What to Consider When Buying a Rare and Exceptional 5 Carat Diamond Ring
How to Select the Best 5 Carat Diamond to Make a Statement
W ithin the luxury engagement ring market, a 5 carat diamond is considered a large and rare stone. Learn everything you need to know to select a stunning 5 carat diamond ring.
Why a 5 Carat Diamond Ring?
Luxury buyers looking for a 5 carat diamond ring are looking to make a statement since less than 1% of diamonds are 5 carats or larger. A 5 carat diamond is large enough to display any shape's brilliance and sparkle, especially the most popular cut, the emerald cut diamond. At 5 carats, the unique qualities of natural diamonds and the expertise required to create each shape takes center stage in a way not possible with smaller stones. The opportunity to showcase a 5 carat diamond in a unique setting is also an important consideration for luxury buyers. While a 5 carat high quality diamond is always stunning on a simple platinum or 18 carat gold band, the diamond size allows the opportunity to customize with complimentary side stones and even colored diamonds or gem stones without taking attention away from the center stone.
When shopping for a 5 carat diamond ring, Sotheby's recommends only considering a diamond with a minimum clarity grade of VS2 or higher. VS2 stands for ‘very slightly included’, the inclusions are the small lesions that can be seen within the diamond. The best clarity is an ‘FL diamond’, which stands for flawless. The highest color rating is D for colorless. As the clarity improves, the price also increases due to rarity. Color is also an important consideration when buying a high quality 5 carat diamond ring. We recommend a minimum of G color which is at the top of the Near Colorless range for white diamonds. Finally cut is the final factor to consider. For a round stone we recommend looking for a diamond that has an Excellent cut grade and fancy shaped diamonds Very Good cut stone or better. The premium for a D Flawless 5 carat diamond ring is material and something to consider if you are looking for a truly exceptional and rare diamond but not a necessity for purchasing a beautiful high quality 5 carat diamond ring. Additionally at the 5 carat size, some luxury buyers are looking for Type IIa diamonds, which are the most chemically pure type of diamond and often have exceptional optical transparency.
A 5 carat diamond ring is also a popular size with celebrity buyers. Christina Aguilera received a 5 carat diamond ring from Jordan Bratman in 2005. Tom Cruise gave Katie Holmes a 5 carat oval engagement ring in 2005. Ashton Kutcher proposed to Mila Kunis with a simple 5 carat ring and married in 2015.
What 5 Carat Diamond Ring Shape is Best?
The best diamond shape for a 5 carat diamond ring is a matter of personal preference. We have provided more details on the most popular diamond shapes for 5 carat diamonds.
Emerald Cut
One of the most popular cuts for a 5 carat diamond according to search data is a 5 carat emerald diamond ring. 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. A 4 carat emerald cut diamond ring is a popular choice for someone looking for a diamond that is more sleek and modern. The stepped facets and open table emphasize clarity and inclusions will be more visible in this cut. 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 come in a range of ratios that allow for more variability. An Asscher cut diamond is similar to 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.
Oval Cut
The other very popular diamond shape for a 5 carat diamond ring is a 5 carat oval diamond ring. A 5 carat oval diamond ring is a nice alternative to round brilliant and will also look bigger because of the shape and cut. The modern oval cut 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 cut 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 cut diamonds are the second most expensive diamond shape after round due to retaining more carat weight during cutting. Demand for the oval diamonds has also caused the prices to rise recently.
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 is a nice alternative to the more common emerald cut and oval diamond. A 5 carat pear shaped diamond ring is a choice that combines the best of a round and marquise diamond.
Round Brilliant Cut
The round brilliant cut diamond has been the most popular since the 1900s for smaller diamonds but is less popular for luxury buyers looking for a 5 carat diamond ring. 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. All other cut diamonds are collectively called fancy cut diamonds. Round brilliant cut diamonds are generally the most expensive shape because of the highest demand and the most waste is created when cutting this shape.
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. While it can take longer to source a high quality rectangle 5 carat cushion cut stone, Sotheby's is happy to assist. Cushion cut diamonds are also popular with buyers that are looking for a more vintage look.
Marquise
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 that are looking for a 5 carat diamond are also often looking for unique shape that can be personalized in a one of a kind setting.
5 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 also discover unbelievably unique and rare 5 carat diamond rings in fancy colored diamonds. While the prices for fancy colored yellow diamond ring in VS clarity can start around $65,000, as the intensity of the color improves, the price can increase rapidly. A Tiffany and Co Fancy Vivid Yellow Diamond Ring weighing 5.46 carats sold for $277,000 in 2022. Fancy pink and blue diamonds are much more rare especially at 5 carats and the prices are significantly higher. Sotheby's sold a Fancy Brownish Pink Diamond Ring weighing 5.11 carats for about $310,000 in 2023. If you are looking for a 5 carat fancy pink, blue or green diamond ring, a jewelry specialist or salon associate would be happy to assist.
How much is a 5 Carat Diamond Ring
How much is a 5 carat diamond ring depends on many factors. The starting price for a 5 carat diamond ring that is VS2 clarity and G color starts around $65,000 to about $120,000 depending on the cut. Cut is the most important variable influencing the price of a 5 carat diamond ring. Other variables include the brand, provenance and the overall polish of the diamond. A 5 carat fancy colored diamond in a similar clarity is generally significantly more depending the the color of the diamond and the overall rarity and quality of the diamond. The setting can also factor into the price of a 5 carat diamond ring. A Toi et Moi ring could be twice as expensive if both diamonds are around 5 carats. At the very top of the diamond quality scale, a D Flawless 5 carat diamond price starts around $500,000 depending on the cut of diamond. The prices of 5 carat diamonds at the very high end of the quality scale can vary widely. Sotheby's recommends only purchasing a 5 carat diamond ring with a GIA certificate.
Buying a 5 Carat Diamond Ring at Sotheby's
Sotheby's sells natural 5 carat diamond rings on its marketplace, available for immediate shipping. Along with high quality diamond rings VS clarity and G color or better, Sotheby's also sells 5 carat diamond rings from top luxury brands including Harry Winston, Tiffany, Cartier and more. Sotheby's also sells 5 carat diamond rings at auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris and Hong Kong. You can also contact a Client Advisor in New York or Bucherer in Zurich to learn more about Sotheby's engagement rings. In addition to the available 5 carat diamond rings listed on marketplace or available at auction, Sotheby's is also able to source a 5 carat diamond engagement ring from its global supplier network. Browse our curated selection online and reach out to a Salon associate to schedule a viewing.
