The Essential Buying Guide: 8 Carat Diamond Ring

Why an 8 carat diamond ring?

The possibilities for an 8 carat diamond ring are endless. A high quality 8 carat diamond is a rare find in the luxury market. A diamond that is 8 carats or larger will allow any diamond shape to exhibit its unique qualities and brilliance. It is always important to use the 4 C’s when shopping for a diamond of any size but when you are considering an 8 carat diamond ring there are certain specifications to consider. The size of an 8 carat diamond is roughly 13-14 mm in diameter, comparable to a typical shirt button. Depending on the style, cut, shape, and color an 8 carat diamond ring can be worn daily or for special occasions. An 8 carat diamond has many opportunities for customization and personalization. The most classic setting for an 8 carat diamond is a solitaire with a simple platinum or 18 karat gold band. Given the size of an 8 carat diamond, there are many setting options including baguettes and other diamonds to compliment the center diamond. Since 8 carat diamonds are so rare, expert diamond cutters usually cut diamonds to have the maximum brilliance. An 8 carat diamond in the luxury market is highly desired and not easy to find.

When shopping for an 8 carat diamond ring Sotheby’s suggests 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. Sotheby’s jewelry specialists recommend only considering a diamond with a clarity grade of VVS1 or higher. VVS stands for ‘very very slightly included’, the inclusions are small lesions visible within the diamonds. The highest clarity is ‘FL diamond’, which stands for flawless. A flawless 8 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. A D color 8 carat diamond has no undertones of yellow or brown. These diamonds are extremely rare. As color and clarity go up, so does the price of a diamond. We recommend only considering diamonds on the color scale ranging from D-F color, these are the best color grades for white diamonds. Cut is also an essential aspect of choosing a high quality 8 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. The premium price for a D Flawless 8 carat diamond ring is something to consider if you are looking for a truly exceptional and rare diamond. Since the carat weight for an 8 carat diamond is at the higher 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. In general, when it comes to an 8 carat diamond it's best to only look at the top tier for all of the 4 C’s.

Celebrities with 8 Carat Diamond Rings

An 8 carat diamond ring is even rare among celebrity engagement rings. Jennifer Lopez was proposed to by Marc Anthony with a 8.50 carat blue diamond engagement ring. The famous rap popstar Cardi B was proposed to by Offset with an 8 carat pear shaped engagement ring surrounded by a halo of diamonds. Tennis champion Caroline Wozniaki received an 8.9 carat oval diamond engagement ring set on a pave diamond band from former NBA player David Lee. Model Kate Upton received an 8 carat round diamond ring from Justin Verlander.

What 8 carat diamond ring shape is the best?

The most popular shapes for an 8 carat diamond are emerald, oval, round and pear shaped diamonds. That being said, the shape is very much a personal preference so we have provided more information on the different diamond shapes.

Oval Diamond

An 8 carat oval diamond ring is a classic in high demand based on current trends in the luxury market. The modern oval diamond was invented by Lazare Kaplan in 1957. Since an oval diamond is elongated and the cut is more shallow, the weight of the stone is more distributed making the stone look bigger. An oval diamond has 58 facets and has a similar brilliance as a round brilliant cut diamond. Oval diamonds can exhibit shadows called the "bow tie effect" based on the cut and something to consider when comparing stones. Oval diamonds can show more inclusions because of the shallow cutting technique. At a large carat wight like an 8 carat diamond, it is important to go for oval cut diamonds that are VVS or FL diamonds.

Emerald Cut & Asscher Cut

The emerald cut diamond is one of the oldest shapes dating back to the 1500s and was originally used for cutting emeralds. The emerald cut diamond became popular during the Art Deco era of the 1920s to 1930s. An 8 carat emerald cut diamond is a popular choice for someone looking for a diamond that is sleek and modern. The stepped facets and open table emphasize the clarity and the inclusions. Inclusions will be more visible in emerald cuts. Emerald cut diamonds also appear larger than the same size round stone due to the weight of the stone being more on the surface. An emerald cut diamond, like the oval and cushion cut diamond also comes in a range of ratios that allow for more variability. An Asscher cut diamond is similar to an emerald but is square with deeply trimmed corners. The Asscher cut was developed by the Royal Asscher Diamond Company in Amsterdam in 1902 and first gained popularity during the Art Deco era and then experienced a resurgence in the early 2000s. Since emerald cuts show the most inclusions it's best to choose an internally flawless diamond (IF) or Flawless (F) grade diamond.

Round Brilliant Cut

The round brilliant cut diamond has been the most popular shape since the 1900s. It has 52 facets and is the most classic choice mounted on a simple platinum band. The round brilliant cut diamond is also versatile with many different settings and wedding bands. All other cut diamonds are collectively called fancy cut diamonds. Round brilliant cuts are the only shape that can achieve the cut grade rating of ‘Triple Excellent Cut’. This means the light refraction is the most exceptional out of any other cut. When it comes to color, the color is often masked by the round shape so you can get away with a lower color grade like F or G. Also you can be more lenient with the clarity grade and go from VS1/VS2 as an acceptable range to consider. A round brilliant cut is an excellent choice to show off the size of an 8 carat diamond.

