Looking for the current half carat diamond ring price? Read this guide to find out.
Want to buy a ½ carat diamond ring but have no idea how to go about it?
Is so, you at the right place.
In this detailed guide, you will learn the following:
- What is a ½ carat diamond ring?
- How much is a 1/32 carat diamond likely to cost?
- Which is the best jewelry store to buy ½ carat diamond ring?
- And much more!
A ½ carat diamond ring is not cheap. This being the case, you should look at various things to get the best deal for the money you are about to spend.
After reading this guide, you will have everything you need to make an informed decision.
Let’s get started.
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What is a ½ Carat Diamond Ring?
A half carat diamond ring, also commonly known as .5 carat diamond ring, is a ring setting that has a total diamond carat weight of .5.
A carat (also ‘ct’) is the standard unit of measuring diamond weight.
A carat is equivalent to 200 milligrams or 0.2 grams. This means that .5 carat is the same as 100mg or 0.1g.
Other ways of referring to .5-carat diamond are:
- .5ct or 0.5 ct
- ½ carat
- 50 points where 100 points = 1 carat
However, even with the standard measurements, no two ½ carat diamond rings are the same, thanks to the difference in color, clarity, and cut.
Carat is Weight, Not Size
When you go to a jewelry store to buy diamonds, keep in mind that “carats” refer to the weight, not the size of a diamond. A diamond with more carats does not necessarily mean that it is a larger or better diamond.
You may not get the best value for your money if you base your diamond buying decision on carat only. Rather, you should also consider the color, cut, and clarity.
GUIDE: All You Need To Know About Diamond Carat
The size of a diamond refers to the surface area of its table.
Different diamond cuts or shapes have different surface areas for their tables. For example, the table surface area or a round cut diamond is smaller than that of an oval cut diamond.
Price of a ½ Carat Diamond Ring
The price of a .5 carat diamond is lower than that of a 1-carat diamond. The cost of buying a ½ carat diamond ring is between $1,000 and $3,500 or higher.
Other factors that make up the 4Cs, i.e., the color, cut and clarity also have a great impact on the price of a diamond.
Finally, the jewelry store where you are buying your diamond from will also determine the price.
Pricing of ½ Carat Diamond Rings
When deciding how much a diamond ring will cost, most jewelers and vendors look at the carat weight. To be more precise, they look at the diamond’s weight value and the price for every carat of its weight.
The price per carat refers to the total price of the diamond divided by its total weight. For instance, a 1 carat diamond ring that retails at $3,000 will have a price per carat of $3,000.
The $3,000 price per carat is arrived at by from dividing the total price of the diamond ($3,000) by the carat weight (1 carat) to get the $3,000 price. Using the same formula, i you get a ½ carat diamond that costs $2,000, its price per carat would be $4,000.
Like the 1 carat diamond, a .5 carat diamond will also be priced depending on its clarity, cut, and color grades.
For example, this .5 carat diamond from James Allen with VVS1 clarity, E color grade, and a Very Good cut goes for $960.
[su_button url=”https://www.jamesallen.com/diamond-rings/princess-cut-engagement-rings/0.53-carat-solitaire-engagement-ring-1605537?a_aid=twirlweddings” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#ef412d” size=”4″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ icon=”icon: shopping-cart” rel=”nofollow”]ON JAMES ALLEN[/su_button]
On the other hand, there is a .5 carat diamond that is color H (lower) but with similar clarity and cut here that is sold at $840.
[su_button url=”https://www.jamesallen.com/diamond-rings/princess-cut-engagement-rings/0.57-carat-solitaire-engagement-ring-1616562?a_aid=twirlweddings” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#ef412d” size=”4″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ icon=”icon: shopping-cart” rel=”nofollow”]ON JAMES ALLEN[/su_button]
A single factor, for example, color, is enough to cause an increase in the price of a half carat diamond ring.
It is also possible for two separate diamonds having different grades to have the same price. This is only possible if the other 3Cs are balanced properly.
Do not worry if you are not sure which color grade or clarity to choose for your half-carat diamond. We will cover clarity and color ratings further ahead.
Best Place to Buy ½ Carat Diamond Ring
The best place to start searching for .5 carat diamond is online. Do not be in a rush to ask the local jeweler for a piece.
As you go about the online search, you will discover that online diamond vendors, like Blue Nile and James Allen, sell a variety of high-quality diamonds at great prices. The online diamond stores feature extensive collections from where you can choose your preferred diamond shapes, type of metal, and ring settings. There are also other retailers like Costco who have great finds.
Therefore, you will find the perfect .5 carat diamond to buy without much stress or denting your wallet.
Based on how long we have been in the diamond industry, our best pick for the best places to buy half carat diamonds are James Allen and Blue Nile online jewelry stores. These two are the topmost preferred jewelry sellers.
