Natural Diamond · buyer-reported prices · updated September 2026
Natural Diamond Engagement Ring Cost: 504 Real Prices
People who bought a natural diamond engagement ring paid a median of $7,600 across 504 purchases, and half paid between $3,000 and $16,500. That is above the $2,250 median for every engagement ring here. The median center stone weighed 1.5 ct.
$7,600median natural diamond ring, 504 purchases
$3,000–$16,500middle half of prices
1.5 ctmedian center stone (339 stated weights)
$10,275median price per carat of a loose stone, 2026
19%of buyers who named the stone chose it
Natural diamond ring prices by carat
Each row takes the natural diamond rings whose center stone fell in that weight band.
| Center stone weight | Rings | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 0.5 ct | 19 | $650 | $400 to $1,400 |
| 0.5 to 0.99 ct | 68 | $2,950 | $1,400 to $4,400 |
| 1 to 1.49 ct | 77 | $6,000 | $4,000 to $8,300 |
| 1.5 to 1.99 ct | 59 | $11,500 | $7,000 to $15,500 |
| 2 to 2.49 ct | 43 | $17,000 | $11,500 to $25,000 |
| 2.5 to 2.99 ct | 26 | $25,500 | $18,000 to $30,000 |
| 3 to 3.99 ct | 35 | $34,000 | $20,000 to $49,000 |
| 4 ct and up | 12 | $50,500 | $32,000 to $98,000 |
Price per carat by year
A loose natural diamond cost a median $9,617 per carat in 2023 and $10,275 in 2026: the price per carat rose. Only buyers who gave the stone's own price and weight are counted.
| Year bought | Loose stones | Median price per carat |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 8 | $9,617 |
| 2024 | 19 | $4,600 |
| 2025 | 16 | $4,435 |
| 2026 | 6 | $10,275 |
Natural diamond ring prices by year
| Year bought | Rings | Median ring | Middle half | Median carat |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 5 | $15,100 | $11,500 to $22,000 | 1.53 ct |
| 2018 | 5 | $2,000 | $1,750 to $10,000 | – |
| 2019 | 5 | $10,000 | $6,650 to $13,000 | – |
| 2020 | 6 | $18,250 | $7,100 to $30,000 | 2.2 ct |
| 2021 | 8 | $8,150 | $3,500 to $16,000 | 1.2 ct |
| 2022 | 18 | $8,500 | $4,699 to $17,100 | 1.68 ct |
| 2023 | 19 | $14,000 | $8,000 to $23,000 | 1.6 ct |
| 2024 | 24 | $6,975 | $2,000 to $15,000 | 1.5 ct |
| 2025 | 27 | $6,000 | $3,500 to $29,000 | 1.5 ct |
| 2026 | 22 | $6,750 | $3,800 to $20,000 | 2 ct |
The year is the one the buyer named, or the year they wrote when the purchase was recent.
Shapes and metals
Round was the most common shape among the 177 natural diamond rings that named one.
Metal, among the 153 that named it:
Where natural diamond rings were bought
| Where the ring came from | Rings | Median | Middle half |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-owned, estate and pawn | 42 | $1,148 | $400 to $3,200 |
| Independent local jewelers | 36 | $8,150 | $4,400 to $16,500 |
| Custom makers | 35 | $6,800 | $3,500 to $12,000 |
| Online jewelers | 28 | $9,000 | $3,800 to $20,000 |
| Costco and warehouse clubs | 26 | $5,000 | $3,500 to $7,000 |
| Luxury houses | 16 | $28,500 | $11,000 to $55,000 |
| Mall and chain stores | 12 | $3,250 | $2,000 to $6,000 |
| Diamond districts | 10 | $12,000 | $4,000 to $22,000 |
| Amazon, eBay and other marketplaces | 7 | $305 | $263 to $1,000 |
Resale and regret
Sellers of natural diamond rings and stones got back a median 25% of what they paid, across 133 sales and offers. Of 139 buyers who said how they feel about their natural diamond ring, 69 have no regret, 48 are mixed and 22 regret it.
| Why, among the mixed and regretful | Buyers |
|---|---|
| Colour, clarity or cut disappoints | 13 |
| Second thoughts about lab or natural | 12 |
| Spent too much | 11 |
| Wishes the stone were bigger | 8 |
| Shape, setting or metal feels wrong | 8 |
| Keeps comparing | 5 |
| Chips, loose stones or wear | 4 |
| Learned what it is worth | 3 |
| Went bigger than they like now | 3 |
| The store | 2 |
| Other | 1 |
Natural diamond ring questions
How much does a natural diamond engagement ring cost?
A median $7,600 across 504 buyer-reported purchases, with half between $3,000 and $16,500.
What carat do people buy in a natural diamond?
The median center stone weighed 1.5 ct, and half weighed between 0.98 ct and 2.02 ct (339 stated weights).
Why would someone pick a natural diamond over a much cheaper lab-grown one?
The person asking said extensive research still led them to natural, even after seeing bigger, cheaper lab stones, because it felt like the right choice for such a meaningful purchase; other buyers value natural diamonds' rarity and say experienced eyes can sometimes spot subtle differences under a loupe. Buyers said the gap varies widely by seller - some report lab stones priced at just a fraction of an equivalent natural stone, others say the difference is only a few hundred dollars less depending on where it's bought.
Do natural diamonds hold their resale or trade-in value better than lab-grown diamonds?
Buyers said both mined and lab diamonds have very little resale value overall, but some jewelers offer trade-in credit toward an upgrade for a natural diamond that they generally don't offer for lab-grown stones. Several buyers said no - one buyer got only $200 back on a $1,600 natural diamond ring after a divorce, and others argued ordinary diamonds of either type are a depreciating asset, not an investment.
Do lab-grown diamonds hold resale value as well as natural diamonds
Multiple self-described sellers say lab diamonds lose far more of their price when resold, sometimes down to a small fraction, while natural stones typically keep more value, though several buyers argue neither is a real investment. Buyers said natural diamonds are more likely to be repurchased on resale, while lab-grown stones generally are not, though several buyers said resale value doesn't matter if they never plan to sell.
Why choose a natural diamond over a lab-grown one for an engagement ring?
The person asking said they considered lab diamonds but chose natural because they liked the idea of the stone being earth-formed and could afford the natural option. Several buyers who owned natural diamonds said they would pick lab-grown today given how poorly natural stones resell and how much cheaper labs are for the same look, with one recalling a jeweler admitting the two are chemically identical.
Are lab-grown diamonds much cheaper than natural ones?
Yes; buyers describe lab stones costing a small fraction of a comparable natural stone's price while looking identical without lab testing. One buyer said they paid just $350 for a 2ct E VVS2 ideal-cut lab diamond, versus the asker's $14,700 for a comparable natural stone bought in 2015.
How much does a lab-grown diamond ring cost compared to a natural one?
One writer said a 2-carat lab diamond ring fell from about $7-8k a few years earlier to under $1,500 by 2023, and others estimated the same design would run $8k-10k in lab-grown versus $10k-20k in natural. Buyers who compared quotes paid a fraction of the natural price for the same look: $1,200 for a 1.51ct lab stone against a $9,000 quote for a similar natural one, and $3,178 for a 2.05ct lab princess cut against $45,000 for the same specs in natural at Tiffany.
Are lab-grown diamonds cheaper than natural diamonds?
Yes, buyers report lab diamonds running roughly a third to 70% less than a comparable natural stone, for example a 1.5ct lab diamond estimated around $3,500 versus about $18,000 for a natural equivalent, and several chose lab stones specifically to save money. Yes, buyers put lab diamonds at well under half the price of natural, citing wholesale costs as low as $50 per carat versus roughly $10,000 per carat for natural stones.
Do lab-grown diamonds hold their resale value compared to natural diamonds?
Jewelers here said lab diamond prices have kept falling so they hold almost no resale value, while natural diamonds can still be resold for well under retail but their retail price tends to rise over decades, similar to how a car loses value the moment it is bought at retail. Buyers generally agreed lab-grown stones lose nearly all their value quickly, while natural diamonds retain somewhat more, roughly half to two-thirds of the price by one estimate, though several called both poor 'investments' regardless.
Can you tell a lab-grown diamond from a natural diamond just by looking at it?
No, buyers agree the two look and test the same to the naked eye and both get GIA or IGI certificates; the only way to know for sure is that certificate or a laser inscription on the stone's girdle. A jewelry seller said there is no visible difference to the naked eye; the only giveaway is a certificate number laser-engraved on the lab diamond's girdle.
How much do natural diamond engagement rings cost compared to lab-grown ones?
One buyer said her own 2.7 ct natural-stone ring cost about $20,000 a few years earlier, and called the roughly $3,300 lab diamond quote discussed here an excellent price by comparison. Buyers here paid roughly $1,800 to $3,800 for lab-grown center stones between 2 and 3.5 carats; one buyer said their 3.5-carat lab stone would have cost about $80,000 as a natural diamond.
How much cheaper are lab-grown diamonds than natural diamonds of the same size?
Buyers' own price comparisons show lab-grown running noticeably less per carat than natural at a similar retailer tier — for example, about $950 for a 1ctw lab pair versus $2,300 for a similar natural pair at Costco. Buyers describe lab stones costing roughly a third less to several thousand dollars less than a comparable natural stone, letting buyers get a bigger or higher-spec stone for the same budget.
Do lab-grown diamonds resell for less than natural diamonds?
Buyers say both lose most of their value quickly; one $7,000 lab diamond ring was estimated at under $1,000 resale a year later, close to the gold's melt value. Several buyers say lab stones have almost no secondhand market and lose value fast, though they add that natural diamonds also resell for a fraction of what was paid when sold back rather than traded in.
Can people tell a lab-grown diamond apart from a natural diamond just by looking at it?
Buyers said no, since lab diamonds are chemically identical to natural ones and can't be told apart by eye, though a jeweler's loupe can sometimes reveal a laser-etched serial number on the stone's girdle confirming lab origin. Multiple buyers say lab-grown and natural diamonds share the same chemical and atomic structure, and even gem experts can't distinguish them without specialized 10x magnification equipment.
Do natural diamonds hold their resale value better than lab diamonds?
Not really according to several buyers: one couple's $20,000 natural diamond found no buyers listed online at $3,000 and eventually sold to a pawn shop for just $1,300, while another buyer says consigning through a jeweler got back only 70-75% of value; natural diamonds are said to have little resale value unless the stone is unusually large or high quality. In percentage terms yes, in dollars no: a jeweler's example puts natural resale at about 20% of retail, so a $10,000 natural loses about $8,000 while a comparable $1,000 lab stone can lose at most $1,000. Several add that natural stones also resell poorly.
Can a jeweler tell a natural diamond from a lab-grown one just by looking at it?
A jeweler here says in most cases there's no visible difference, but with years of daily experience looking under a loupe, subtle differences in the material, cut and inclusions can sometimes be spotted. Most jewelers here say no without a loupe, specialized testing equipment, or a laser-inscribed girdle number (lab stones are often marked with an 'LG' prefix); a few say only very poor-quality lab stones show visible tells like metallic inclusions.
