Make the Million Dollar Leap with a 20 Carat Diamond Ring
The Complete Guide to Purchasing an Exceptional High Jewelry Million Dollar + 20 Carat Diamond Ring.
Whether you are looking for a 20 carat diamond ring to propose or celebrate an important milestone, we have compiled the key factors you need to consider when making the million dollar leap.
Why a 20 Carat Diamond Ring
There are many reasons buyers are looking for a 20 carat diamond ring. Most clients are shopping for an impressive engagement ring, an anniversary/upgrade ring or they are want to celebrate an important milestone. Rarity is one of the key factors luxury buyers are attracted to a 20 carat diamond. As diamonds get larger, there are fewer high quality diamonds available in the market. The visual impact of a 20 carat diamond is also impressive and still appropriate for every day. A 20 carat round diamond is about 20.3 to 21.0 millimeters in diameter or the size of a US dime. Natural large high quality diamonds are also more likely to retain value and/or increase in value versus smaller more common diamonds. At 20 carats, the distinct qualities of the diamond cut and polish also become more visible and the unique qualities of the diamond are more apparent. A 20 carat diamond also allows for many ways to customize the setting without detracting from the 20 carat diamond.
How to Select a 20 Carat Diamond Ring
When looking for a 20 carat diamond ring, we suggest starting with a budget and considering a few diamond shapes. Most buyers at this price start with a minimum budget of $1 million. While it is possible to find slightly lower quality 20 carat diamonds under $1 million, the size of the diamond makes the color and quality more apparent. The most popular cuts for a 20 carat diamond are Oval, Pear Shape and Emerald Cut. If you want a rectangular shape, cushion cut or radiant cut are also potential options. Diamonds that are 20 carats and larger are all unique and the polish and exact dimensions of the cut can alter the overall brilliance and sparkle of the diamond. We suggest comparing a few diamonds before deciding what 20 carat diamond is best for you. Buyers looking for a 20 carat diamond should also anticipate it may take time to view a few options. We also suggest some flexibility on the exact carat weight. You may also want to factor in time to create the ideal setting for your 20 carat diamond.
When shopping for a 20 carat diamond ring, Sotheby’s specialists suggest looking for a natural diamond that has been expertly cut and has a high clarity and color rating. As the carat weight increases, the flaws in the diamond are more visible. While you can start at a clarity grade of VVS1, we generally recommend diamonds that are either Flawless or Internally Flawless. A Flawless 20 carat diamond will have no visible inclusions to the naked eye or through a loop. The best color for a diamond is a D color diamond. When looking for a high quality 20 carat white diamond we suggest looking for D or E color graded diamonds. Cut is also an essential attribute for choosing a high quality 20 carat diamond. The cut directly influences the brilliance of the stone. For a round stone we recommend looking for a diamond with an Excellent cut grade and fancy shaped diamonds Very Good cut stone or better. Since a 20 carat diamond is at the high end of the luxury market, many buyers also choose a type IIa diamond. Type IIa diamonds are the purest form of diamonds with no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities. These are extremely rare and comprise less and 2% of all mined diamonds. These diamonds are formed under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions which can give the diamond higher clarity and brilliance.
Type I and Type II Diamonds
About 95% of diamonds are Type Ia and contain trace amount of nitrogen. Most engagement rings and other diamond jewelry are made from Type Ia diamonds. Type Ib diamonds are often associated with intense canary yellow diamonds and are often used for jewelry. Type II diamonds are much rarer than Type I diamonds and have fewer inclusions and higher clarity than the more common Type I diamonds.
Type IIa diamonds are the purest form of diamonds with no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities. These diamonds are often colorless but can also be found in rare colors like pink, brown or blue. These are extremely rare and comprise less and 2% of all mined diamonds. These diamonds are formed under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions which can give the diamond higher clarity and brilliance. In 2023, Sotheby's sold an emerald cut 20.52 carat diamond ring that was D color, internally flawless and Type IIa for almost $2 million.
Type IIb diamonds contain boron which give them blue or grayish-blue color. Unlike other diamonds, Type IIb are semiconductors and can conduct electricity and are even rarer than Type IIa diamonds. The Hope Diamond is an example of a famous Type IIb diamond.
Famous Celebrity 20 Carat Diamond Rings
One of the most famous celebrity 20 carat diamond rings is the Lorraine Schwartz emerald cut 20 carat diamond ring Kanye West gave Kim Kardashian in 2016 valued at $4.5 million. Paris Hilton also received a 20 carat emerald cut diamond from Carter Reum in 2021 designed by Jean Dousset, the great-great-grandson of Louis Cartier. The ring is reportedly worth around $2 million. Beyonce's engagement ring from Jay-Z is also from Lorraine Schwartz and is an 18 carat emerald cut diamond valued at $5 million.
20 Carat Diamond Ring Price
Prices for 20 carat diamonds vary widely but prices generally start at $1 million for F color and VVS clarity. The price for a 20 carat diamond that is D or E at the top of the colorless scale and Flawless or Internally Flawless diamonds can vary widely because these diamonds are extremely rare in the market. In general, a budget of at least $1 million to $3 million is required to source a 20 carat diamond that is D or E color and Flawless or Internally Flawless. A Type IIa diamond is another important quality designation that can also increase the value of the diamond. A fancy intense or fancy vivid yellow diamond that is 20 carats is even rarer than a white diamond. A pink or blue 20 carat diamond is significantly rarer than a yellow diamond so expect to have a much larger budget for these diamonds. Sotheby's recommends only purchasing a 20 carat diamond ring with a GIA certificate.
Buying and Selling a 20 Carat Diamond Ring at Sotheby's
Once you are ready to buy a 20 carat diamond ring, Sotheby's has a few ways to find your milestone diamond ring. Sotheby's often has impressive 20 carat diamond rings and larger diamond rings at auction. Sotheby's also often has a small selection of large diamond rings available for immediate purchase on marketplace. If you would like to source a special High Jewelry 20 carat diamond ring, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's also provides custom high jewelry services and custom engagement ring services with loose 20 carat diamonds. Sotheby's is able to source rare and impressive 20 carat diamonds from its global supplier network so contact a salon associate or specialist for more details. Prices for 20 carat diamond rings generally require a minimum budget of $1 million and it can take time to source a few options.
- Explore upcoming jewelry auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong.
- Contact a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Speak to Jewelry Specialist about selling a 20 carat diamond ring.
Trust our worldwide network of leading jewelry specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.