Here is why we chose the two stores:
.5 Carat Diamond Ring from Blue Nile
Blue Nile has a wide collection of fine jewelry. Moreover, all their diamonds carry grading certificates from either GIA or AGS.
The store’s diamond collections have fancy shapes including round cut, princess, oval, and marquise. The collections also feature various types of metals and ring setting styles.
Read the full Blue Nile Review.
.5 Carat Diamond Ring from James Allen
James Allen has been in the diamond business for almost 2 decades. Today, it is one of the most trusted online stores that sell diamonds and other jewelry. The store carries a variety of diamonds in its inventory.
All the diamonds in James Allen’s inventory have diamond certificates from GIA and AGS. This means that any half carat diamond ring sold to you is graded accurately before pricing.
James Allen’s diamonds also use high viewing technology, which means you can view the diamond quality on your own.
Read the full James Allen review.
Best Clarity For ½ Carat Diamond Ring?
One of the four major things that contribute to diamond quality is its clarity rating.
GIA describes clarity as to the absence of blemishes, inclusions, or stains in a diamond stone.
Diamonds are graded from the best to worst, depending on the number of surface defects and inclusions It has. The best clarity is the one that has no inclusions visible when a 10x magnifier is used. On the other hand, the worst clarity is the one that has obvious inclusions under a 10x microscope.
The grading scale looks like this:
- Flawless (FL)
- Internally Flawless (IF)
- Very Very Slightly Included (VVS1 and VVS2)
- Very Slightly Included (VS1 and VS2)
- Slightly Included (SI1 and SI2)
- Included (I1, I2, and I3)
The clarity grade of a diamond stone determines how brilliant the diamond will look.
For example, a half-carat diamond ring that has a clarity grade of I3 has inclusions that are easily seen and which affect the stone’s brilliance and transparency.
Such kind of a diamond also looks dark and dirty than a diamond that is VS, VVS, IF, or FL. This is the reason the most expensive diamond rings have high clarity. In addition, they are more brilliant, look more beautiful, and are very rare, unlike diamonds with lower clarity grades.
VVS2 is the recommended clarity grade for a .5 carat diamond ring. With this clarity grade, most of the blemishes and inclusions cannot be seen without a microscope.
However, keep in mind is that a high GIA clarity grading will not make any difference if the inclusions are visible. You can find a diamond with lower clarity grade that looks similar to IF or FL but cost much less.
We suggest you go diamond shopping at a retail store that allows you to view your diamond fully to see its clarity grade before ordering it.
[su_note] If you cannot afford a diamond with VVS2 clarity grading, go for a lower clarity like VS2 or SI1. If most of its inclusions are near the edges, you can easily cover them in the prong settings.[/su_note]
Best Color Grade for a ½ Carat Diamond
Not all diamonds have the same color. Some have a tint, others look yellowish, while some are completely colorless.
When we talk about diamond color, we refer to how colorless the diamond is.
GIA uses specific viewing conditions and lighting to gauge how colorless a diamond stone is. The colors are lined on a color scale.
Based on how colorless it is, a diamond is assigned a color grade on the scale. The grade ranges from D, which is the most colorless, to Z, which is light.
Higher color ratings denote a more colorless diamond. These are normally the most expensive of all pieces.
Also, keep in mind that how the ring is set also affects how colorless it will appear.
When looking for a .5 carat diamond ring to buy, go for one that has a color grade between G and I. these normally appear almost colorless to the naked eyes. Moreover, they are also quite affordable.
When diamond is set against colored metals like rose gold and yellow gold, it appears colorless, even if it has minor tints. However, white gold and platinum metals do a good job of showing all the inclusions in a diamond.
Let’s look at an example.
This ring here is from James Allen. It is set on platinum metal.
[su_button url=”https://www.jamesallen.com/diamond-rings/round-cut-engagement-rings/0.53-carat-solitaire-engagement-ring-1685796?a_aid=twirlweddings” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#ef412d” size=”4″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ icon=”icon: shopping-cart” rel=”nofollow”]ON JAMES ALLEN[/su_button]
Let’s compare it to this other one, still from James Allen. This one is 14K set in rose gold.
[su_button url=”https://www.jamesallen.com/diamond-rings/round-cut-engagement-rings/0.55-carat-solitaire-engagement-ring-1749282?a_aid=twirlweddings” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#ef412d” size=”4″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ icon=”icon: shopping-cart” rel=”nofollow”]ON JAMES ALLEN[/su_button]
Both rings are round cut diamonds, VVS2 clarity grade, and color grade J. However, the first diamond is more yellow than the second.
FAQ About ½ Carat Diamond Rings
Is a ½ carat diamond ring big?