Do lab-grown or natural diamonds hold their resale value?
Several buyers say neither holds value well on resale, citing one writer who sold a £3,000 0.6-carat diamond ring for only £600 since diamonds reportedly change hands around £1,000 per carat, while others argue resale value shouldn't matter for a ring meant to be worn rather than sold. Several buyers say diamonds in general have poor resale value, and that lab-grown stones are chemically identical to natural ones but sell for much less.
Every natural diamond ring in the data
Each row is one buyer's ring, cheapest first, with what they said about it.
| Ring | Stone | Carat | Shape | Metal | Year | What the buyer reported |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $20 | Natural diamond | – | – | platinum | – | Bought cheap at an antique store thinking it was sterling and zircon; turned out to be platinum with a genuine diamond |
| $30 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Proposed with a cheap ring holding a tiny diamond speck as a placeholder, then picked an official ring together afterward; still loves the inexpensive ring |
| $75 | Natural diamond | – | other | yellow gold | 2024 | Estate/pawn ring, 14k gold with small diamonds and emeralds; marked down from $500 to $100 after a stone fell out, $75 final with a Black Friday deal and tax; he swapped in his own pink sapphires |
| $88 | Natural diamond | – | – | gold | – | 14k gold diamond ring bought on eBay from a seller who sources from estate sales |
| $100 | Natural diamond | – | – | white gold | – | 1980s ring with a flawed small stone, returned and replaced in yellow gold, later upgraded to a 1/3 carat marquise bought on installment |
| $103 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 1976 | Bought together with very little money at the diamond district; about 50 years before this 2026 comment. |
| $150 | Natural diamond | 0.1 ct | marquise | – | – | First ring, a small marquise diamond, lost while swimming |
| $200 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | – | – | 2026 | Bought secondhand from another buyers for roughly its gold weight; vintage design, 1/2ct total weight in small natural stones. |
| $250 | Natural diamond | 0.25 ct | – | – | 2015 | Quarter-carat estate ring bought while saving for a house; still happy ten years on and has since upgraded |
| $263 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2026 | Vintage-style diamond ring bought on eBay after seeing the asker's find; writer called it 'a steal' |
| $280 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | A temporary ring bought at the pawn shop where her fiance works, while waiting on the main ring |
| $299 | Natural diamond | – | – | white gold | 2011 | A small black diamond clearance find in white gold; later upgraded to a bolder, colorful ring, price not given |
| $300 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Antique ring about 90 years old, chosen for its color and sparkle; called it a wedding ring but appears to be the engagement ring |
| $300 | Natural diamond | 0.32 ct | – | white gold | 2018 | 0.32 tcw natural diamond 14k white-gold ring bought on eBay with an appraisal in 2018; writer reacted to the metal and gave the ring to her future sister-in-law |
| $300 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Small natural diamond bought secondhand from someone with a failed engagement; upgraded later to an antique natural piece for an unstated amount |
| $300 | Natural diamond | 0.33 ct | – | gold | – | Husband bought this off a friend whose own engagement had fallen through |
| $305 | Natural diamond | 1.03 ct | round | – | – | Bought secondhand on eBay, GIA-verified through eBay's authenticity service; originally listed around $2,000 retail |
| $325 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 1972 | A custom-made engagement ring commissioned abroad, recalled by a longtime dealer; predates lab-grown diamonds so almost certainly a natural stone |
| $350 | Natural diamond | – | – | two tone | – | 90-year-old art deco diamond ring, platinum head with an 18k yellow gold band, bought secondhand |
| $350 | Natural diamond | – | – | white gold | 2026 | Bought at the pawn shop where she works, 10% above gold melt scrap at employee pricing |
| $400 | Natural diamond | 0.49 ct | – | gold | – | Found preowned on Craigslist and had boyfriend buy it; appraised for $1,500 after cleaning, .49ct natural stone, 18k gold |
| $400 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | – | white gold | – | Vintage Art Deco ring; 1.5 ct is total diamond weight; cheap because the style was out of fashion |
| $400 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | – | yellow gold | – | Bought off Craigslist; jeweler appraised it at $1,500 when resizing |
| $400 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Bought at Costco |
| $400 | Natural diamond | 0.1 ct | – | – | 1981 | First ring when married almost 45 years ago while husband was in college; a 0.10 ct diamond |
| $400 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Bought from a woman whose engagement ended; paperwork confirms a natural diamond; she loves it |
| $480 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Split the cost with her husband for a vintage 1930s diamond ring bought on a holiday sale; total came to $480. |
| $500 | Natural diamond | 0.25 ct | – | yellow gold | – | Vintage 1960s-70s style yellow-gold solitaire diamond from an estate jewelry dealer who was also an acquaintance; in great shape |
| $500 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | – | – | 1987 | Engagement ring bought at Costco in 1987, simple design, writer recalls it fondly decades later |
| $500 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | – | white gold | – | A vintage ring dating to the 1920s/30s; bigger than 1ct was uncommon in her circles |
| $550 | Natural diamond | 0.25 ct | – | yellow gold | – | Vintage-style .25ct diamond solitaire in a yellow gold band, bought through an estate jewelry seller a friend knew |
| $559 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Preloved ring; serial numbers showed a roughly $4k replacement cost, so skipped formal appraisal and insurance at $559 paid |
| $559 | Natural diamond | 0.9 ct | – | white gold | 2022 | Pre-owned Gabriel & Co 'Rachel' halo setting, 0.9 ctw total (not center-only), F-G color, SI1/SI2 clarity |
| $600 | Natural diamond | 0.8 ct | marquise | gold | – | Found at a pawn shop or antique store; didn't care about lab vs mined, just fell for the ring |
| $600 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 1990 | About 36 years before the comment; modest set with genuine diamonds, matching band bought at the same time |
| $600 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | pear | – | 1976 | 1976 purchase, said to equal about $3,500 today; earned $15,000/year at the time, a strong starting salary then |
| $650 | Natural diamond | 0.3 ct | round | white gold | – | Total includes GIA report and appraisal; stone alone valued around $378 per Blue Nile's upgrade-credit terms |
| $650 | Natural diamond | 0.2 ct | – | – | 2023 | Whole ring bought about a year before the comment; price given as a $600-700 range |
| $700 | Natural diamond | 0.7 ct | round | – | – | Secondhand old-cut diamond found at a thrift store; she paid $500 and he paid $200, financed by selling headphones |
| $700 | Natural diamond | – | – | gold | 2025 | 14k gold ring setting with about 120 pave diamonds, no distinct center stone; cited as a cheaper custom alternative to an $800 repair quote. |
| $700 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Vintage ring bought back when lab diamonds weren't yet popular, much cheaper than the $3,000-5,000 new-diamond rings she also liked then |
| $800 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Locally made ring with a fairly large black diamond |
| $800 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | – | rose gold | – | Half carat salt and pepper diamond set in a 14k rose gold band |
| $800 | Natural diamond | 0.75 ct | marquise | – | 1978 | Husband paid it off in 4 weeks; stolen in a 1981 NYC mugging, replaced by insurance, later upgraded with baguettes and a band |
| $900 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Engagement ring used an heirloom diamond from him; her wedding band was $700; his wedding band (not yet bought) was being looked at around $1700, about half his monthly take-home pay |
| $900 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | – | – | 1988 | Outside NYC; a half carat stone was considered pretty large there at the time |
| $950 | Natural diamond | – | cushion | platinum | – | Antique three-stone platinum ring with old mine cut diamonds; she believes her partner paid about this for her first engagement ring; year not given |
| $1,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | other | – | Vintage diamond ring and matching band both found on Etsy; his tungsten-and-koa-wood-inlay band was $80 on Etsy vs $300 through a local jeweler for the same design |
| $1,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2021 | Best deal so far: a diamond solitaire with $10k insurable value bought secondhand for $1k; only buys from sellers with grading lab reports |
| $1,000 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | – | – | – | Half-carat bezel-set blue diamond, chosen so it wouldn't catch on things and wouldn't need insurance |
| $1,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Diamond and garnet ring from a vintage jewelry store |
| $1,000 | Natural diamond | 2.28 ct | – | white gold | 2024 | 2.28 total carats of diamonds in 14k white gold from a pawn shop, likely mispriced; appraised over $4,000 to replace |
| $1,000 | Natural diamond | 0.4 ct | – | – | – | Initially considered a cheaper ring under $500 before settling on this one |
| $1,000 | Natural diamond | 1.23 ct | – | – | 1974 | Badly cut stone with a weak K color grade, bought at a pricey local jewelry store |
| $1,095 | Natural diamond | 0.67 ct | – | platinum | 2024 | 1939 platinum ring with a 2/3ct center stone bought at an antique mall on a tighter budget; described as a Cartier-style tank ring |
| $1,100 | Natural diamond | 0.3 ct | – | – | 1992 | 0.3 ct solitaire bought when they were both 22; her very slim band was about 90 |
| $1,100 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | yellow gold | 2026 | 18k solid gold 1ctw natural diamond eternity band from Costco, item #1614197; carat figure is total weight across the band, not one stone |
| $1,100 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | heart | yellow gold | 1991 | Heart solitaire, 14k yellow gold; the store has since closed. A later comment from the same writer calls it 1/5 ct instead of 1/2 ct, likely a typo. |
| $1,200 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | – | platinum | – | Vintage diamond ring bought from a vintage dealer; writer likes that it had a previous owner |
| $1,200 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Big-looking Costco ring for about 1.2k; someone guessed it cost around 5k; still looks as it did in the display case |
| $1,200 | Natural diamond | – | – | white gold | 2000 | Small antique-style stone bought on the spot in the NYC diamond district; writer calls it a 'mind cut' (old mine cut) |
| $1,200 | Natural diamond | 0.75 ct | – | – | – | Used Kay Jewelers' trade-in program to lower the net cost; suggests comparing local and online jewelers too, since chain prices ran high |
| $1,200 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | A 200-year-old ring with a full-carat stone, chosen for character over modern cut and clarity |
| $1,250 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | – | white gold | 2008 | 0.5ct natural diamond solitaire in 18k white gold cost $1250 in 2008 |
| $1,300 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | – | white gold | – | Solitaire style; said she'd be upset if partner had spent 3 months' salary instead |
| $1,300 | Natural diamond | 3.8 ct | – | platinum | 2026 | 3.8ct stone bought at auction with graduated side stones, platinum band custom made overseas |
| $1,300 | Natural diamond | 0.38 ct | – | – | 1994 | 3/8 ct solitaire; picked a smaller, higher-quality stone since 1 ct was beyond their budget |
| $1,380 | Natural diamond | 0.27 ct | – | gold | 2025 | Paying down a layaway on a vintage (pre-2000) 18k gold ring with a .27ct natural center stone and small melee accents, about 6 grams total |
| $1,400 | Natural diamond | 0.6 ct | round | white gold | – | Says her ring is similar to a same-era natural diamond ring described above |
| $1,400 | Natural diamond | 0.4 ct | princess | gold | 1998 | 0.40 ct princess in a 14k band from a mall jeweler; his 14k band about 500; bought 1998 or 1999 |
| $1,400 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | round | yellow gold | 1997 | No lab option existed at the time of this engagement |
| $1,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2025 | Bought on sale as a wedding ring; buyer specifically wanted a natural stone rather than lab-grown |
| $1,500 | Natural diamond | 1.01 ct | – | white gold | 2024 | Custom CAD-designed 18K white gold ring with a hand-picked salt-and-pepper diamond, made in Thailand and imported to the US; appraised for insurance |
