat vs 1.4 carat diamond ring comparison (3)

1.50-Carat Round Diamond
(Pictured Left)

  • G Color Grade 
  • SI1 Clarity
  • $8,140

1.40-Carat Round Diamond
(Pictured Right)

  • G Color Grade 
  • SI1 Clarity
  • $7,620

Can you tell the difference?

I can't.

And while a 1.4 carat diamond is technically not considered a 1 1/2 carat diamond, a 1.43 is. Magic numbers (.25, .30, .50, .75, 1, 1.5, 2) carat weights can go either .7 carat points up or down. Diamonds weighing 1.43 to 1.57 are all classified as one and a half carat diamond weight. 

Often times those extra points to 1.5 can't even be seen. The extra weight could be in the pavilion of the diamond, which you wouldn't see anyway. Why pay an extra $500 for no visible difference?

For this reason, many famous retailers only display diamonds in magic number form, so they can charge you more for a 1 1/2 carat diamond instead of what you should be paying for a 1.43 diamond. 

Of course keep in mind that this isn't true just based on diamond carat weight.

Carat weight is only 1 out of the 4Cs, which is the scale in which all loose diamonds are measured by.

Other factors such as diamond clarity, diamond cut, and diamond color determine the pricing too. But for sake of confusion, we'll just say that both these pictures have all the same characteristics except in carat point weight. 

When you purchase a loose diamond, the carat points will tell you the exact weight. However, if you are purchasing a diamond wedding ring as a whole piece, you might have to do a bit of digging to find the exact carat point weight of both the center stone and side stones. 

1.5-Carat Diamond Center Stone

While 1.5 carat stones aren't as rare as our 2 carat stones, they are still on the higher side of pricing. You are able to find great deals on the different 1.5 carat loose diamonds, but you'll have to look under the diamond specifications. Sometimes diamond prices are lower due to a poorly cut shape or maybe has a clarity grade such as SI1 clarity . 

A lot of places will tell you the total carat weight of rings that are already assembled, so if they don't disclose the information, you'll want to ask them. 

It would be also good to consider that a heavier center stone would also make the ring prone to spinning on the wearer's finger, so make sure that you've got the size right and to consider this tendency when choosing a settings and ring shanks.

1.5 Carat Diamond Total Diamond Weight

Total diamond weights are usually labeled as TDW under diamond specifications. When referring to a 1.5 carat diamond engagement ring, you'll see it labeled as 1.5 TDW or 1 1/2 TDW. 

With total diamond weights, they are focused on the entirety of the ring, not just the diamond center stone. You can have all sorts of different diamond shapes within a diamond ring. An example would be if a diamond ring had a 1 carat princess cut diamond, but all the other different diamonds have a carat weight of a 1/2 carat. Your TDW is 1.5 carats. 

When looking at total diamond weights, the prices are going to be less expensive than a 1.5 carat loose diamond. Most of the pricing with a diamond ring comes from the center stone and its diamond grading.

Those smaller stones don't necessarily need a high clarity because you generally can't see any inclusions in small stones with the naked eye. 

So, for the sake of confusion, let's just refer to this article as a guide to buying a 1.5 carat center stone weight. 

How Much Does a 1.5-Carat Diamond Ring Cost?

We've graced over it a little bit, but the cost of a 1.5 carat diamond ring differs vastly on numerous factors. Thankfully, we have all the info here for you to consider when making a purchase. Price factors when buying diamond rings include the following: 

  • Diamond Cut
  • Diamond Clarity
  • Diamond Color
  • Diamond Shape
  • Diamond Brand
  • Diamond Setting
  • Side diamonds

Cut

The phrase "diamond cut" is generally referred to as both the craftsmanship of the diamond and the shape of the diamond. Since shape is a different factor in our list, let's talk a bit about craftsmanship. 

When we refer to the craftsmanship of the ring, we're talking about the way the diamond has been faceted, shaped, and polished. Diamond cut grades range from poorly cut to excellent cut or ideal cut. 

A "good cut" loose diamond is going to be significantly less than an "ideal cut" loose diamond. An ideal cut diamond is the optimal choice for diamond cuts.

This ensures that the proportions of the diamond are exact and symmetrical, which allows for the best brilliance, balance, and durability. Ideal cut diamonds were actually developed by Marcel Tolkowsky.

The Tolkowsky family are renown diamond cutters who have been developing diamonds since the 1800s. Tolkowsky also invented the round brilliant diamond, which is the most popular shape of diamond to date. 

