A diamond is a symbol of elegance and beauty. It sparkles like a shining star on your finger. If you wear a 4 carat diamond on special occasions, it will surely make your day even more special.
But what does 4 carat mean?
Carat signifies the weight of a diamond. A four-carat diamond weighs nearly 0.8 grams. Now, you might not think that this is much, but according to national and international standards, a four-carat diamond is considered quite a big one.
How Big is a 4 Carat Diamond?
The size of a 4 carat diamond depends on the size and shape of the cut. If you choose a round 4 carat ring, it has a diameter of almost 10.2 mm. But if you choose a marquise-shaped 4 carat diamond ring, it is 16 by 8 mm.
Additionally, if a 4 carat diamond loses its shine, it appears to be of a smaller diameter.
A 4 carat diamond of perfect cut, shape, color, and clarity is quite expensive and rarely available on the market. So I will recommend you purchase a 4 carat diamond ring from a good jewelry shop that offers Gemological Institute of America(GIA) or American Gem society certification.
We discuss more about 4 carat diamonds below. Keep reading before you make the big purchase!
Properties of a 4 Carat Diamond
1. Diameter of the Diamond
The diameter of a 4 carat diamond varies according to the shape of the diamond. Let’s look at the table below.
Carat | Shape of diamond | Diameter of diamond |
4 | Round | 10.2mm |
4 | Princess | 9mm |
4 | Emerald | 10.5 ×7.5mm |
4 | Asscher | 9mm |
4 | Marquise | 16×8mm |
4 | Oval | 13×8.5mm |
4 | Radiant | 9.5×8.5mm |
4 | Pear | 13.5×9mm |
4 | Heart | 10.3mm |
4 | Cushion | 10×8.5mm |
Remember that if a 4 carat diamond is used for a long time, it can lose its shine.
2. Weight of the Diamond
The carat signifies the weight of the diamond. The bigger the diamond, the higher is the carat of the diamond.
One carat is equal to 200 milligrams. So a 4 carat diamond is almost 800 milligrams, or 0.8 grams (about 0.028 ounces). The below table will help you understand the weight conversion better.
Carats | Milligrams | Milliounce |
1 | 200 | 7.05 |
2 | 400 | 14.1 |
3 | 600 | 21.2 |
4 | 800 | 28.2 |
5 | 1,000 | 35.2 |
6 | 1,200 | 42.3 |
3. Color of the Diamond
The color plays a significant role in a 4 carat diamond. The international grading system provides a color code from D to Z, where D indicates a colorless stone and Z indicates a yellow hue.
Diamonds are available in various colors like gray, pink, yellow, and brown. We recommend that you purchase a 4 carat diamond with color grading H and above. You can also choose a K color 4 carat diamond if the previous is prized beyond your budget.
4. Clarity of the Diamond
The vast majority of diamonds available in the market have impurities, otherwise known as inclusions. These inclusions are not visible to our naked eye.
The impurities in diamonds are studied by professionals working in reputed laboratories like the Gemological Institute of America, and these laboratories provide scores taking these impurities into consideration.
If a diamond has more impurities, it can obstruct the diamond’s shine and sparkle by blocking the reflection of light.
Inclusions are mainly of two types:
- External inclusions occur during the cutting of a diamond.
- Internal inclusions involve impurities inside the gemstone.
Internal inclusions are of three types:
- There are black or dark spots inside the diamond, which forms because of coal.
- The second one is clouds that are viewed only by microscope.
- The third one is feathers formed during the long process of formation of a diamond.
The GIA (Gemological Institute Of America) grades the clarity of a diamond with the following scale:
- IF (Internal Flawless)
- VVS1 (Very Very Small Inclusions 1)
- VVS2 (Very Very Small Inclusion 2)
- VS1 (Very Small Inclusion 1)
- VS2 (Very Small Inclusion 2)
- SI1 (Small Inclusions 1)
- SI2 (Small Inclusions 2)
- I1 (Inclusions 1 )
- I2 (Inclusions 2)
A perfect 4 carat diamond has flawless internal clarity. If you buy a four-carat diamond with IF clarity, then it will cost you between $20.900 to $105.270 per carat.