| $1,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | gold | – | 10k gold with a natural diamond of unknown weight, price after tax; ring has lifetime insurance; wedding dinner for 20 cost 800 |
| $1,500 | Natural diamond | 0.68 ct | – | gold | 2024 | Bought this 18k gold .68ct natural diamond ring secondhand for $1500; appraised recently at $1900 |
| $1,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Husband bought this natural diamond engagement ring secondhand; the previous owner had originally paid $5,600 for it. |
| $1,500 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | round | white gold | 2002 | Engaged 24 years before the comment; solitaire, no lab option existed at the time |
| $1,600 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Tried rings on together; ended up with a low-set fancy blue diamond instead of a standard white solitaire; second-priciest item in the whole wedding after food. |
| $1,600 | Natural diamond | – | – | white gold | – | White gold diamond ring picked at a jewelry outlet based on looks |
| $1,600 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Bought for his then-wife years before this comment; year not given |
| $1,600 | Natural diamond | – | – | platinum | 1998 | Borrowed money for first wife's platinum diamond ring; marriage ended in divorce five years later |
| $1,700 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | – | Vintage Art Deco style with 4 sapphire baguette accents from a consignment antique store |
| $1,740 | Natural diamond | 1.31 ct | oval | – | 2025 | Stone measures 9.29 by 6.11mm |
| $1,750 | Natural diamond | 0.6 ct | – | yellow gold | 2018 | Remembered as 1500-2000; mined diamond, designed and crafted by an artist; wedding band was free, passed down from mother-in-law; years later a different jeweler found the artist had used a cheap pre-fab basket soldered |
| $1,800 | Natural diamond | 0.56 ct | – | yellow gold | 2021 | Writer calls it her 'first stone' |
| $1,800 | Natural diamond | 0.59 ct | – | white gold | 2003 | First husband paid $1800 plus tax for a 0.59ct white-gold ring back in 2003 |
| $1,800 | Natural diamond | 0.98 ct | round | – | 2020 | Vintage 1930s-40s transitional-cut estate ring bought on eBay; now estimated worth about $6k |
| $1,975 | Natural diamond | 0.6 ct | round | – | 1994 | 0.60 ct round with two dark ruby trillions, receipt kept; her channel-set diamond and ruby band about 600; married 32 years, no wish to upgrade |
| $2,000 | Natural diamond | 0.74 ct | – | – | – | Chose a lower color grade with fluorescence in a yellow-gold setting to look whiter; researched proportions and saw the stone in person first |
| $2,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Husband spent about $2,000 USD (2 weeks take-home pay, converted currency) on a diamond ring; contrasts with cheaper lab option |
| $2,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Only requirement was a real diamond; now regrets not choosing lab-grown for cost and ethics reasons |
| $2,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | radiant | – | – | Solitaire band; another buyer doubted this was GIA-certified natural at that price |
| $2,000 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | – | gold | 1985 | First husband's ring; weak color grade and inclusions visible to the naked eye, just under half a carat |
| $2,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Black diamond ring had visible soldering near two prongs the store denied and poor rhodium plating that wore off unworn; sold at a big loss after being strung along past the return window |
| $2,000 | Natural diamond | 0.68 ct | – | – | 2018 | Designed by an artist; band was inherited; later found cheap solder on the band |
| $2,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | platinum | – | Small natural diamond solitaire on a platinum band; would have cost less with a lab-grown diamond or a white gold band instead |
| $2,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | – | – | 1985 | Graded I clarity with no digit given; one inclusion hidden by a prong, described as slightly warm color and well cut |
| $2,000 | Natural diamond | – | round | – | 2024 | Final stone chosen after narrowing down from a $2,000-2,500 budget toward a smaller, better-color round diamond; exact final carat/color not stated |
| $2,000 | Natural diamond | 1.3 ct | marquise | platinum | 2024 | Vintage 1940s-50s-style platinum marquise ring (about 11x5.6mm) bought with a bonus ring guard for about $2,000, well under other vintage marquise prices seen |
| $2,100 | Natural diamond | 1.3 ct | round | platinum | 1999 | Haggled at a small pawn shop roughly 10 years after their ~1990 wedding; graded by 'IGA', not a recognized lab |
| $2,200 | Natural diamond | 1.2 ct | princess | – | 2009 | Bought secondhand from a private seller on Craigslist; the same ring was selling for $6,500 at a jewelry store at the time |
| $2,250 | Natural diamond | 0.75 ct | – | – | 1998 | Writer unsure, recalls 2000-2500 at most; about a 3/4 ct center and maybe 2 ct total; band with about 1/2 ct added at the 2000 wedding |
| $2,300 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | oval | – | 1993 | 1ct oval center with 0.2ct trillion side stones on each side; total stated directly by the writer |
| $2,300 | Natural diamond | 0.63 ct | round | – | – | Loves the cut and sparkle but wishes she had traded some color and clarity for a bigger carat |
| $2,400 | Natural diamond | 0.46 ct | – | gold | 2015 | Recycled 18k gold setting chosen for an 'ethical' feel; relationship later ended and writer sold the ring (sale price not given) |
| $2,500 | Natural diamond | 0.55 ct | round | white gold | 2019 | Paid for center stone and setting separately from Blue Nile, then had them assembled into one ring; band carries 20 melee diamonds totaling 0.1ct |
| $2,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Vintage 1920s daisy-cluster style diamond ring; price includes resizing |
| $2,650 | Natural diamond | 0.43 ct | marquise | – | 1997 | Buyer's own 1997 engagement ring; price given already adjusted to today's dollars, from before lab-grown existed |
| $2,700 | Natural diamond | – | – | white gold | – | Engagement ring bought by her husband during a Black Friday deal |
| $2,700 | Natural diamond | – | – | platinum | – | 1910s antique found at a vintage shop; bought instead of a custom lab piece |
| $2,700 | Natural diamond | 2.81 ct | round | white gold | 2025 | 2.81ct hearts-and-arrows round stone bought separately for just under $1200; David Klass built the 18k white-gold cushion-halo setting for $1500 |
| $2,900 | Natural diamond | – | – | gold | 2025 | Spouse's ring, gold with salt-and-pepper diamonds, bought at a small boutique store. |
| $2,900 | Natural diamond | 0.8 ct | princess | platinum | 1998 | Custom-made wide platinum band; matching 10-stone wedding band bought alongside it |
| $3,000 | Natural diamond | 0.75 ct | – | – | 2022 | Diamond about $2200 plus $800 setting, plus an $800 wedding band |
| $3,000 | Natural diamond | 0.63 ct | – | – | – | Mined diamond solitaire; well under a month's income; bought from his savings for a quick wedding |
| $3,000 | Natural diamond | 1.25 ct | princess | platinum | – | 1.25 ctw princess-cut and round-brilliant Costco wedding ring set, given to her on sale for about $3k; carat is total weight, not center stone |
| $3,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | – | – | – | Setting bought online for $1k, 2ct diamond online for $2k, plus $200 for a local jeweler to set the stone |
| $3,000 | Natural diamond | 1.24 ct | – | platinum | – | Vintage c.1954 piece styled like a Harry Winston design; carat figure is total weight (TCW), not centre stone alone |
| $3,000 | Natural diamond | 0.8 ct | – | – | – | Small natural diamond bought years before this comment, no other specs given |
| $3,000 | Natural diamond | 0.4 ct | – | gold | 1995 | Paid $3000 about 30 years ago for the ring; buyer estimates today's raw materials (14kt gold band, 0.4ct diamond, labor) would run about $1500 |
| $3,000 | Natural diamond | 1.2 ct | – | – | – | Husband bought a new natural 1.2 ct diamond ring; in hindsight she'd have preferred vintage or lab grown |
| $3,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | 2000 | About 20 years later she bought a 1 ct center with two side stones, one the old diamond, using Beanie Baby sale money |
| $3,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | gold | 2002 | Canadian-mined diamond ring from her ex-husband; later tried to sell it for far less than paid |
| $3,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | gold | – | Dainty natural diamond ring in 18k gold; late 20s/early 30s couple |
| $3,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | platinum | – | He picked it to match her taste; she planned to buy her own roughly $30 silver-and-crystal band separately |
| $3,200 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | – | Saved money buying secondhand and choosing a warmer (lower color grade) diamond |
| $3,200 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Natural solitaire, price after tax; writer lived on a grad stipend of about 1600 USD a month at the time |
| $3,250 | Natural diamond | 0.92 ct | oval | platinum | – | 2mm platinum band, bought before lab-grown diamonds became widely popular; writer unsure of exact price |
| $3,299 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2015 | Design stocked only in warehouses, never online; appraised a month after purchase; 8 years of daily wear; matching band from a local jeweler |
| $3,300 | Natural diamond | 2.55 ct | radiant | – | – | Loose stone sourced separately; jeweler charging to set it in 18k gold, described as under $3.5k total |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | 0.3 ct | – | – | 2021 | Fiance's original diamond ring; lab diamonds and moissanite were not easily available where they lived at the time |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Preloved/pre-owned ring bought used, appraised well above what they paid |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Bought a preloved mined-diamond ring appraised at $18k; chose secondhand over lab to avoid new mined-diamond sourcing |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | pear | – | – | Figure is their 3-4k budget, set just after buying a fixer-upper; picked a heavily included, cloudy natural stone over lab, sapphire or moissanite |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | 0.76 ct | – | – | – | Bought years ago; used as a comparison point for how much cheaper lab diamonds have become since |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | 0.67 ct | – | gold | 1995 | Gold setting with a 2/3 carat mined diamond, bought about 30 years before the comment, given risk of loss/theft and wanting to save for a house instead |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | – | princess | yellow gold | 2025 | Family-owned jeweler stone with GIA report; I1 clarity, thick girdle, oversized table, fair symmetry; still inside return window before proposal |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | gold | 2025 | Second ring stacked on writer's ring finger, custom-made, gold with salt-and-pepper diamonds. |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2025 | Bought at Costco, which the writer said sells only natural diamonds, for $3,500; appraised by a local jeweler at $11,500 shortly after |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | platinum | – | Bought on sale; listed price unchanged for 5 years at $4,600 |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | 0.8 ct | radiant | platinum | 1997 | First ring, custom made |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | 0.75 ct | pear | – | – | Chose from finalists within a sub-$5K total budget; believes it's natural but isn't fully certain |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | 1.76 ct | heart | two tone | 2023 | Rose-cut diamond in a platinum bezel on a 14kt yellow gold cigar band; made when gold prices were especially high |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | round | – | – | Bought this stone secondhand for far under its original $12,000 price |
| $3,500 | Natural diamond | 0.84 ct | cushion | two tone | 2022 | Late Victorian platinum buttercup setting with 18k yellow gold shank, hand-engraved 1889 Paris; later resold as another buyer's engagement ring |
| $3,600 | Natural diamond | 0.75 ct | round | – | 1993 | Price given as approximate, "give or take" |
| $3,689 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | – | – | – | 2 ct natural VS1 H GIA solitaire, described as built at this price through Ritani |
| $3,700 | Natural diamond | 0.7 ct | oval | rose gold | – | 10 additional small detail stones bring total weight just over 1 ct |
| $3,800 | Natural diamond | 0.92 ct | – | – | 2016 | Handmade setting; stone price was just over the stated figure; later traded in for a lab upgrade |
