Three Carat Engagement Rings Guide: What to Know Before You Buy

3 carat engagement rings are stunning statements, for both the recipient and the giver. With a slightly larger stone than the 1 to 1.5 carat range, they exude rareness and symbolise luxury. There are surely few other purchases to show your commitment, as striking as 3-carat diamonds. 

However, as with any investment, you’ll want to know what you are looking for before you buy. In this guide, we’ll explain to you why you should prioritise cut quality and personal style to propose unbelievably. 

What You Can Expect from a 3-Carat Diamond Engagement Ring

How Shape Affects Sizing

A ‘carat’ is a metric for measuring weight, rather than physical dimensions, with one carat equaling 200 milligrams. A 3-carat diamond’s size is also affected by its cut and shape. Here’s a breakdown:

Three 3 Carat Diamond Price Range

As with all diamonds, its price is never determined by just one factor. A 3-carat engagement ring will be more expensive than lower carats, of course, but cut, clarity, color, origin, brand, and ring metal will all play a part.

3-carat diamonds escalate exponentially in price with heightened rarity, demand, and the need for a bigger raw diamond to cut into. As you move up the carat scale, prices can truly rocket, as craftsmanship and meticulous details come into play.

Here’s a rough price breakdown as of writing that clearly shows the non-linear price rise: 

What Should I Prioritize in a 3-Carat Diamond Engagement Ring?

Cut

The one thing people tend to long for in engagement rings is brilliance and sparkle. This is the quality that will make your partner’s heart flutter and family members gasp. 

A diamond’s sparkle is determined above all by its cut. In the 3-carat diamond category, cut flaws become very noticeable, so you’ll want to prioritise this above other factors. Ideal or Excellent cuts are recommended, as these are the two highest grades of diamond cut that will ensure a lively and impressive sparkle. If you go for a lower cut quality, you’ll risk a diamond that appears dull and doesn’t hit the eye the same way. 

Clarity

Next, clarity should be taken seriously to avoid visible inclusions. These aren’t always noticeable in tiny 1-carat stones, but can become more noticeable in larger stones, especially in large shapes. However, don’t assume you must pay the premium price of a flawless diamond, as the inclusions on these aren’t visible to the naked eye. 

You can consider a VS1 or VS2 clarity grade if you want to avoid the premium on a flawless or internally flawless diamond.

Color

Color is also important, but falls lower down the priority chain and leaves you room for flexibility. Ideally, you get a totally clear diamond (D). But, many people don’t mind a slight yellow or brown tint in near-colorless grades (G-H). Lower color grades can work too, but in an engagement ring, you’re trying to wow your partner, so avoiding that may be wise. 

Shape

Finally, shape - this can dramatically affect the price of your 3-carat engagement ring. Many designs even command a premium due to their popularity. Generally, round brilliant cut diamonds are the most expensive as they’re an ultra-popular and classic design. However, many other engagement rings are available, including a 3-carat oval engagement ring, cushion, and emerald, and can offer a far more personal feeling. 

Recommended 3 Carat Round Diamonds 

Long revered for their incredible brilliance, sparkle, and the classic diamond shape, round diamonds are the standout choice. They tend to suit every style, hand shape, and outfit. But expect a premium compared to other 3-carat engagement ring shapes.

3.31 F IF Virtual Selection Round Diamond

The 3.31 F IF Virtual Selection Round Diamond is an exceptional choice, as it’s eye-clean and offers an incredible, brilliant sparkle to get your heart fluttering. With an F color grade, it’s nearly colourless. It’s also IF (Internally Flawless), so there’s just pristine clarity when viewing it, even at microscopic levels. 

With ideal proportions and cut quality, you really can’t get more ‘classic’ than this in the 3-carat range. 

3.020 H VVS1 Virtual Selection Round Diamond

The 3.020 H VVS1 is a beautiful engagement ring diamond, without the premium cost of the highest color tiers. Despite that, it still has a near-colorless H color grade and sparkles wonderfully from every angle, with excellent symmetry and VVS1 clarity. 

The Best Three-Carat Diamond Ring Settings

Solitaire

Solitaire diamond settings show off the diamond’s size and sparkle, with a single stop and minimal metal as light enters and reflects without interference. These designs are timeless but still on-trend today, pairing well with durable platinum, warm yellow gold, and romantic rose gold. 

With Brian Gavin Diamonds, you can build your solitaire design by selecting your preferred round diamond and pairing it with a solitaire setting metal.

Halo 

The gorgeous 3-carat halo setting shape features a large center diamond surrounded by a circle of smaller accent stones. The illusion is one of enhanced size and dramatic sparkles. With extra surface, light interplay is increased and provides a stunning design to celebrate your love.

Halo 3-carat engagement rings pair very well with all varieties of metal and shape, including oval, round, and cushion diamonds. 

Pavé and Side Stone

Pavé adds glamour and texture to any engagement ring, with a seamless, glittering surface that manages to shine without overshadowing the star of the show, that 3-carat diamond. 

Sidestone settings, such as three-stone or tapered baguette designs, on the other hand, frame the diamond with a touch of elegance that emphasizes size. It makes the whole thing far more interesting, without reducing focus on the main stone. The metal rings are feminine and suit any hand size, and can feature custom accenting. 

Three Stone Settings

Three-stone settings are a striking choice, representing the past, present, and future of your relationship. Featuring a large center stone with two diamonds on either side, you can find stunning designs with round, trapezoid, or tapered baguettes. As a result, the ring looks larger and the sparkle is increased. 

Brian Gavin Diamonds' selection of three-stone diamond engagement ring settings like the French halo, open basket, and three-stone trellis. 

Choosing Your Metal Type for Your 3-Carat Diamond Engagement Ring

Balance is everything when designing a custom ring. First, choose a bandwidth that complements, never overwhelms, the diamond’s size. 

Then, consider a color that meets your vision. Platinum is very durable and enhances the diamond’s whiteness, while yellow or rose gold will bring out some warmth (which works best for near-colorless). Finally, the setting should be secure and durable.

3 Carat Diamond Engagement Ring FAQs

How much does a 3-carat diamond ring cost?

Prices in the 3-carat diamond range vary dramatically, from $6,000 for a lab diamond to over $200,000 for the high-end of a natural diamond. 

Is 3 carats too big for an engagement ring?

No. As with most rings, it comes down to personal style, finger size, and lifestyle. 3-carat rings are certainly a statement, but they’re not “too big”. However, you will need a secure and comfortable setting.

What is the best shape for a 3-carat diamond?

Round diamonds offer maximum brilliance, but ovals, cushions, and emerald cuts can appear larger face-up. The best shape, however, balances sparkle, finger coverage, and personal preference.

Browse Custom or Ready-Made 3-Carat Diamond Rings.

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We hope this guide has helped you understand the impact and elegance of 3-carat engagement rings. If you have the budget, these rings will blow all expectations out the window and leave your partner stunned at your commitment. 

We welcome you to browse our selection today or contact our diamond experts, who are here for any questions you may have (including about customised designs).