For those who want their engagement ring to be as big as their love, large diamond rings may be the perfect choice. Big engagement rings are sure to make a statement with maximalist style. When it comes to choosing a large diamond engagement ring, it’s important to prioritize high-quality diamonds to ensure peak beauty and brilliance. Lab-grown diamonds such as VRAI created diamonds are the perfect choice if you're looking for a large diamond at an affordable price.

Use this article as your guide, or book an appointment with our Diamond Experts, to find the perfect engagement ring for you and your budget.

What Is Considered a Big Diamond For an Engagement Ring?

A big diamond is any diamond with a carat weight of 3 carats and above. A 4 carat diamond, 5 carat diamond ring, or beyond are all considered large diamond rings. VRAI can cut diamonds to order for engagement rings up to 10 carats in 30 different shapes as part of our Cut for You™ bespoke diamond experience.

Is a 3 Carat Diamond Ring Considered Big?

Yes, a 3 carat diamond ring is considered big. While 3 doesn’t sound like a high number, the average engagement ring is 1 carat. Each carat increase can considerably change a diamond’s size](/journal/post/diamond-size-chart)Brilliant diamond.

How Many Carats Is Too Big for an Engagement Ring?

There’s no such thing as too many carats for a diamond engagement ring. The right carat weight for an engagement ring simply comes down to personal preference. However, the higher the carat weight, the rarer the diamond, and the higher the carat price.

While the average engagement ring is between 1-2 carats, how big you go depends on your budget, taste, and lifestyle.

Why Do We Marvel at Large Diamonds?

Genetically, we are attracted to things that sparkle because it signaled to our ancestors the presence of a body of water. However, we are also fascinated by large diamonds because they’re rare.

“Whether the diamond is mined or created, it simply is harder to produce a large diamond than it is a smaller diamond,” says Grace Taylor, VRAI’s Chief of Sales and Customer Experience. “Rarity factors (color, clarity) are compounded by larger diamonds as well, as the larger the diamond is, the more likely it is to be exposed to conditions that increase apparent color or visible inclusions.”

The Mystique of Historical Large Diamonds

Royal houses, industrial dynasties, and Hollywood stars have turned large diamonds into subjects of endless fascination. These diamonds symbolize opulence, power, and give the illusion of a fairy-tale life. Many storied large diamonds have become famous in diamond history.

The Cullinan Diamond

At 3,106 carats, the Cullinan is the largest gem-quality diamond ever found. The discovery took place in 1905 in the Cullinan mine in South Africa. The Asscher family was tasked with cutting it in 1907. It produced nine major stones, and the Cullinan I and II are part of the British Crown Jewels. Cullinan I is a Pear shaped diamond and weighs 530 carats and is set on top of the Sovereign Sceptre. Cullinan II is an Elongated Cushion and weighs 317.4 carat and is set in the front of the Imperial State Crown.

The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond

The Wittelsbach-Graff Diamond is a fancy deep grayish blue diamond that comes from the Kollur mine, and it originally weighed 35.56 carats. It now measures 31.06 carats because it had to be recut to enhance its color, clarity, and remove the damage to its girdle.The Wittelsbach-Graff was a heirloom belonging to Austrian royalty until it was sold at auction in 2008 to Laurence Graff.

The Krupp Diamond (or Elizabeth Taylor Diamond)

The Krupp diamond is an Asscher diamond weighing 33.19 carats, which Richard Burton gifted to Elizabeth Taylor in 1968. Taylor wore it as a ring, and referred to it as her favorite piece of jewelry. After her death, the Krupp was rechristened “The Elizabeth Taylor diamond.”

The Taylor Burton Diamond

The Taylor Burton comes from South Africa and was mined in 1966. It is a Pear diamond weighing 69.42 carats. In its original rough state, it weighed 241 carats. Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor purchased it in 1969. At the time of the Burton-Taylor purchase, it was set on a platinum ring, but it was then mounted on a $80,000 diamond necklace.

Which Diamond Shape Looks Biggest?

Certain diamond shapes maximize their carat weight and have an elongated shape, so they appear bigger than others. Round Brilliant cut diamonds, the most popular diamond shape, will look truest to size. Marquise cut, Oval cut, Emerald cut, and Pear cut diamonds, however, will appear bigger than their carat weight.

You can view how big each lab grown diamond created by VRAI will look online. When you select the diamond, you’ll see it virtually displayed on a size 6 hand.

What’s The Drawback of Diamonds That Face up Larger?

The biggest disadvantage would be if a diamond is cut intentionally poorly in order to increase its face-up size. “Having a pavilion that is too shallow can cause light leakage because the light coming from the top of the diamond can’t refract properly back out the top!” says Taylor.

“Shapes that naturally have shallower pavilions will sacrifice a little bit of sparkle by nature of their shape for the same reason,” Taylor explains. In some elongated shapes like Oval, Pear, and Marquise, the shallower shape can increase the appearance of the bowtie effect across the center of the diamond. There is a saying in the industry that “nothing sparkles like a round brilliant” and this is largely why.

Do Bigger Diamonds Cost More?

Bigger diamonds will cost more than smaller diamonds. As the carat weight increases, the diamond price increases. However, the total price of a diamond also depends on the remaining diamond 4Cs, diamond shape, and where you buy your diamonds from.

VRAI offers very competitive prices for big diamond rings. We are vertically integrated so we produce our diamonds in-house, with no middlemen markups. This means we can offer high-quality lab-grown diamonds at higher carat weights for less. This way you can invest in a truly brilliant, large diamond ring, even if you’re on a budget.

Why Should You Choose a Large Lab-Grown Diamond Ring?

All VRAI lab-grown diamonds are sustainably created in our zero-emission foundry, with no human or environmental toll. We’re there for the entire journey of the diamond, from its creation to the cutting, polishing, and setting of each VRAI created diamond ring.

Since we control the entire production, we can guarantee the origin and quality of each VRAI created diamond. The same cannot be said for mined diamonds. Plus, all VRAI created engagement rings come with a lifetime warranty, which includes an annual professional cleaning. This way you can sustainably invest without worry.

Your engagement ring is a reflection of your love. When you buy a VRAI created lab-grown diamond engagement ring, you’re choosing a ring where the origin is guaranteed.

How High Can You Go in Diamond Size?

You can go as high as the original rough diamond allows master cutters to work on, and that is especially true in the case of mined diamonds. Remember, though, that the rarity of larger diamonds is mostly due to the fact that there are very few rough diamonds that can make the cut—no pun intended.

In the case of VRAI created diamonds and the Cut for You™ process, cut is always prioritized over carat weight. “It depends on the diamond shape,” explains Grace Taylor. “The largest we can guarantee for all shapes through Cut for You™ is 8 carats.” This applies to all of the 30 shapes you can select. There are a few exceptions. We can go as large as 13 carats, but only for Emerald, Oval Rose, Round Rose, and Shield.

The Best Settings for Large Diamond Rings

The best engagement ring setting is the one you love the most, but certain ring settings are better for large diamond rings. Large solitaire diamond rings are the most popular choice, as solitaire settings offer a large range of timeless engagement ring styles.

When it comes to big diamond rings, the more secure the setting the better, especially if you live an active lifestyle. Three of the most secure solitaire settings are the Signature 6 Prong, Cathedral, and Bezel settings. All three settings will beautifully highlight and enhance your diamond ring, while securely holding it in place.

However, all VRAI created engagement rings are expertly crafted and set to ensure your diamond will stay securely in place over the years. Choose the engagement ring setting that best suits you.