| $3,800 | Natural diamond | 0.89 ct | emerald | – | – | Shopped several stores; this was the best price found for a .89ct natural emerald-cut stone plus a basic setting |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | First ring, mined diamond; trade-in gave back only half |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Antique ring; couple earns close to $250k and chose this over a $30k ring to save for a house and retirement |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | 1.79 ct | – | – | – | Bought a natural 1.79ct D VS diamond from a pawn shop; used to argue against overpaying at retail |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | 0.91 ct | cushion | white gold | 2012 | 10k white gold square cushion 'Tiffany style' solitaire, roughly $4,000 |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | – | – | 1999 | Bought a half-carat solitaire in Israel in 1999, when a nice half-carat diamond ran about that much |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | gold | 2025 | Writer's own ring worn on the ring finger, gold with salt-and-pepper diamonds, boutique pricing. |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | platinum | 2004 | First ring, center stone just under 1 carat, looked larger due to cut and color; writer estimates it would cost about 6k now |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Natural salt-and-pepper diamond with sapphires, platinum, low profile, custom made |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2026 | Costco diamond ring cost $4k and appraised for $10k after months of comparison shopping; no other store matched the price for the specs. |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | 2003 | The stone visibly cracked in 2021 and was replaced with a 1.91ct lab diamond (replacement price not given); regrets the size change |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | 1.2 ct | – | platinum | 1996 | Still worn daily; the stone is now reset as a side stone in a later three-stone ring |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2026 | Natural stone under a carat; she found her dream ring within the budget her boyfriend named |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | 0.8 ct | radiant | gold | – | 6 small natural diamonds as side stones, 3 each side; bought from her favorite small local jewelry store, felt like a good deal |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | 0.5 ct | – | platinum | 2001 | Platinum ring with a half-carat diamond, bought about 25 years before the comment |
| $4,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Just over 1 carat, bought at the NYC diamond district; anything bigger felt too showy to the writer |
| $4,350 | Natural diamond | 1.04 ct | – | gold | 1996 | Husband's 1996 purchase of a 1.04ct G SI2 diamond in a 14k gold band; ring later lost by a jeweler during repair, per GIA paperwork |
| $4,400 | Natural diamond | 0.9 ct | – | rose gold | 2025 | Proposed in February with a 0.9ct natural diamond in rose gold from a local jeweler after visiting several; sister said lab would've been cheaper |
| $4,500 | Natural diamond | 0.76 ct | princess | – | 2012 | Princess cut with pave diamond accents around it; original engagement ring |
| $4,600 | Natural diamond | 1.68 ct | – | – | 2022 | Same cluster/halo design as the asker's ring, bought as a wedding-ring upgrade; later appraised well above purchase price |
| $4,699 | Natural diamond | 5 ct | – | – | 2022 | 5 ctw natural-diamond eternity band, $4,999 less $300 promo, bought online at Costco; VS2 clarity, I color, ordered size 7. |
| $4,700 | Natural diamond | 0.8 ct | – | gold | – | 0.8ct natural diamond ring on a 14k gold band |
| $4,999 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Engagement ring from Costco; later appraised at about four times what was paid |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 1.02 ct | princess | – | 2023 | Went with a Costco princess-cut natural diamond ring, sizing up to 1.02ct VS1 excellent cut; pricing landed close to James Allen/Blue Nile equivalents. |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | – | round | – | 2022 | Reset a just-under-1ct mined diamond with a new halo onto her original band, and repaired her late grandmother's inherited band as the new wedding band |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 1.68 ct | – | – | 2022 | 1.68 ctw total weight across multiple stones, not one diamond over 1ct; a manufacturer rebate years later made the identical item cheaper |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | 2001 | Vintage 80-year-old ring bought about 22 years before the comment, chosen to avoid a blood diamond. |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 0.98 ct | – | – | 1988 | Bought in 1988 for $5,000; says the person asking got good value on the newer lab diamond |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | gold | 2024 | Fully custom engagement ring with natural 1ct champagne center stone and natural accent stones, 14k gold; jeweler focused on comfort and durability |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 0.81 ct | cushion | – | – | First marriage's ring; resold 5 years later for a fraction of this price |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2010 | Mined diamond ring bought in 2010 for $5000; writer estimates it's now worth only about $1500 |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | 2008 | Chose a cheap thin band to put most of a 5k budget toward a 1ct natural diamond, 17 years before this comment |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | 2012 | 1 ct mined diamond; year from the same deleted writer's parent comment (engaged 13 years before 2025); unclear if the 5k covered the setting |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 0.99 ct | radiant | – | – | Kept just under a full carat to avoid the price jump at 1.00ct; conflict-free stone from Canada, bought through a family jewelry-store connection |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | A little over $5k, called a very good deal for a natural diamond; would not use it as loan collateral |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | cushion | – | 2011 | Wife's first engagement ring, natural cushion, bought 14 years before this comment |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | cushion | – | 2009 | 1ct cushion center in a halo setting, 2ct total weight including halo stones; bought about 16 years before the comment |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 0.75 ct | princess | platinum | 2005 | Estate platinum princess-cut solitaire bought secondhand from a couple upgrading; later reset to resemble a Tiffany Lucida setting |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | – | – | – | Antique toi-et-moi style, 1.5 ct old mine cut diamond paired with a 2.2 ct deep teal sapphire |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | 1.3 ct | round | yellow gold | 1992 | "near perfect cut"; a few baguette side stones on a yellow gold band; price was "$5,000 and change" |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | yellow gold | – | Semi-custom ring with a natural salt-and-pepper center stone, yellow gold; matching wedding bands still being decided at $1,500-$2,000 |
| $5,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2026 | Husband chose and bought the ring alone; writer had no involvement in shopping and would have been fine with lab too |
| $5,100 | Natural diamond | 1.08 ct | – | yellow gold | 2026 | Semi-custom: salt-and-pepper diamond plus 6 pave stones (1.12ct total) in recycled 14k gold; designed together after a ring-pop proposal |
| $5,300 | Natural diamond | 0.91 ct | princess | platinum | 2025 | Loose 0.91ct stone cost 4200, set into a platinum princess-cut ring for about 5300 total; called a fair mall-jeweler price |
| $5,300 | Natural diamond | 1.9 ct | emerald | – | 2021 | Bought as an upgrade for herself in 2021; eye-clean, 8.4x5.76mm; now divorced and considering selling it |
| $5,500 | Natural diamond | 1.05 ct | – | – | – | Total with a promotional pearl earrings bundle came to just under $6700 |
| $5,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Friend said the Costco jeweler charges Costco about 15% of cost; ring with a claimed $20k retail value cost $5,500 there. |
| $5,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Writer would have preferred lab but didn't choose the ring herself |
| $5,500 | Natural diamond | – | round | – | – | Writer calls it her diamond, but Costco sells only finished rings; six-prong round; bigger and better than listed; appraised a bit under 11k |
| $5,500 | Natural diamond | 1.2 ct | marquise | – | 2026 | Custom made setting |
| $5,600 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | round | – | – | Eye-clean stone with a pave setting |
| $5,700 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | pear | – | 2025 | Trilogy-style pear center, excellent polish, very good symmetry, no fluorescence; plus 0.46ct total in two side diamonds; price given in dollar terms |
| $5,800 | Natural diamond | 1.9 ct | emerald | – | – | Described as her first marriage's upgrade ring; measures 8.4 by 5.74mm |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | round | – | – | Round 1ct solitaire ordered online, medium blue fluorescence |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | 1.1 ct | – | – | – | Natural diamond ring, cheaper than the asker's price assumption; suggests independent jewelers beat big retailers |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Vintage-style diamond ring from a pricey NYC store in the 2000s; wanted bigger than her ~0.5ct inherited ring, didn't love the style |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Married; spent around 6k on a ring she loves, but would choose a lab-grown stone if buying today |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 1997 | Bought before lab diamonds were an option; later divorced |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | 2.01 ct | radiant | – | – | Baguette side-stone setting |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | platinum | – | First ring, natural 1ct, called "an absolute steal" from a family jeweler |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | round | platinum | 2025 | 1.5ct round natural diamond with only Good polish/symmetry on an old 2004 GIA report, set in platinum; paid via $1,500 trade-in, $1,000 down and $3,500 on a card, with 18-month 0% financing |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | round | – | 2015 | First ring, bought over 10 years before the comment; later upgraded to a 3ct lab diamond |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | – | princess | – | 2025 | Total with tax and warranty; partner insisted on natural diamond, she wanted princess cut |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Vintage style, price already reflects a store discount |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | pear | – | 2024 | 1-carat antique pear-cut diamond from Andria Barbone, found for far less than the 25k+ versions of the same style; buyer says it looks larger than its weight |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | 0.98 ct | radiant | – | 2013 | Proposal ring bought thirteen years before the comment; Canadian-origin stone with conflict-free certification and a GIA report |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2002 | Couple paid together (she covered half) 24 years before the comment; once appraised higher, diamond values since declined |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | 2001 | Her original engagement ring bought 25 years before the comment, since replaced by a new lab diamond ring |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | 1.1 ct | emerald | white gold | 2008 | Bought new from Shane Co 18 years before this comment by writer's ex; writer now wants to sell it |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Regrets paying for a natural diamond, says the price mostly covered the store owner's markup |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | – | Husband found it for 40% of a roughly 15k retail quote (amount computed); bought before lab was available; later a lab upgrade |
| $6,000 | Natural diamond | 0.73 ct | – | – | – | Secondhand Tiffany ring bought by her then-husband in Pittsburgh; she estimates the cost, appraised well above that |
| $6,200 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | round | – | 2025 | Bought the loose 1.5ct G/SI2 diamond informally from a family friend's husband described as a wholesaler; separate $600 plain four-prong mount |
| $6,400 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | emerald | gold | 2024 | 1ct emerald-cut, dual-graded diamond bought at Costco ($4,600 w/tax); local jeweler built a custom 14k gold bezel setting for $1,800, net of trading in the ring's original platinum Costco mounting |
| $6,500 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | – | – | – | Explicitly not lab-grown |
| $6,500 | Natural diamond | 1.3 ct | – | – | 2024 | Antique c.1890s 18k gold ring bought from a curator in spring 2024; stone weight estimated 1.2-1.4ct from the setting, not unmounted |
| $6,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Bought via NYC diamond district after disliking lab-grown bands; store suggested insuring at retail-equivalent $14k |