It is so important not to sacrifice the diamond cut when purchasing a 1.5 carat diamond. The cut is what makes the diamond look so beautiful. Always remember, the best diamond is a diamond with a high quality or excellent cut. 

Clarity

Clarity is an important factor that helps determine the price of a 1.5-carat diamond ring. All diamonds follow a clarity scale that ranges from included to flawless. While flawless diamonds are extremely beautiful, they are all extremely expensive. Not everyone has that kind of money. 

The good news is, you don't have to have a flawless diamond to have a good quality diamond. All natural diamonds (as opposed to lab created diamonds) have bits of minerals and crystals in them called inclusions.

Diamond inclusions come in a variety of different designs, but the ones you really need to watch out for are the dark ones. These can impede the diamonds' brilliance, sparkle, and fire. 

The clarity scale that diamonds go by comes from the GIA, also known as the Gemological Institute of America. The diamond clarity scale has 11 grades. 

I1, I2, and I3 clarity grades are known as included. This means the inclusions within this diamond grade are easily visible under 10x magnification and can be seen with the naked eye. 

SI1 and SI2 clarity grades are known as slightly included. This means the inclusions within this diamond are visible under 10x magnification, but harder to see with the naked eye. It doesn't mean that you can't see inclusions, but you'll find them if you're looking for them.

VS1 and VS2 clarity grades stand for very slightly included. A diamond has this grade when inclusions are hard to find under 10x magnification. You shouldn't be able to see them without the magnification. Any inclusions seen are difficult to see and go unnoticed. 

The next set of clarity grades are the grades of VVS1 and VVS2. A diamond with VVS1 or VVS2 grades means that it is very, very slightly included (learn more about VVS clarity grades here). When looking under 10x magnification, even the most skilled of jewelers have a time trying to find the inclusions. That's one of the reasons why VVS diamonds are so expensive.

Internally flawless diamond clarity means that there are no inclusions embedded in the diamond. There may be light blemishes, but you couldn't see them with the naked eye, and they are incredibly difficult to find. 

And of course, lastly, we have flawless diamonds. A clarity grade of F is the best visually clear diamond you can get. A 1.5 carat diamond with a clarity grade of flawless costs over $20, 000 from James Allen and looks like this: 

1.5 carat diamond flawless clarity

Color

Diamond color is another one of the 4Cs of diamond grading. The main color grading scale on a diamond goes from the letter D-K, but some places will go further down the alphabet. Generally, anything beyond a K color grade is called a fancy color diamond, which means the color is intentional. 

1. D, E, F,= Colorless Grade

Colorless diamonds are the rarest grade of diamond color a diamond can possess. A D color grade is going to be the top of the scale. There's a very minimal difference between the three grades within colorless. You really have to go down 2 color grades to notice a difference. 

2. G, H, I, J= Near Colorless Grade

Near colorless diamonds are an excellent grade when buying diamond jewelry. G color grades are at the head of the near colorless category. Honestly, most people don't need completely colorless diamond because the differences between the two are minute. Choosing a near colorless grade of diamond color will undoubtedly save you in cost. 

Here we have an H color graded diamond and an G color graded diamond from James Allen. Do you notice the difference?

1.5 carat h color vs 1.5 carat ring g color ring

If you answered yes, you can probably agree it's extremely subtle. And if you can't, well there's the point. If you're trying to keep cost down, you could sacrifice a colorless grade for a near colorless graded diamond and save as much as $1,000 bucks. 

3. K, L-Z= Faint Yellow Grade and Fancy Color Grade

A K color grade will have your diamond look a faint yellow color. A K color grade won't look too bad as a solitaire, but if it has other side stones, it'll look more yellow.

Another great tip with lower grades of diamond color is to consider the ring setting. If you are setting the diamond in white gold, you'll want a higher color grade. However, if you're setting the diamond in yellow gold, it won't look near as yellow. 

Shape

Diamond shape (also known as cut) has a big impact on price when purchasing a 1.5 carat diamond ring. The round brilliant cut is the most expensive cut on the market.

Round brilliant diamond shapes are best known for the exceptional fire, brilliance, and scintillation within the cut. It was also developed by the Tolkowsky family. 

70% of all diamonds purchased are of the round diamond. All other diamond shapes are referred to as fancy shapes or fancy cuts.

