3 Carat Diamond Rings: Your Guide To Going Big
Kimberly Zerkel | September 29, 2022
A 3 carat diamond engagement ring is always statement-making. Choosing this carat weight is a bold way of declaring your love. The average engagement ring features a 1 carat diamond. So many who decide to buy a diamond three times the average carat weight often have a dramatic, maximalist style where more means more! Others are simply diamond lovers who want to curate pieces featuring a larger center stone.
“Carat weight more than anything depends on what the wearer of a ring wants on their finger,” says Grace Taylor, VRAI’s Director of Sales. “A 3 carat diamond is unequivocally large and is going to give an impressive look on the hand.”
Whatever your reason may be for buying an engagement ring with a 3 carat VRAI created diamond, here are tips to help you discover the one that’s meant just for you. Book an appointment with our diamond experts to learn more.
What Is A 3 Carat Diamond Ring?
A 3 carat diamond engagement ring generally features one single center stone that weighs 3 carats. Most 3 carat rings are solitaire engagement rings, but technically a Toi et Moi or Three Stone engagement ring setting could highlight 3 carat lab-grown diamonds of a combination of diamonds that equal 3 carats.
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How Big Is A 3 Carat Diamond Ring?
Although many equate carat with size, it actually refers to a diamond’s weight. 3 carats are equal to 600 milligrams or 0.6 grams. Each diamond shape displays their carat weight differently. A Round Brilliant diamond is considered to be the truest to size; a 3 carat Round Brilliant will often be around 9.25mm in diameter. Marquise shaped diamonds usually maximize their carat and appear larger on the finger; a 3 carat Marquise measures 15mm x 7.5mm on average.
3 Carat Vs 1 Carat Diamond Ring
Deciding between carat weights is a personal choice that should be based on your budget and style.
On average, a 3 carat Round Brilliant cut diamond will appear around 46% larger than a 1 carat diamond of the same shape. Consider how your preferred diamond shape displays its carat weight before opting for a lighter or heavier stone.
3 Carat Vs 2 Carat Diamond Ring
On average, a 3 carat Round Brilliant cut diamond will appear around 15% larger than a 2 carat diamond of the same shape. However, as 3 carat diamonds are rarer, the difference in price will be much more noticeable.
How Much Is A 3 Carat Diamond Ring?
The price of a 3 carat diamond engagement ring is determined by many factors. The style of ring and metal choice can greatly influence the price of the setting. Once the setting is purchased, the diamond(s) must be bought to complete the ring.
Carat weight is only one of many factors that influences a diamond’s value. The other 4Cs) — including cut, color, and clarity — play an important role. But because a 3 carat diamond is rarer, the price can increase dramatically. On average, a 3 carat Round Brilliant diamond can cost anywhere between three to thirty times more than a 1 carat Round Brilliant diamond depending on the grade of cut, color, and clarity.
A 3 carat diamond is also more expensive because of its rarity.
“The larger a diamond is, the rarer it is - and this is compounded with higher colors and clarities. Even with created diamonds, it's no small feat to create a large diamond that is beautiful. It's not every day that most people see a 3 carat diamond,” says Grace.
Top 3 Carat Diamond Shapes
Diamond shapes will display 3 carats differently. “
Certain diamonds hold their weight in a way that means you need to go bigger to get the same visual impact,” Grace explains. “Cushions and Asschers are notoriously deep stones, so going big is a good option.”
Read on to discover which shape is the perfect fit for your very own 3 carat diamond engagement ring.
3 Carat Round Brilliant Cut Diamonds
A Round Brilliant cut diamond is the most popular diamond shape in the world. Its perceived size is considered true to its carat weight. A 3 carat Round Brilliant cut diamond engagement ring is timelessly elegant and can be passed down as a family heirloom for generations to come.
3 Carat Oval Shaped Diamonds
Oval shaped diamonds continue to grow in popularity because they are a modern take on the classic Round Brilliant. Their elongated form maximizes carat weight, meaning they appear larger on the finger than a Round Brilliant cut diamond. A 3 carat Oval shaped diamond engagement ring is perfect for those wanting to put a slight twist on traditional style.