| $6,500 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | oval | yellow gold | 1989 | Handmade 14k setting with two 1/3 ct trillions; jeweler friend charged at or near cost; reset 1994, stolen and replaced 2001, reset again 2015 |
| $6,500 | Natural diamond | 1.09 ct | – | – | – | Husband's original engagement ring purchase, called a 'not so great' diamond; later upgraded to a 3ct lab stone |
| $6,500 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | round | platinum | – | Writer's first husband bought this as her engagement ring years back; exact year not stated |
| $6,650 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | round | white gold | 2019 | Branded Forevermark earth-mined diamond in an A JAFFE trellis setting; appraisal figure worked out from the jeweler's trade-up terms |
| $6,670 | Natural diamond | 0.75 ct | round | white gold | – | 18K white gold three-stone trellis; 0.75ct center plus two roughly 0.25ct side stones; paid a premium for conflict-free Canadian diamonds |
| $6,800 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | platinum | 1999 | Custom heavy platinum setting; recalls the figure as roughly $6,800, definitely over $6,000 |
| $6,850 | Natural diamond | 1.01 ct | round | – | 2004 | A Cut Above Hearts & Arrows round, paid by bank transfer |
| $6,950 | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | – | yellow gold | 2024 | 2.5ct natural M/VS2 GIA diamond from Brilliance $6,200, appraised near quadruple that; mounted with an 18k yellow gold band bought on eBay for about $750 |
| $7,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | – | – | – | Total diamond weight across the whole ring is about 2ct, not just the center stone |
| $7,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | emerald | – | 2024 | Ordered a 2ct emerald natural diamond, IGI-graded H/SI2 after asking for SI1; trapezoid setting; certificate approved but photos never provided and vendor's customer service was poor |
| $7,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Bought a ring nearly identical to the asker's at Costco; paid $7k and it appraised at double that |
| $7,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | – | – | – | Bought diamond and setting at wholesale through her job at a high-end retail store; now considering a simpler re-setting since losing weight changed the fit |
| $7,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | – | A 1ct natural diamond ring |
| $7,000 | Natural diamond | 1.8 ct | – | – | – | Original ring bought preloved before the lab-diamond upgrade |
| $7,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Hidden halo setting like the asker's ring; implied natural by comparison to lab pricing |
| $7,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | 2011 | 1ct mined diamond, VS G color, bought 15 years before the comment; unclear if this is stone-only or the full ring |
| $7,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | white gold | 2017 | Original ring bought in 2017; the 18k white gold AJAFFE setting alone was about $1,250 of the $7k total |
| $7,100 | Natural diamond | 1.2 ct | round | – | 2020 | Petite micropave setting in 14k white gold with small side stones; stone has strong fluorescence, now being sold years later |
| $7,350 | Natural diamond | 1.64 ct | – | – | – | Upgraded 10 years after the original ring to a fancy-color natural diamond with top specs; split the cost with her husband |
| $7,500 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | – | – | 2007 | First marriage's solitaire; now remarried with an inexpensive antique diamond and sapphire ring, price not given |
| $7,500 | Natural diamond | 0.93 ct | emerald | – | 1999 | Writer says her stone was 2.3ct smaller and $40k cheaper than the asker's ring, bought about 27 years before this comment; figures worked out from that comparison |
| $7,700 | Natural diamond | 1.41 ct | round | – | 2015 | Original engagement ring bought roughly 10 years before the anniversary upgrade discussion; now being traded in under James Allen's 100% upgrade program |
| $7,750 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Found rings loved in the $7.5k-8k range with a natural diamond; boyfriend earns about $14k a month, ~$168k a year |
| $7,850 | Natural diamond | – | cushion | – | 2022 | Antique cushion cut stone initially sold as EGL H VS2, but the GIA cert came back color L; price renegotiated from $8,400 down to $7,850 all-in for a custom 18k setting |
| $7,965 | Natural diamond | 1.51 ct | radiant | platinum | 2024 | Custom platinum split-shank build with hidden 58-diamond halo; $7,980 all in with tax; total stone weight 2.07 ct with melee |
| $7,999 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | oval | platinum | 2026 | 2.35 CTW halo ring with 1ct oval center plus 19 side diamonds in platinum 950; ordered and awaiting delivery |
| $8,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | round | – | 2022 | Round solitaire in 18k gold with some fluorescence; stone and setting priced separately then combined, appraised well above the purchase price |
| $8,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | – | – | 2023 | Natural diamond ring bought recently; price included certification and the setting |
| $8,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Bought long ago before lab diamonds existed; writer says she'd only get about $800 reselling it now |
| $8,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 1998 | Very clear stone in a channel-set band; the diamond popped out and was never found, ring never got appraised |
| $8,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | other | – | 1ct+ real diamond in an original palladium setting; setting later broke and was replaced under warranty |
| $8,000 | Natural diamond | 0.8 ct | asscher | – | – | Asscher-cut natural diamond with two 0.1 ct marquise side stones, custom made from a picture she'd saved years before he proposed. |
| $8,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Owns this alongside a lab ring for comparison; says the stones look identical except size and shape. |
| $8,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Husband chose a mined stone over lab for personal reasons; a lab version was estimated at under 3000 but was never actually bought |
| $8,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | – | – | 2023 | Local jeweler created a similar design with a 2ct natural diamond in 2023; emerald cut proportions matter a lot |
| $8,300 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | round | platinum | 2024 | Platinum halo pave setting; buyer weighing a return within the 30-day window to try a different vendor |
| $8,400 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | round | – | 2003 | Original engagement ring purchase, about 20 years before this discussion; now considering an upgrade |
| $8,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | platinum | – | Just over 1 carat, called nearly perfect |
| $8,950 | Natural diamond | 1.27 ct | round | – | 2013 | Star129 (129-facet) natural round diamond with diamond halo, bought from husband's jeweler friend for their 26th anniversary; has a side-visible carbon inclusion |
| $9,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | GIA-certified mined diamond with Tacori setting; $3k down, rest on 18-month 0% financing |
| $9,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Original Tiffany natural diamond ring from a first marriage, bought before this year's lab choice |
| $9,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | A unique ring, called stunning |
| $9,000 | Natural diamond | 1.01 ct | round | platinum | 2022 | 1.01ct round H VS2 very-good cut on a simple 4-prong platinum band, price included tax and the setting; appraised for $13,000 soon after |
| $9,500 | Natural diamond | 1.25 ct | – | – | 2009 | 1.25ct diamond with channel-set diamonds in the band, made by a local jeweler before lab diamonds were considered good quality |
| $9,800 | Natural diamond | 1.25 ct | marquise | platinum | 2023 | Couple describes themselves as older and established; wouldn't have allowed this spend in their 20s |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Custom ring from a Hawaii jeweler, under 1ct per a buyer's photo guess of J/SI1; wedding band bought separately; ex-fiance paid before the breakup |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2019 | Insured based on a 2019 appraisal; now seeing similar stones selling for closer to $15,000 and worried about a coverage gap |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | white gold | – | Solitaire ring from Costco in white gold; planning a reset into platinum for about $2k more, not yet done |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | A designer ring from a first marriage that later ended; resold for about a quarter of its price |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | platinum | – | Platinum setting was worth more than the diamonds; now wears a white sapphire instead |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 1.21 ct | radiant | – | 2023 | Fiance paid $10k for a 1.21ct radiant cut natural diamond; tells the person asking he did great |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 1.4 ct | – | – | – | Husband bought it through Costco's online store; ring was later insurance-appraised much higher |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Natural diamond ring; later drew buy-back offers under $2,000, well below purchase price |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | – | – | – | Three-stone ring bought after a discount; carat is the approx total weight of all three stones; resale offer came in far below this |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2016 | Implies paying around the post's $10k figure for a natural stone when lab options weren't common yet |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2018 | Writer's spouse paid around $10k for the ring in 2018; her wedding band cost about $600 separately |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | 2005 | Three-stone past/present/future setting, 1ct center with a 0.5ct stone on each side, bought about 20 years before the comment when lab wasn't an option |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2015 | Bought this diamond over 10 years ago before knowing about labs; says an equivalent lab stone now costs under $1,000 |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2015 | The asker's original ring, bought about ten years before this comment as a maxed-out grad student; considering an upgrade with lab side stones |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | – | – | – | Paid a bit more than the asker's roughly $10k lab quote, for an almost-3-carat natural diamond |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | pear | – | 2011 | Price included setting and design services; stone sourced from husband's home country in West Africa |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | – | Wife's 1 ct ring cost close to $10,000; has purchase paperwork and an insurance rider on it |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 2.02 ct | cushion | – | 2026 | Boyfriend bought it recently for around 10k; she suggests the same seller for 2 ct natural stones under 15k |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Upgraded to a 10k ring over a decade before the comment; says she likely would not spend that much now, least of all on a natural stone |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 0.75 ct | marquise | – | 2026 | Double halo marquise |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | An upgrade received several years ago; an original ring from about 15 years earlier was very small and inexpensive, price not given |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2008 | Engagement ring bought at Costco 18 years before the comment for $10k, appraised for double; jeweler said clarity exceeded expectations. |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 1.3 ct | – | – | 2026 | Local jeweler first offered a 1ct F VS2 stone for $7k, then swapped in this 1.3ct D VS1 stone at the same price; total ring came to $10k; found out after agreeing it was GIA excellent cut, not ideal |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 1.2 ct | – | – | 2012 | Close to $10k for a 1.2ct ring 14 years before the comment; a later 2ct three-stone setting cost more, no figure given |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | round | yellow gold | – | Custom 14k solitaire, three tapered baguettes per side; band cost forgotten; now in a bank box, she wishes the money had gone to the mortgage |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 1.2 ct | – | – | 2002 | Husband's family only bought flawless stones for engagements |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2011 | Paid for her natural diamond engagement ring 15 years before this 2026 comment; later got a lowball resale offer and kept it |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 0.71 ct | princess | platinum | – | Same princess shape as the asker's Costco ring but from Tiffany; writer felt paying for the brand name was still worth it |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 0.6 ct | – | platinum | – | Platinum band with a .60ct diamond, per the original post as recapped by a buyer |