But, just because the most expensive cut is the one purchased the most doesn't mean you have to pay a lot to get a good cut. The cushion cut is one of the most affordable cuts on the chart and happens to be the third most popular diamond shape. 


There are all sorts of reasons why you might choose a certain diamond shape. Perhaps you like the way the marquise diamond elongates your fingers, making them look slender and graceful.

Or maybe you prefer the vintage emerald cut and the way the edges step down like glass stairs. One of the best parts about choosing your diamond shape is that there are so many to choose from to reflection your personal style. 

Brand

There are many different brands of diamond designers. Some brands are fine jewelry distributors, while others are actually diamond cutters. Leo and Tolkowsky diamonds come from a long line of diamond cutters, where as Neil Lane Designs and Vera Wang are just the designs of the jewelry. 

To get a quality diamond, you don't have to go name brand, especially if it is just a name. You should always do your research when thinking of purchasing from a branded design or diamond. Unless they have a unique way of cutting, often times an unbranded diamond will be just as good. 

Now, if you head on over to James Allen or Blue Nile, you'll find many unbranded diamonds that have high diamond grades and ideal cuts.

You don't need to go brand name to own a beautiful 1.5 carat diamond ring. But if you really like a certain design and have to have it, go for it! We just want you to love the ring your buy. 

Setting

Another factor that comes into play when determining the cost of a 1.5 carat diamond ring is the metal in which the diamond is set in. The price of gold remains the same whether the ring is made of yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold. 

With gold, the price will increase based on the amount of karat gold you are wanting. I recommend you stay at 14kt gold for rings due to the fact that 18k is less durable because of the softness of the gold.

18K gold is more expensive and more fragile. We bang our hands on stuff often enough without even noticing. It's just the result of how often we use our hands. 

But say you decide to forego gold altogether and choose another metal like platinum. Platinum jewelry has become more popular due to its durability. While platinum jewelry is heavier than gold, it is harder and withstand more day to day wear. But it's also more expensive than gold. 

Check out this ring in both gold and platinum. Notice the price difference is $(450). However, many believe having a diamond ring in this metal is well-worth it. 

Although I really don't recommend it and it's hard to find, sometimes you'll find diamonds set in sterling silver. I definitely don't think you should ever get a 1.5 carat diamond set in sterling silver. The upkeep for silver is significantly more difficult than gold or platinum. Moisture is the enemy to sterling silver. It's great for gemstone jewelry, but for a diamond of this quality, setting it in sterling silver would be a disrespect to the diamond. 

Not only could the setting of the metal impact the overall cost of your 1.5 carat diamond ring, but the actual setting style can affect it too. 

Engagement rings come in two main settings, cathedral and Tiffany style. The best example of these types of settings are within a solitaire. Because cathedral settings have more gold in it, they'll cost more than their Tiffany-style counterparts. 

Pave settings will cost more because of all the extra diamond work and the care and time it takes to set each tiny diamond. Bezel settings are more expensive as well due to the craftsmanship of the metal as it show much more. Check out all these styles below!

Other Stones

If you are opting out of a traditional solitaire engagement ring, and choosing a diamond ring that has more than one diamond, or maybe even gemstones.

Those gemstones and diamonds are each going to have their own grades that will impact the price. There are so many options to really personalize a style by adding other stones. But, they will most definitely cost more. 

Pave settings cost more than most settings because all of the diamond in the band. Each individual diamond has to have its own characteristics determined by the 4Cs. Thankfully, you don't need high characteristics with a diamond that small, so the cost isn't horribly outrageous. 

You've probably figured out by now that the price of a 1.5 carat diamond ring is dependent a number of different factors. But the most important factors to consider are the 4Cs. 

In my opinion, you absolutely cannot sacrifice a well-cut diamond. The cut is the foundation of a diamond's beauty and if you sacrifice that for better color or clarity, you risk having a diamond that will not last. 

Taking into consideration the average of most 1.5 carat diamond rings, you can find them on the market between $8000 to $35,000. 

Where to Buy a 1.5 Carat Diamond Ring

The best place to purchase a 1.5 carat diamond engagement ring is online.

Most retail stores don't carry loose diamonds and some don't even carry over 1 carat diamonds in store.

For many years, online locations were thought of as risky to order such a delicate purchase without laying eyes on it first. 

Thankfully, the diamond gods have smiled upon us and blessed us with online jewelers such as James Allen and Blue Nile. Both of these online stores are reputable and provide quality jewelry. 