3 Carat Emerald Cut Diamonds
“A 3 carat isn’t exactly a splurge to some people - it may just be the ‘norm’,” says Jen Kripas, a VRAI diamond expert at our Chicago showroom. “We’ve seen Emerald cuts in that 3ct range lately - that shape is an absolute stunner in a larger size rectangle.”
Because of its elongated form, it can appear larger on the finger than a Round Brilliant cut diamond of the same carat weight. A 3 carat Emerald cut diamond engagement ring exudes strength and timeless beauty.
3 Carat Pear Shaped Diamonds
Pear shaped diamonds are considered the most symbolic of diamond shapes because of their “teardrop” form. Their elongated shape also makes them appear slightly larger on the finger than a Round Brilliant cut diamond of the same carat weight. A 3 carat Pear shaped diamond engagement ring is both playful and romantic and perfect for couples with unique or vintage-inspired style.
3 Carat Princess Cut Diamonds
Princess cut diamonds are one of newest diamond shapes; they appeared in the late 20th century and steadily grew in popularity as a center stone. Because of their square length-to-width ratio, Princess cut diamonds can actually appear smaller than most diamond shapes of the same carat weight. But their large table will make them seem slightly larger than a Round Brilliant. A 3 carat Princess cut diamond engagement ring creates a stunning look of modern sophistication.
3 Carat Cushion Cut Diamonds
A Cushion cut diamond is named for its pillow-like appearance. While it shares many similarities with a Round Brilliant cut diamond, its deeper cut “hides” some of its carat weight. This means that a Cushion actually appears smaller than Round Brilliant diamonds of the same carat weight. Regardless, a 3 carat Cushion cut diamond engagement ring creates a vintage-inspired look and feel in nearly any setting.
3 Carat Radiant Cut Diamonds
Radiant cut diamonds combine the clean lines of an Emerald cut with the fire and scintillation of a Round Brilliant. Like the Emerald, a Radiant is elongated, meaning it appears slightly larger than other diamond shapes of the same carat weight. A 3 carat Radiant cut diamond engagement ring is the perfect blend of classic and contemporary, resulting in a look that is modern-yet-timeless.
3 Carat Marquise Cut Diamonds
Marquise cut diamonds are considered the best shape for maximizing carat weight. Out of all other shapes of the same weight, they appear the largest (followed by Pear, Oval, and Emerald). This means that a 3 carat Marquise cut diamond engagement ring will look substantial and slenderize the finger when worn.
Top 3 Carat Diamond Ring Settings
Certain engagement ring settings are best for putting your 3 carat diamond on full display. Which style of engagement ring will you choose?
3 Carat Solitaire Engagement Rings
A Solitaire engagement ring is perhaps the best way to highlight the beauty of a 3 carat diamond. Whether choosing between a traditional setting or a more contemporary design, there’s a 3 carat Solitaire engagement ring for every style.
3 Carat Halo Engagement Rings
A 3 carat Halo engagement ring is perfect for those with vintage-inspired taste. This setting, which was a popular Art Deco engagement ring style, outlines the center stone with a “halo” of melee diamonds. This added layer of shine means that your 3 carat Halo engagement ring looks even larger when worn.
Why Choose A Lab-Grown 3 Carat Diamond?
By selecting a 3 carat diamond sustainably created in our zero-emission foundry, your engagement ring is a reflection of your true love and true values. This sustainably created diamond is free from human or environmental toll — which means you can enjoy its beauty, guilt-free.
And by choosing a vertically-integrated company like VRAI, your 3 carat lab-grown diamond is free from middlemen markups, meaning it is likely at a more approachable price point than mined diamonds of the same size.
Speak With Our Diamond Experts
Ready to take the next step in finding a 3 carat diamond engagement ring? Book an appointment with our diamond experts who will guide you through settings, provide you with in-depth diamond education, and help you find the ring that’s right for you.
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