| $10,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | – | 2000 | Original ring bought about 22 years before the comment, with a pricey setting included |
| $10,500 | Natural diamond | 6.5 ct | – | rose gold | – | Natural black diamond centre with about 1 additional carat of natural white diamonds on the band and prongs |
| $10,500 | Natural diamond | 1.1 ct | – | – | – | Mined diamond chosen deliberately over lab; jeweler offers an upgrade guarantee crediting this purchase toward a future one |
| $10,800 | Natural diamond | 1.52 ct | oval | white gold | 2024 | Price includes the 18k white gold setting shown; still needs to be set and sized |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | 1.7 ct | – | – | 2022 | Natural 1.7ct J color SI1 ring with strong fluorescence helping the color face up whiter; cited as a comparison for the asker's budget |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | 1.7 ct | round | – | 2022 | Round natural diamond with medium fluorescence, which the writer says doesn't read as yellow to the eye |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | 1.71 ct | – | – | 2023 | Writer says '$11' for a 1.71ct stone, read as $11k; implies natural, since he says he doesn't know lab prices |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Aimed for $8-10k on the stone alone; total with natural diamond and setting landed higher |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Covers both the diamond and the setting |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | 3.05 ct | cushion | yellow gold | – | Cathedral setting with hidden halo; stone bought from an Instagram seller who cuts gemstones, color grade as stated by writer |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Close to $11k; her 'stack' includes multiple natural-stone rings, not a single ring |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2025 | Combined price for the natural diamond and setting; chose not to insure since she rarely wears it and rarely loses things |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | 1.78 ct | – | – | – | 10-year upgrade tagged 22k but bought for 11k over 25 years ago; loves it yet feels the money was better used elsewhere |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2001 | Natural diamond retailed near $22k; a friend at the store gave half price; still loves the ring 25+ years later, thinks money could've gone elsewhere |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2021 | Roughly the max they wanted to spend; would have considered lab-grown but not at 2021 lab prices |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | – | – | – | Light yellow fancy-color 3ct diamond and setting together; cheaper than a colorless stone would be |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Bought the loose natural diamond online, then had a custom FANA-designed setting made at a local jeweler during a wedding-ring sale |
| $11,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | platinum | 2021 | Platinum Tiffany engagement ring; two pave diamonds fell out after five months and were replaced, band snapped in half about five years later |
| $11,500 | Natural diamond | 2.02 ct | oval | gold | 2024 | 2.02ct J SI1 oval with strong blue fluorescence in a custom 18k ring; several buyers called it overpriced for the specs |
| $11,500 | Natural diamond | 1.57 ct | princess | – | – | Jeweler found this stone after several rejected diamonds; eye-clean and F color |
| $11,500 | Natural diamond | 1.4 ct | – | – | 2017 | Says if choosing today she'd request a lab diamond instead for a bigger stone at lower cost |
| $11,700 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | – | gold | 2018 | Includes 2 small moissanite side stones and a 14k gold band with local setting work; stone alone was a little over $10k of the $11.7k total |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | – | platinum | – | Ex paid for a platinum Tacori setting with a 2+ carat center stone and sapphire side stones; now being sold after a broken engagement |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | 2.54 ct | oval | – | – | Fancy yellow-brown diamond, originally listed at $22k, bought for $12k |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | 1.7 ct | – | – | 2024 | 1.7ct I-color stone cost $10,400; $12k all-in with a pave band setting |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Tried to resell later and found the gold in the setting was worth more than the diamond |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | round | – | 2004 | Natural diamond engagement ring bought twenty years before the 2024 comment. |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | oval | yellow gold | – | The custom band is a regular gold band made from gold recycled from a necklace her fiance's late grandmother had given him |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | First ring, mined stone |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | 1 ct | – | platinum | – | Floral halo-style custom platinum ring; center stone plus 8 accent diamonds, 3 carats total |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | platinum | – | Felt overpriced and swindled; more than 10 years before the comment |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | – | – | – | Natural 1.5ct diamond, purchase date not stated |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Paid $12,000 for a natural diamond ring, cited as an example of typical resale depreciation |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2026 | Ring made with natural diamonds and sapphires; paid $12,000, appraised at $37,000 |
| $12,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | round | – | 2003 | Original engagement ring bought about 22 years before this 2025 comment; very good polish and symmetry but table and depth not ideal |
| $12,500 | Natural diamond | 1.8 ct | round | yellow gold | – | A Cut Above branded-cut diamond in a 6-prong yellow-gold solitaire; planning to use a $1 upgrade offer to trade up |
| $13,000 | Natural diamond | 1.9 ct | cushion | platinum | – | Ring from a previous marriage; GIA-certified cushion solitaire cathedral setting, now being priced for private resale |
| $13,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | princess | – | – | Certified near-colorless 2 ct princess solitaire, 4 prongs; stone came loose after a fall and was repaired; she considered lab only for a backup ring |
| $13,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Writer wanted lab but fiance insisted on a natural stone |
| $13,000 | Natural diamond | 4 ct | – | – | 2019 | Husband upgraded her original diamond to a 4ct earth-mined stone he got at a bargain, five years before this comment |
| $13,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Natural diamond in a style she disliked, chosen under social pressure; one of her biggest regrets |
| $13,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | round | platinum | 2008 | GIA 1.5ct that faces up like 1.4ct due to cut quality; SI2 eye-clean; setting was a shared-prong band ($2500) plus a platinum head ($500); bought at a local store |
| $14,000 | Natural diamond | 1.02 ct | – | – | 2023 | 1.02ct E VVS1 natural diamond with 2 smaller side diamonds, bought with a family discount; calls the asker's ring cheap by comparison |
| $14,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2023 | Writer's own engagement ring cost double the $7k ring the person asking asked about; natural stone, has appreciated in value |
| $14,000 | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | – | – | – | Buyer bought a natural 2.5ct J/VS1 diamond for $14k, saying the person asking could get a much better ring for similar money |
| $14,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | – | – | – | Fiancee's diamond; triple-excellent with faint fluorescence, cited as costlier alternative to a lab stone |
| $14,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | cushion | – | – | Old mine cut diamond, bought online from a California-based independent jeweler; shape inferred from the cut style |
| $14,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | – | – | – | Previous ring; total weight 3ct natural set, later replaced by a lab solitaire |
| $14,700 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | round | – | 2015 | Paid for a 2ct GIA round solitaire in 2015; the setting was cheap so almost the whole price was the diamond |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | – | – | – | 2ct total weight (incl. melee) ring bought with a 30% discount; writer regrets it and is considering an upgrade |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | radiant | white gold | 2024 | HPHT color-treated natural radiant, hidden halo, white gold head; jeweler had not verbally disclosed the treatment, and the setting was called flimsy, so the person asking decided to return it |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | 3.55 ct | – | white gold | – | Stone $11k plus $4k setting; treated/clarity-enhanced natural diamond per a dealer; AGI report; appraised just under $30k |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | cushion | yellow gold | – | 2.5ct SI1 cushion natural diamond bought wholesale through a family diamond-district connection; ring appraised near double what was paid |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | 0.97 ct | – | platinum | 1993 | Six-prong platinum solitaire bought about 31 years before the comment; the diamond has since chipped in places |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Ex-husband's purchase, made before lab diamonds were a mainstream option; marriage later ended in divorce |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Wanted a lab stone but her family's objections pushed them toward natural; more than she originally wanted to spend |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | 1.7 ct | radiant | – | – | Approximate price for a natural radiant-cut stone, offered as a data point on typical carat vs price |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Ten-year upgrade on a 600k household income; went natural only because the trade-in program required it |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | 1.75 ct | cushion | – | – | Stone later chipped and insurance covered the repair; writer valued age and origin over a lab alternative |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | 1.7 ct | emerald | white gold | – | East-west set emerald cut solitaire, 18k white gold |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | round | – | 2009 | First upgrade, natural stone in a Vatche setting |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Original diamond ring is beautiful but small; now eyeing a lab-grown ring to wear alongside it |
| $15,000 | Natural diamond | 2.02 ct | princess | – | – | Stone alone was close to $13k; with gold band and labor the total ran about $15k |
| $15,100 | Natural diamond | 1.53 ct | – | – | 2017 | Paid $15,100 in March 2017 for a 1.53ct internally-flawless natural diamond ring after negotiating 30% off Rapaport list. |
| $15,400 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | cushion | – | 2023 | Elongated cushion diamond haggled down from a 17k asking price to 13.9k; band/setting about 1.5k more |
| $15,500 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | oval | yellow gold | – | 4-prong 18k white gold basket setting on an 18k yellow gold band |
| $16,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Husband paid almost $16k for her first natural engagement ring; appraised and traded in about 7 years later for nearly half that amount toward an upgrade |
| $16,000 | Natural diamond | 1.2 ct | – | – | 2021 | Paid this for a natural 1.2ct diamond about four years before lab prices crashed; feels ripped off now. |
| $16,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Antique cluster ring style, chose not to go lab grown |
| $16,000 | Natural diamond | 1.75 ct | – | – | 2013 | Nearly flawless E natural stone bought years ago; jeweler later offered far less against it |
| $16,500 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | oval | yellow gold | 2020 | 18k yellow gold ring including tax; paid about 10% more than the identical diamond's Whiteflash listing price |
| $16,800 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Antique diamond dating to around 1890; writer says she'd choose lab-grown for any new stone today |
| $17,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | She said lab would do; he chose natural, stone and setting about 17k |
| $17,000 | Natural diamond | 1.51 ct | – | – | 2023 | Self-described natural-diamond buyer; got a $4,000 discount; purchase partly funded by a legal settlement |
| $17,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | cushion | – | 2022 | 2 carat cushion diamond ring bought in 2022, cited as proof the $85k Tiffany price is not worth it secondhand |
| $17,000 | Natural diamond | – | round | – | – | Natural round diamond from Canada, chosen to mark their first trip together; husband is a physician |
