Price of 1 carat diamond: mined vs. lab-grown
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Price of a 1-Carat Diamond: From Mined to Lab-Grown – What's the Difference?
When searching for "price of a 1-carat diamond", you will likely encounter various explanations of how weight, color, clarity, and cut affect the value of the stone. The truth is that traditional mined diamonds are determined by these factors, but their price is also influenced by rarity and the long chain of intermediaries. There is also an alternative that offers the same quality at a far more accessible price – lab-grown diamonds.
What Influences the Price of a 1-Carat Mined Diamond?
4C’s: Carat, Color, Clarity, Cut
The price of any diamond is determined by the classic "4C’s". Even small differences in color or clarity can increase the value by thousands of leva.
Certificates: GIA, IGI, HRD
To guarantee quality, mined diamonds often come with certificates from international laboratories. This is an important factor in forming the final price.
Market Prices and the Rapaport Index
The global Rapaport index serves as a sort of "diamond exchange" and sets the baseline upon which sellers apply markups.
How Much Can a 1-Carat Mined Diamond Cost?
In Bulgaria and Europe, the price of a 1-carat mined diamond can vary depending on quality:
- G/VS, 1 carat – approximately 11,000 BGN
- H/VS2, 1 carat – approximately 13,000 BGN
- According to the Rapaport index – approximately 15,500 BGN
Lab-Grown Diamonds: A No-Compromise Alternative
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically, physically, and optically identical to mined diamonds. They can also receive certificates from the same international laboratories. The difference lies in how they are created – without mines, with minimal environmental impact, and without unnecessary intermediaries.
As a result, their price is significantly lower. The same 1-carat diamond, with similar characteristics, can cost around 2,200 BGN as lab-grown – up to five times less than the mined equivalent.
Comparison: Mined vs. Lab-Grown
| Type of Diamond | Approximate Price* | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Mined, G/VS, 1 carat | ~11,000 BGN | Standard quality with certificate |
| Mined, H/VS2, 1 carat | ~13,000 BGN | Higher value for better clarity |
| Rapaport (market prices) | ~15,500 BGN | Baseline international levels |
| Lab-grown, VVS2, 1 carat | ~2,200 BGN | Up to 5 times cheaper for the same quality |
*All prices are approximate as of August 2025 and may vary according to the market.
Conclusion: Which is the Smarter Choice?
If tradition is most important to you, then a mined diamond is your choice. But if you are looking for the same quality, certificate, and worldwide recognition, at up to five times lower cost and with minimal environmental impact – then a lab-grown diamond is the choice of the new generation.
Discover our collection of lab-grown diamonds and find your sparkle at a realistic price.