Each of these stores have a library of loose diamonds and gemstones to pick from. You can literally pick out what clarity and color grade you want your diamond to be. Further than that, you can also "set" the stone into fine jewelry settings. 

This allows you to really get a grasp on how much a 1.5 carat diamond ring costs without ever having to step foot into a jewelry store with pushy salespeople just trying to meet their sales goals for the day.

Most people can agree that the jewelry stores are all about the numbers game. But with online distributors like Blue Nile and James Allen, no one is coercing you to buy anything. You can take all the time you need. 

How Big is a 1.5-Carat Diamond Ring?

"Big" is really a relevant term when it comes to diamonds, or any gemstones for that matter. Remember that the amount of carats in a diamond ring is not relevant to the actual size of the diamond, but only measures weight. 

However it could be said that most people consider a large diamond to be over a carat. Then again, if you're a celebrity who is used to spending hundreds of thousands on diamond jewelry, a one carat diamond is probably going to be very small to you. 

The size of a 1.5 carat diamond ring also depends on the setting itself. Any diamond in any solitaire setting will look small simply because there is only one stone set in the center of a metal band. Additionally, if you have larger fingers, a thin Tiffany-style solitaire is going to look very small. 

Diamond shape can also make you feel as if your diamond is bigger than it is. Certain fancy shapes make diamonds of the same carat weight look bigger than others due to the larger surface area of the table of the diamond.

Take a look at some of these different diamond shapes of a 1.5 carat diamond solitaire ring.

They're all the same carat weight, but which do you think is the biggest?

different 1.5 carat diamond ring cuts

So, how big is a 1.5 carat diamond ring? As big as you want it to be!

What's a 1.5-Carat Diamond Ring Worth to Sell?

Unfortunately, diamond rings and jewelry in general doesn't resell very well, unless they are heirloom pieces.

But heirloom jewelry usually has been passed down from generation to generation, which is what makes it so valuable. Certain cuts and jewels that have not been as common on the market can also be worth more. 

But overall, most modern 1.5 carat diamond rings only retain 30%-70% of their retail value. Now that doesn't mean that you can't get a good deal, just know it rarely is ever worth the actual price you purchased it for. 

Because of this fact, most people save their diamond ring after they've upgraded to give to children as an inheritance piece. Some people will actually have the stones removed from the setting and used to create another piece of fine jewelry whether it be another ring, or perhaps a pendant. 

So, if you are thinking about purchasing jewelry to resell, I'd advise you to think again. Jewelry is supposed to be a personal and intimate expression rather than a monetary investment.

You'll get so much more out of the personal value of a diamond ring rather than a physical value. 

But if you still aren't convinced, you should make sure you know what your piece is worth before going out and have realistic expectations when selling. 

How to Get the Most Value Out of Your 1.5-Carat Diamond Ring

If you want the most value out of a 1.5 carat diamond ring, make sure to take all of the factors we've talked about when purchasing your ring. The bottom line is that the best diamond ring is a graded diamond ring. 

You should make sure you know the characteristics of your loose diamonds and diamond rings. Knowing the grade will help you determine the best value of your 1.5 carat diamond.

Never sacrifice diamond cut, as it serves as the entire base of the durability and craftsmanship of your ring. 

I do recommend that you get a certification for your diamond ring by the GIA ,AGS, or IGI. A GemEx certification can measure the brilliance and light within a diamond.

Read Also: What're the differences between GIA, AGS, and others?

Having a certification ensures that your 1.5 carat diamond ring is 100% genuine and true to all of its proclaimed specifications. 

Always get everything in writing when purchasing a 1.5 carat diamond ring. This will help you avoid places trying to cheat you out of your money or take advantage of you.

Keep an eye out on return policies for places you're thinking about buying from. Consider adding any warranties or any guarantees store might say can help you. 

Final Thoughts On Buying a 1.5-Carat Diamond Ring

Hopefully now you've reached the end of this guide feeling more confident in purchasing the perfect 1.5 carat diamond ring. You now know all of the things to check for when buying your diamond.

You know that all 1.5 carat diamond rings are not the same, and how each individual part of the ring is priced based on a number of characteristics. 

I hope you've enjoyed this buying guide and leave this page feeling a bit like a diamond expert yourself.

Our hope is that by reading our comprehensive guides, we'll have answered all of the questions you might have before making such an important purchase.

So go forth now, with your new diamond education in tow, and we wish you happy ring hunting! 

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