| $17,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | oval | – | 2024 | First upgrade, oval cut |
| $17,100 | Natural diamond | 1.51 ct | marquise | platinum | 2022 | Marquise center stone about 1.51ct, near 3ct total weight with hidden accent diamonds; strong fluorescence gives a faint blue cast writer doesn't mind |
| $18,000 | Natural diamond | 2.75 ct | round | – | 2007 | 2.75ct round brilliant bought at a small independent stone seller in 2007, given as a price comparison to the Tiffany piece |
| $18,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | princess | – | – | First solitaire, bought years earlier; later traded in toward a lab diamond upgrade |
| $18,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2024 | Bought the previous December; partner specifically wanted a natural diamond |
| $18,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | princess | platinum | 2011 | Husband earned 150k then; 1 ct total of side stones; she now wishes for a bigger lab stone and wears a silicone band daily |
| $19,000 | Natural diamond | 1.7 ct | oval | – | 2023 | Oval diamond with no fluorescence, dimensions close to the asker's stone; bought from a local jeweler |
| $19,000 | Natural diamond | 1.9 ct | – | – | 2009 | Upgrade diamond bought years ago after the original stone was reset into a pendant |
| $19,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | – | – | – | Originally bought; now argues even a worthless lab diamond loses less money than a resold natural of this price |
| $20,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | oval | platinum | 2025 | Bought ahead of a proposal; natural stone confirmed in comments, clean to the eye despite SI2 clarity with twinning wisps, needles, and an indented natural |
| $20,000 | Natural diamond | 3.28 ct | cushion | – | 2022 | Old mine cut stone plus setting bought together for a little over $20k |
| $20,000 | Natural diamond | 2.7 ct | – | – | 2021 | Buyer's own ring, bought about three years before this comment; she said she wishes she'd known about lab diamonds then |
| $20,000 | Natural diamond | 2.75 ct | – | yellow gold | 2007 | 2.75 ct natural bought for 18k; custom 18k yellow gold euro-shank with four 0.5 ct baguettes brought it to 20k; she thinks upscale retail would ask 35k+ |
| $20,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | round | platinum | 2011 | Writer's original 2011 engagement ring, natural round diamond in pave platinum, recalled only approximately |
| $20,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | – | – | 2020 | She still comments on it almost daily |
| $20,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Wanted lab but family pressure led to a natural diamond instead; writer calls it a total waste of money |
| $20,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2011 | Husband earned about $400k and she about $150k when engaged in 2011; writer now estimates the ring is worth about $15k |
| $20,000 | Natural diamond | 2.01 ct | asscher | platinum | 2010 | Colorless grade; all-cash buy before lab diamonds were common; appraised twice at 30k, insured; avoids wearing it on the subway |
| $20,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Decided against lab in favor of natural; ring currently being made |
| $20,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Fiance bought her a natural diamond ring for about $20,000; she now wants to sell it for a lab diamond given they have bills, but he refuses |
| $20,000 | Natural diamond | 3.7 ct | marquise | – | 2026 | Jeweler pitched it as a great deal and pressured a same-day decision; buyer thinks the price was near this figure, still inside the return window while she decides |
| $21,000 | Natural diamond | 2.02 ct | cushion | platinum | – | Platinum-set 2.02ct cushion diamond, excellent polish/very good symmetry, strong blue fluorescence, conflict-free Canadian-origin stone; now being resold |
| $21,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | – | – | 2005 | Bought about 20+ years before this 2025 comment; buyer now unconcerned about resale value on a planned lab anniversary ring |
| $21,000 | Natural diamond | 2.58 ct | – | – | – | GIA triple excellent; writer notes IF stones get a bigger discount than VVS since fewer buyers want to pay the IF markup |
| $21,000 | Natural diamond | 2.9 ct | – | – | 1999 | Her second engagement; center solitaire with channel-set side stones totaling about 1.0ct |
| $22,000 | Natural diamond | 1.74 ct | – | – | 2017 | Price husband paid, worked out from a jeweler's $25k asking suggestion (~$3k above cost); the affinity ideal cut is Adiamor's own term. |
| $22,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Engagement ring bought before a divorce, still insured/appraised at the original $22k purchase price |
| $22,000 | Natural diamond | 2.2 ct | oval | gold | 2026 | 2.2ct elongated oval diamond with a hidden halo, bought in the US for $22k, later appraised at £35k GBP by a UK jeweler for insurance. |
| $22,000 | Natural diamond | 3.8 ct | cushion | two tone | 2025 | Antique old mine cushion diamond ring originally quoted around $25k fully set in 18k gold and platinum; final numbers landed at $21.5k-$22.5k, plans to reset into a new setting later |
| $23,000 | Natural diamond | 1.7 ct | – | – | 2023 | Diamond alone was 20k, setting added about 3k more; bought on Blue Nile; no fluorescence, 62.9% depth |
| $23,000 | Natural diamond | 3.51 ct | – | – | 2023 | Old mine cut, color in the S-T range, bought about 3 years before this comment |
| $23,000 | Natural diamond | 2.7 ct | round | – | 2026 | Recent purchase, natural round diamond with no certification |
| $24,000 | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | – | – | – | Described as super ideal cut; upgrade from a 0.75ct IF I-color original ring bought years earlier |
| $24,000 | Natural diamond | 1.75 ct | – | – | – | Her ex-husband bought this natural diamond ring for her more than 20 years before the comment |
| $25,000 | Natural diamond | 2.01 ct | pear | – | – | Solitaire band, described as basically just the cost of the stone |
| $25,000 | Natural diamond | 1.5 ct | – | – | 2022 | Writer was quoted a branded patented-cut diamond at Diamonds Direct but bought this nicer stone at Tiffany's instead |
| $25,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2023 | Bought about a month before the comment |
| $25,000 | Natural diamond | 1.89 ct | round | – | 2023 | Cathedral setting with diamond accents; total covers stone and setting together |
| $25,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | round | platinum | – | Bought from a motivated seller; GIA graded cut and symmetry VG, uncommon for an old European cut; appraised 2018 |
| $25,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | – | – | 2015 | Writer's own ring bought about 10 years before this comment, used as a comparison point against the asker's stone |
| $25,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | oval | – | 2016 | Halo setting; cost stated as of 10 years before this comment |
| $25,400 | Natural diamond | 2.02 ct | cushion | – | 2013 | Bought in 2013; writer doubts she could resell for the later $48,000 appraisal, maybe just recoup what was paid |
| $26,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | princess | – | 2004 | Bought before lab-grown diamonds were a mainstream option; writer says the price for the same size and quality has changed dramatically since |
| $26,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Writer describes the diamond as small despite the price; avoided going into debt |
| $27,000 | Natural diamond | 2.51 ct | oval | – | 2022 | 2.51ct natural stone bought at Diamonds Direct through her fiance's personal jeweler contact; buyers cited the price as about $27k (one said $25k); independent appraisal came in $6k above what was paid |
| $27,700 | Natural diamond | 2.23 ct | oval | platinum | 2025 | 2.23 ct E VS2 natural oval, excellent polish, VG symmetry, no fluorescence, platinum pave setting with a hidden sapphire and diamond; buyers noted a visible bow tie despite the price |
| $28,000 | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | round | rose gold | – | AGS-000 H&A branded ideal cut from Crafted by Infinity/High Performance Diamonds; insured value now above what was paid despite market softening |
| $29,000 | Natural diamond | 2.52 ct | – | – | 2025 | Her fiance, a bartender, bought her this natural diamond ring |
| $29,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | round | – | 2005 | 2.90ct total engagement ring: 2.00ct round center plus two pear-shape side stones; separate 1.25ct 5-stone wedding band, its price not given |
| $29,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | round | – | – | His wife's diamond ring; paid this but says resale value is poor and he can't sell it |
| $29,775 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Husband worked with their jeweler on a design set with 3 natural diamonds; writer saw the receipt though he wouldn't tell her the cost |
| $30,000 | Natural diamond | – | oval | two tone | 2025 | Oval I/SI1 GIA natural diamond; total with an 18k gold and platinum-prong setting plus birthstones added inside the band came to $30,000 |
| $30,000 | Natural diamond | 1.81 ct | oval | platinum | 2023 | Custom platinum setting with two 3x5mm pear side stones matching the center's color; all-in price including tax, ring not finished yet so buyer expects it may end up a bit less |
| $30,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | A similar ring from the writer's previous relationship, not lab-grown, given for comparison |
| $30,000 | Natural diamond | 2.6 ct | – | – | – | Good specs on the natural center stone; included a lab-diamond travel replica bundled with the purchase |
| $30,000 | Natural diamond | 2.7 ct | round | – | – | She asked for lab or moissanite but husband bought natural; visible inclusions, lower clarity; he earned about 10x the asker's pay then |
| $30,000 | Natural diamond | – | round | – | 2008 | Husband spent this on her engagement ring 18 years before this post, while she was considering selling it now |
| $30,000 | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | pear | – | 2011 | Husband bought a mined pear-shaped diamond; she dislikes the shape and plans to buy her preferred shape after 15 years of marriage |
| $30,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | – | – | – | Buyer's own natural diamond ring, cited to argue the asker's lab ring was reasonably priced |
| $30,000 | Natural diamond | 2.4 ct | – | – | 2020 | Costco diamond, color D, writer called it 'flawless' but graded VS1; said a same-spec Tiffany ring would cost roughly double |
| $30,000 | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | – | – | – | Wife wanted natural; couple rented their home an extra year to afford it; no regret years later |
| $31,000 | Natural diamond | 3.9 ct | cushion | – | – | Stone sourced direct from a wholesaler via jeweler with a small finder's fee; writer estimates the ring is worth upwards of $40k |
| $32,000 | Natural diamond | 1.65 ct | – | platinum | – | Three-stone natural diamond ring, not directly comparable in style to the asker's solitaire; center about 20k, platinum setting about 12k |
| $32,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Husband bought her a Tiffany ring; writer says she strongly prefers natural over lab diamonds |
| $32,000 | Natural diamond | 4 ct | – | – | – | Husband paid for a flawless 4-carat natural diamond ring; marriage later ended and she tried to sell it |
| $32,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2024 | NYC independent jeweler matched a diamond (color, clarity, triple excellent, no fluorescence) Tiffany had listed at $65k, for about half the price |
| $32,500 | Natural diamond | 1.19 ct | oval | – | 2025 | Tiffany Soleste Oval solitaire; writer only gave a range (more than $20k, less than $45k) rather than an exact figure |
| $33,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Exactly what his wife wanted; he'd also just bought himself a sports car around the same time |
| $33,000 | Natural diamond | 1.69 ct | round | – | 2008 | Flawless round natural diamond, bought 18 years before this comment |
| $33,000 | Natural diamond | 2.26 ct | cushion | – | 2013 | Mined cushion diamond bought 13 years before the comment; stone and setting priced separately |
| $34,000 | Natural diamond | 3.26 ct | oval | – | – | Bought in NYC's diamond district |
| $35,000 | Natural diamond | 3.25 ct | round | – | 2020 | Paid mid-$30k range in March 2020 for a 3.25ct round VVS1 natural diamond, color one grade from best but not recalled |
| $35,000 | Natural diamond | 3.1 ct | – | – | – | Buyer's own antique old mine cut, called it roughly the same as the asker's stated $30-40k budget |
| $35,000 | Natural diamond | 3.26 ct | oval | platinum | – | Bought some years before the comment; appraised well above the purchase price |
| $35,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Chose natural over lab for status reasons as high-earning DINKs; wanted a ring size 2ct or larger signaling effort and prestige rather than a cheap-looking lab stone |