Pear Shaped

The pear shaped diamond is also referred to as the teardrop and was invented in 1475 by Lodewyk van Bercken. The pear shaped diamond has 58 facets and can appear larger than the same carat weight round diamond. While the best proportions for a pear shaped diamond is in part personal, some cuts can result in light leakage or a bow tie effect in the center of the stone. This unique shape can be set in multiple ways and stands out . Opting for a lower clarity in a pear shaped diamond is a way to bring down the price a little. However, it is important to stick with the highest color grades when it comes to an 8 carat pear shaped diamond because the color is most noticeable in this shape. D or E colored diamonds are the best for a pear shaped diamond.

Cushion Cut

The cushion cut diamond has rounded corners and is often referred to as the "old new classic" based on its origins. The cushion cut diamond's origins are based on the Old Mine cut, which dates back to the 1700s. The Old Mine cut was the most common diamond shape until the early 1900s. The modern cushion cut diamond typically has 64 facets versus only 58 facets for the Old Mine cut. A rectangular cushion cut often appears larger than a square stone at the same carat weight, so this shape is often preferred by engagement ring buyers. The most important consideration when it comes to a cushion-cut diamond is the ratio. The best ratio for a cushion cut diamond is a 1:15, this will give the most elongated cushion. Being mindful of the finger coverage is important for a cushion cut of 8 carat weight. 8 carat cushion cut rings also look great with additional side stones.

Marquise Diamond

The marquise diamond typically has 58 facets, similar to the round brilliant cut, which maximizes its brilliance and fire. The cut’s elongated shape and pointed ends require precise symmetry and proportions to ensure optimal light performance and avoid a "bow-tie" effect, a dark area that can appear across the center of the diamond. While the marquise diamond is less popular in the mass market today, luxury buyers who are looking for a 8 carat diamond ring are also often looking for a unique shape that can be personalized in a one-of-a-kind setting.

Radiant Cut

Radiant cut diamonds give off maximum sparkle due to their 70 facets. A radiant cut is known to be mesmerizing because of the way the stone refracts the light. Because radiant cuts have a large open table, there is more visibility to the center of the stone. Therefore color is the most important consideration when it comes to picking an 8 carat diamond radiant cut engagement ring. Sotheby's specialist suggests only considering D or E colored diamonds. For clarity of a radiant diamond, you can get away with a lower clarity due to the plentiful facet structure. The facet structure masks inclusions well so you can go for a VS1 or VS2 diamond. Radiant cuts look great in a three stone or solitaire engagement ring setting.

Princess Cut

The princess cut has been popular since the 1980s, and historians believe the term princess cut was first used in the 1960s. The princess cut diamond evolved from the French Cut as diamond cutters became more sophisticated in facet placement to optimize light. The overall appearance of a princess cut diamond will look smaller than the round since the diamond is cut deeper so more carat weight is below the surface area. The square shape is popular for being more modern than the round but still provides plenty of sparkle. Depending on the setting, the princess cut can be more prone to chipping due to the sharp corners.

8 Carat Colored Diamond Ring

Only about 1 in 10,000 diamonds is a natural fancy colored diamond. Colors include yellow being the most common while red is the rarest and most expensive. Luxury buyers are increasingly interested in fancy colored pink, blue, and green diamonds as engagement rings. On Sotheby's marketplace, you can discover unique and rare fancy colored diamond engagement rings. While the prices for fancy colored yellow diamond rings in VS2 clarity can start around $500,000 as the intensity of the color improves, the price can increase rapidly. Fancy pink and blue diamonds are much more rare, especially at 8 carats and the prices are significantly higher. Sotheby's sold a square-cut fancy vivid blue diamond weighing 8.01 carats, signed by Cartier for $19.5 million. This rare blue diamond was also classified as a type IIb diamond. If you are looking for an 8 carat fancy pink, blue or green diamond ring, a jewelry specialist or salon associate would be happy to assist.

How much is an 8 Carat Diamond Ring?

The price of an 8 carat diamond ring depends on many factors. The starting price for an 8 carat solitaire diamond ring that is F color and VVS1 clarity starts around $600,000 to $700,000 depending on the cut. Cut is the most important variable influencing the price of an 8 carat diamond ring. Other variables include the brand, provenance and the overall polish of the diamond. An 8 carat fancy colored diamond in a similar clarity is generally significantly more depending on the color of the diamond and the overall rarity and quality of the diamond. Sotheby's recommends only purchasing a 8 carat diamond ring with a GIA certificate.

Buying and Selling an 8 Carat Diamond Ring At Sotheby's

Sotheby's often has impressive 8 carat diamond rings available at auction. Sotheby's also often has a small selection of 8 carat diamond rings available for immediate purchase on marketplace. Sotheby's also sells 8 carat diamond rings from top luxury brands including Harry Winston, Tiffany, Cartierm Graff and more. If you would like to source an 8 carat diamond ring, a salon specialist would be happy to assist. Sotheby's also provides custom engagement ring services featuring an 8 carat diamond. Sotheby's is able to source an incredible 8 carat diamond from its global supplier network.

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