The appearance of a .5 carat diamond stone is affected by its shape, cut, clarity, and color. Keep in mind that the value of carats or the number of carats is not directly related to how big or small the diamond is. A ½ carat diamond is not always smaller than a 1-carat diamond.
For example, this Blue Nile .5 carat oval cut diamond ring looks bigger than a 1-carat princess cut diamond ring such as this one.
The bottom line: Different ½ carat diamond stones will have different sizes depending on how they are cut and shaped.
If you love a ring that looks big, go for one with an elongated shape and a large table surface area. Examples of such rings include pear, marquise, or oval cut diamonds.
What Is the Resale Price of a ½ Carat Diamond Ring?
Before you sell your ½ carat diamond ring, it is important to understand that you may not break even on its initial price. Still, there are a few tricks you can use to get at least as much as its initial value as possible.
First, evaluate the quality of the diamond ring. Look at the color grade, clarity grade, and the cut.
How does GIA rate its cut? Is it “Excellent” or lower?
With the ring cut quality in mind, you can go ahead and start looking for a buyer.
The internet is the best place to resell your .5 carat diamond ring. On the internet, you can get as much as 70% of the diamond ring’s original value.
The resale value of a ½ carat diamond ring that you bought at $2,000 can range between $1,200- $1,400. A good example is this ring from James Allen.
[su_button url=”https://www.jamesallen.com/diamond-rings/round-cut-engagement-rings/0.50-carat-solitaire-engagement-ring-1596648?a_aid=twirlweddings” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#ef412d” size=”4″ center=”yes” radius=”0″ icon=”icon: shopping-cart” rel=”nofollow”]ON JAMES ALLEN[/su_button]
If your diamond ring came with a GIA or AGS certificate from the vendor, its price is likely to go up since the quality can be attested to.
How to Get the Best Deal When Buying ½ Carat Diamond Rings
When looking for the best .5 carat diamond ring, you need to be sure of getting the best deal. Follow the advice below to get a diamond of your choice at a great price.
First, identify and buy from jewelers who sell products that come with AGS and GIA certificates. These are important diamond accessories that will ascertain that you are not being scammed and that the .5 carat diamond being sold to you is exactly what it is being claimed to be.
Diamond certificates from GIA and AGs are the most trusted diamond grading reports. The reports grade diamonds using very strict and consistent grading guidelines.
In short, GIA and AGS certificates are accurate indicators of the quality of a diamond. Therefore, stay away from jewelers and retailers who offer grading certificates from other entities or those that do not offer any at all.
James Allen and Blue Nile are reputable jewelry stores that carry GIA certificates for all their diamonds. So, any .5 carat diamond ring you buy from them is accurately graded and the price matches the grades.
Color, clarity, and cut also have an impact on the diamond price. If you have a tight budget and are looking for a fair priced diamond, we recommend the following cut, color, and clarity grades:
- Clarity
Go for eye-clean VS1 or VS2. These two have inclusions that are not visible. If you cannot see the blemishes in a .5 carat diamond, then it is as good as an Internally Flawless or Flawless diamond.
- Color
Go for a .5 carat diamond ring with a color range of G to I. Diamonds who color fall within this range are almost colorless. On the other hand, diamonds in color range D to F are not almost colorless but are cheaper.
If you pick a rose gold or yellow gold setting, even a tinted diamond is good to go. The intense color from the setting will make the tinted diamond appear a little colorless.
- Cut
The shape of your diamond may not have a great impact on the price. However, it is good to choose an ideal cut diamond. You can also find the same cut of diamonds graded as “Excellent cut “by GIA.
When the cut quality is high, the diamond gains more brilliance.
- Shape
When it comes to shape, pick a .5 carat diamond that looks attractive to you. If you care so much about the diamond size, select a diamond whose shape has a big table surface area. Examples of such include oval, emerald, pear, radiant, and marquise.
Best ½ Carat Diamond Rings
Don’t know which ½ carat diamond rings to buy? Here are some of our recommendations.
½ Carat Solitaire Diamond Rings
- Radiant Cut Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring in 14K Rose GoldPrincess Cut Solitaire Diamond Engagement Ring in 18K Yellow Gold
½ Carat Halo Diamond Rings
½ Carat Pave Diamond Rings
½ Carat Vintage Diamond Rings
Final Thoughts on ½ Carat Diamond Rings
Finding a good half-carat diamond engagement ring does not have to be difficult. With some little research; you can get a gorgeous diamond ring that fits in your budget just fine.
Before deciding on a diamond piece, browse different jewelry retail shops and check the products they offer.
Online stores like James Allen and Blue Nile stock an extensive selection of high quality .5 carat diamond engagement rings. Their prices are also great and you can choose either a readymade ring or custom design your own from a selection of loose diamonds and settings.