| $35,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2013 | Husband paid for an upgrade in 2013; writer says they'd have picked lab instead if it had been affordable and available then |
| $36,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | – | – | – | 3 ct natural stone (~$30k) plus $6k Tacori setting; writer earns about $150k/year; wife rarely wears it now due to work gloves |
| $37,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | oval | – | 2000 | 3ct oval center diamond plus about 2ct of surrounding diamonds, all natural; now rarely worn because it's heavy, replaced day-to-day by three thin ~$800 stacking bands |
| $40,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2024 | Custom Toi et Moi ring being made for a proposal next month; writer also considered a 6-carat lab alternative around 25000 but wanted a natural stone |
| $40,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | The couple's current ring, said to be around $40k; Tiffany reportedly held it for 2 years before they bought it |
| $40,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | – | platinum | – | Partial cathedral channel set, plus about 1 additional carat of diamonds set into the band |
| $40,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Second natural ring, paid for by insurance after she lost the first; later sold for 22k and switched to a lab diamond |
| $42,000 | Natural diamond | 4.04 ct | round | – | – | AGS-ideal round natural diamond bought for his wife; she loves it for the sparkle, not the price |
| $43,000 | Natural diamond | – | round | – | – | Carat stated as just over 3; hidden halo |
| $43,000 | Natural diamond | 2.7 ct | round | – | 2025 | Second upgrade, round brilliant cut |
| $45,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | cushion | white gold | – | Custom-made ring with a natural cushion center just over 3ct plus two matching natural side stones in 14k white gold, stone sourced from Belgium; Blue Nile pricing for similar specs looked comparable |
| $45,000 | Natural diamond | 3 ct | – | – | – | Described as super ideal cut; $40k of the $45k total was the center diamond alone |
| $45,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2025 | Bought about a week before the comment, plus taxes; appraisal came out somewhat higher but not triple |
| $48,000 | Natural diamond | 4 ct | princess | platinum | 2005 | Custom channel-set center with six 1+ carat princess-cut rose-gold side stones, low profile thick shank for durability |
| $48,000 | Natural diamond | 2.6 ct | – | – | – | Buyer's own ring, a 2.6ct eye-clean fancy yellow center stone with almost 6 ctw total, cited as a genuine example at about the same price as the cruise ring's asking price |
| $49,000 | Natural diamond | 3.08 ct | – | – | – | Insures it for $360 a year as one of over a dozen pieces on a single policy |
| $49,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Husband wanted her to have a bigger natural stone |
| $50,000 | Natural diamond | 3.11 ct | pear | – | – | Halo setting |
| $50,000 | Natural diamond | 3.21 ct | oval | – | – | Original budget was under $40k but raised it once a stone hit every C without compromise |
| $50,000 | Natural diamond | 3.5 ct | – | – | 2015 | Engagement ring held about 10 years at time of comment; writer also owns a separate lab 5ct right-hand ring, not counted here |
| $50,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2025 | Bought a ring she was thrilled with and could easily afford, paid for herself |
| $50,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | First husband's proposal ring, bought before lab-grown diamonds existed as an option |
| $53,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | 2023 | Bought a pre-owned Tiffany solitaire at auction for $53k versus its $110k-115k Tiffany retail price. |
| $53,000 | Natural diamond | 6.4 ct | princess | – | 2025 | 6.4-carat natural princess cut with hidden halo and detailed band, picked while trying on rings blindfolded at a store |
| $55,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Her own Tiffany engagement ring cost $55,000, cited to explain her skepticism about the $5,500 secondhand ring |
| $55,000 | Natural diamond | 2.53 ct | – | platinum | 2005 | GIA-certified upgrade with top color and clarity; writer wishes lab diamonds had existed back then since they look the same |
| $55,000 | Natural diamond | 2.1 ct | – | platinum | – | One of the 'cheaper' diamonds on display at Tiffany; $22k down, rest financed for 12 months same-as-cash |
| $55,000 | Natural diamond | 2.5 ct | emerald | – | – | Framed as an investment and future family heirloom; writer says she was embarrassed by the cost |
| $57,500 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Tried to maximize spec value for the budget rather than paying for a designer name |
| $60,000 | Natural diamond | 3.38 ct | round | – | 2026 | 3.38ct natural round E VVS1 excellent-cut ring, almost $60,000; cited to show many big stones seen online are actually lab grown |
| $63,000 | Natural diamond | 3.6 ct | – | – | – | Writer's ex bought her a 3.6ct natural diamond ring; she later sold it years afterward for far less. |
| $70,000 | Natural diamond | 3.3 ct | oval | – | 2019 | 3.3ct D VVS2 natural oval bought in 2019 |
| $70,000 | Natural diamond | 2.56 ct | – | – | – | Fancy vivid yellow diamond, 2.56ct, gift from husband; cited to help judge whether the asker's inherited yellow stone could really be a diamond |
| $70,000 | Natural diamond | 3.01 ct | emerald | platinum | – | Tapered baguettes 0.25ct each; got wholesale pricing through a trusted jeweler |
| $70,000 | Natural diamond | 2.8 ct | round | – | 2022 | Bought by her in-laws through a jeweler who has known the family for years; writer also cites a diamond-pricing site showing similar prices for the specs |
| $73,000 | Natural diamond | 2 ct | – | – | 2026 | 2-carat Graff diamond; writer says the mine is owned by the brand and is ethically operated |
| $80,000 | Natural diamond | 6.05 ct | round | – | 2026 | 6.05ct K SI2 antique old European cut diamond found after a long personal search; deposit paid, pickup in August; plans a new vintage-style setting; funded partly by trading in her old emerald-cut ring |
| $82,000 | Natural diamond | – | – | – | – | Paid full retail for a natural diamond Tiffany ring years ago; it depreciated sharply and they later switched to lab diamonds |
| $98,000 | Natural diamond | 5 ct | – | – | 2004 | 5ct natural diamond engagement ring, proposed with; later sold at a large loss |
| $100,000 | Natural diamond | 3.5 ct | cushion | – | 2024 | Custom elongated-cushion cut from a 4+ct rough down to 3.5ct to avoid crushed ice; roughly $100k total for stone, recut and setting |
| $135,000 | Natural diamond | 4.08 ct | – | – | 2017 | 4.08ct fancy yellow diamond with trillion side stones; her last upgrade, bought about 9 years before the comment |
| $168,050 | Natural diamond | 6.01 ct | – | – | – | Says this cost about $160k more than the asker's $8,050 ring; a natural 6.01-ct IF G diamond |
Sources and method
Price reports on this page come from 284 public discussions where buyers answered in their own words. Each comment that stated what someone paid became one row; notes are paraphrased, never quoted.
The largest discussions used here (60)
- 2026-01: Confused and disappointed in my ring (2212 comments)
- 2026-01: Update on 30k ring. See last post for more details (1100 comments)
- 2026-01: Ring will be around 23k-35k. NEED ADVICE (1050 comments)
- 2025-04: What's your carat size? (930 comments)
- 2026-04: my girlfriend told me she wants a 2 carat natural diamond or she'll say no. i already bought this lab diamond ring. am i crazy for thinking shes a red flag (898 comments)
- 2026-09: What do you guys think of this heart engagement ring I picked out for my girlfriend? (823 comments)
- 2026-08: Mom says I need to spend three months of my salary on an engagement ring. I found one for way less. Is that wrong? (792 comments)
- 2026-08: Spent $4,000 at Swarovski… should I return everything? Trying to build a jewelry collection and now I’m having second thoughts. (725 comments)
- 2025-01: How much did you pay? (703 comments)
- 2023-08: Am I wrong to buy a lab diamond? (655 comments)
- 2023-09: The lab diamond Vs. natural debate is a CONSTANT fierce battle in jeweler groups. There are 185,000 people in here, I want your real opinions on WHY you chose a natural or lab diamond. I'll share the most upvoted 20 replies with the jeweler communities I'm in to try and give them some perspective. (602 comments)
- 2026-02: Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring - Did I let her down? (600 comments)
- 2003-03: The Forum Engagement Ring Folder/Eye Candy (599 comments)
- 2025-05: Neighbor’s natural 5 carat just got smeared at and I’m laughing. (580 comments)
- 2025-12: How do all my friends have such huge engagement rings? (573 comments)
- 2025-03: Do people actually spend 3 months salary on a ring? (539 comments)
- 2026-01: I don’t mean this rudely at all but is everyone posting here marrying rich guys or are my standards just not attuned to what the norm is these days? (533 comments)
- 2026-08: I want to propose. She wants a natural diamond. I want to buy her a ring that doesn't destroy our finances (526 comments)
- 2026-01: Happily engaged… but not happy with my ring 🥹 Looking for advice. (456 comments)
- 2023-12: To all the dealers trashing Lab Diamonds (430 comments)
- 2025-12: would you be okay with a lab-grown diamond engagement ring? (415 comments)
- 2026-03: Am I crazy for wanting a $6k ring? (412 comments)
- 2024-07: A bit different: No engagement ring (409 comments)
- 2025-04: GF said not to spend more than $500 on a ring. I spent $2500 on the set. Did I do well at least? (400 comments)
- 2022-10: How much y’all paying for your engagement rings? (399 comments)
- 2023-09: Hi, I’ve been planning on proposing for a while and my girlfriend has talked about how she’s always wanted a solitaire princess cut. My grandmother recently gifted me this ring and my girlfriend does not know about it yet. (393 comments)
- 2026-07: PSA: do not buy an engagement ring from Tiffany’s (372 comments)
- 2023-04: Why does everyone have a HUGE diamond these days? (370 comments)
- 2025-03: Did I mess up? (369 comments)
- 2026-04: Did I overpay for 13 carat lab diamond ring? (363 comments)
- 2024-11: Would you rather have a 1 carat natural or a 3 carat lab diamond? (360 comments)
- 2023-09: What do you consider expensive for a wedding ring? (355 comments)
- 2025-10: For everyone who has a diamond ring; is yours a natural or a lab-grown diamond? (355 comments)
- 2026-01: Has anyone noticed how people treat lab-grown diamonds differently in real life? (352 comments)
- 2024-03: Genuine question (and I mean no offense to anyone!)... Why would you choose to pay for a natural diamond when you can get an equally beautiful lab diamond for approx 1/3 of the price? (341 comments)
- 2026-02: Is this diamond worth the price? (339 comments)
- 2022-10: Is everyone here super rich? 😅 (336 comments)
- 2026-05: MEN of SG, how much did you spend on your engagement ring? (333 comments)
- 2023-06: Am I the Ass hole for not listening to my wife “3 years salary ring rule” (333 comments)
- 2024-03: I bought a beautiful lab grown ring and she had it appraised 2 weeks after engagement (332 comments)
- 2026-01: How to convince myself to not want a natural diamond? Or is it worth the sentimental value? (326 comments)
- 2023-04: Lab grown diamonds are not "fake" diamonds. (308 comments)
- 2024-01: Ring size/income (304 comments)
- 2024-06: Do women really care if a diamond is lab grown or mined? (302 comments)
- 2025-08: ELI5: Lab Grown Diamonds vs Traditional (302 comments)
- 2026-05: How much should a man spend on an engagement ring? (300 comments)
- 2024-11: Not meant to be a negative post/turn into a debate, but since lab diamonds are coming more into the mainstream and are becoming more accepted, what happens to the natural diamond industry? (295 comments)
- 2023-07: I know she will love it, but now I’m nervous that I overpaid (290 comments)
- 2024-05: Share your Chunky Rings! (288 comments)
- 2025-04: What carat was your engagement ring? (280 comments)
- 2025-12: What would you reply to someone asking if your diamond ring was “real” or lab? (276 comments)
- 2025-01: 1.3 Carat - Is this too small on me? (273 comments)
- 2025-10: For people with diamond rings, do you have a natural or lab diamond? (270 comments)
- 2023-11: Found this particular ring at Costco Wholesale, is it a good quality ring for the price? (264 comments)
- 2026-03: Show me your simple engagement rings (260 comments)
- 2026-05: What’s wrong with a fiancée wanting engagement diamond ring? (260 comments)
- 2023-03: How do people afford engagement rings?! (258 comments)
- 2026-05: So disappointed with jeweler’s bait and switch (257 comments)
- 2026-08: Thoughts on tiffany engagement rings (255 comments)
- 2025-04: For those who have a ring costing 30-50k usd, what does it look like? (252 comments)
- and 224 more, all in the dataset
Every natural diamond ring here is one a buyer said they paid for, with the stone named. Quotes not taken, price bounds, rings reported second-hand and resets of a family stone are left out.