However, a diamond with VS2 clarity is of excellent quality as well. The impurities in VS2 are not visible under the naked eye but are visible under 10x magnification.
5. Cut Quality
The most important property of a 4 carat diamond is cut quality. The quality of the cut determines how bright it will shine on your finger.
The diamond cut does not indicate the shape of the diamond. Instead, it indicates how well the diamond is cut and polished. There are numerous diamond cut grades. An ideal grade reflects almost all the light that shines upon the stone.
Price of a 4 Carat Diamond
The average price of a 4 carat diamond ring usually starts from $30,000 and may go beyond $250,000. However, it depends on various features like the cut quality of the diamond, color, and clarity.
The carat weight is only one factor that determines the price of the diamond. The other three factors are cut quality, clarity, and color.
For instance, a 4 carat diamond with VS1 clarity and J color may cost you $47,230. But if you purchase the same 4 carat diamond with one grade lower clarity and E color, then it could cost you $104,790.
The shape of the diamond also plays a vital role in determining the price of the diamond. For instance, if you intend to purchase a 4.02 carat round diamond with E color and VS2 clarity, it may cost you $104,790. But if your friend intends to buy the same diamond but with a pear shape and a color grade higher, it could cost her $82,300.
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4 Carat Diamond Ring Shapes
1. Oval Shape
Oval 4 carat diamond rings are very popular today and appear quite sizeable compared to other shapes.
If you’d like to go for a 4 carat diamond ring, then we may advise you to go for VS1 or VS2 clarity. Additionally, give importance to the color while purchasing a diamond ring.
You may have a large stone on your finger, but others may notice if it is not pure white. You can choose D, E, and F grade colors with an oval shape 4 carat diamond ring.
2. Emerald Cuts
With an emerald cut, we suggest you opt for VS1 or VS2 clarity.
An emerald cut masks color better than other diamond shapes like oval, pear, or cushion. The H color will look like G or F color in emerald cuts, similar to E color. If you want a colorless emerald diamond ring, choose grades D, E, and F.
3. Round Cut
A round-cut 4 carat diamond would make for a perfect ring for an engagement. A round brilliant cut diamond refracts rainbow fire colors. Select VS1 or VS2 clarity with color grade H or I if you choose a round four-carat diamond.
4. Cushion Cut
A 4 carat diamond ring with an elongated cushion cut will look a bit larger than a squared cushion cut due to the difference in weight distribution.
If you intend to purchase a cushion-shaped 4 carat diamond ring, its bottom can be a bit heavy compared to the top.
You should also consider the ratio of the cushion cut when purchasing a four-carat diamond ring. The length by width ratio will give you the ratio of a diamond. If the length by width is 1:1, it is a square cushion, but if it is 1:2, it is a rectangular cushion.
Lastly, you should consider color while purchasing a 4 carat cushion-cut ring. You can choose an F, G, or H color grade. But if you want tints of yellow in your 4 carat diamond ring, then consider an I color.
5. Pear and Marquise Cuts
Pear and marquise cuts are a bit more spread than other diamond cuts. You can choose H, F, or G color grade when buying a 4 carat diamond with these cuts.
Final Thoughts
Four-carat diamonds are precious, large, and versatile. They will surely enhance your style, regardless of the occasion. Various factors like color, cut, quality of the stone, fluorescence, and other elements determine the price of a 4 carat diamond ring. Any change in any factor alters the cost of the 4 carat diamond ring.
We hope this article was able to answer all your queries and help you in buying the perfect 4 carat diamond for yourself or your loved one!
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Your Guide To Cloudy Diamond Rings
Do Rose Gold And Gold Go Together
RECOMMENDED DIAMOND AND RUBY JEWELER
James Allen is our most recommended online jeweler that guarantees a wonderful online shopping experience. You will find the most beautiful and best quality diamonds available for very competitive prices.