The 10 Carat Diamond Ring: The Ultimate Milestone Ring
The Complete Guide to Purchasing an Exceptional High Jewelry 10 Carat Diamond Ring.
Whether you are looking for a 10 carat diamond ring to propose or celebrate an important milestone, we have compiled the key factors you need to consider.
Why a 10 Carat Diamond Ring
There are many reasons buyers are looking for a 10 carat diamond ring. Most clients are shopping for an impressive engagement ring, an anniversary/upgrade ring or they are want to celebrate an important milestone. Rarity is one of the key factors luxury buyers are attracted to a 10 carat diamond. As diamonds get larger, there are fewer high quality diamonds available in the market. The visual impact of a 10 carat diamond is also impressive but it is still appropriate for every day. A 10 carat round diamond is about 14-14.3 millimeters in diameter. Natural large high quality diamonds are also more likely to retain value and/or increase in value versus smaller more common diamonds. At 10 carats, the distinct qualities of the diamond cut and polish also become more visible and unique qualities of the diamond are more apparent. A 10 carat diamond also allows for many ways to customize the setting without detracting from the main diamond.
How to Select a 10 Carat Diamond
When looking for a 10 carat diamond, we suggest starting with a budget but being open too looking at a few diamond shapes. Most buyers at this price start with a minimum budget of $300,000 to $500,000. The most popular cuts for a 10 carat diamond are Oval, Pear and Emerald Cut. If you want a rectangular shape, cushion cut or radiant cut are also potential options. Diamonds that are 10 carats and larger are all unique and the polish and exact dimensions of the cut can alter the overall brilliance and sparkle of the diamond. We suggest comparing a few diamonds before deciding. Buyers looking for a 10 carat diamond should also anticipate it may take time to find the diamond that is right for you. You may also want to factor in time to create the ideal setting for your 10 carat diamond.
When shopping for a 10 carat diamond ring, Sotheby’s specialists suggest looking for a natural diamond that has been expertly cut and has a high clarity and color rating. As the carat weight increases, the flaws in the diamond are more visible. While you can start at a clarity grade of VVS1, we generally recommend diamonds that are either Flawless or Internally Flawless. A Flawless 10 carat diamond will have no visible inclusions to the naked eye or through a loop. The best color for a diamond is a D color diamond. When looking for a high quality 10 carat white diamond we suggest looking for a D or E color graded diamonds. Cut is also an essential aspect of choosing a high quality 10 carat diamond. The cut directly influences the brilliance of the stone. For a round stone we recommend looking for a diamond with an Excellent cut grade and fancy shaped diamonds Very Good cut stone or better. Since a 10 carat diamond is at the higher end of the luxury market, many buyers also choose a type IIa diamond. Type IIa diamonds are the purest form of diamonds with no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities. These are extremely rare and comprise less and 2% of all mined diamonds. These diamonds are formed under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions which can give the diamond higher clarity and brilliance.
Type I and Type II Diamonds
About 95% of diamonds are Type Ia and contain trace amount of nitrogen. Most engagement rings and other diamond jewelry are made from Type Ia diamonds. Type Ib diamonds are often associated with intense canary yellow diamonds and are often used for jewelry. Type II diamonds are much rarer than Type I diamonds and have fewer inclusions and higher clarity than the more common Type I diamonds.
Type IIa diamonds are the purest form of diamonds with no measurable nitrogen or boron impurities. These diamonds are often colorless but can also be found in rare colors like pink, brown or blue. These are extremely rare and comprise less and 2% of all mined diamonds. These diamonds are formed under high-pressure and high-temperature conditions which can give the diamond higher clarity and brilliance.
This 10.01 Carat Emerald Cut Diamond Ring sold for 5,715,000 HKD at Sotheby’s High Jewelry auction in April 2025. Set in platinum, the ring featured a D color, Internally Flawless diamond with Excellent Polish and Symmetry, as certified by the GIA. Accompanied by a diamond type classification letter, the stone was confirmed to be Type IIa—one of the rarest and most chemically pure categories of natural diamonds, renowned for their exceptional clarity and brilliance.
Type IIb diamonds contain boron which give them blue or grayish-blue color. Unlike other diamonds, Type IIb are semiconductors and can conduct electricity and are even rarer than Type IIa diamonds. The Hope Diamond is an example of a famous Type IIb diamond.
Colored 10 Carat Diamonds
Colored diamonds, particularly those in shades of blue, pink, and yellow, are among the rarest and most sought-after in the world. These naturally colored diamonds derive their hues from trace elements and unique geological conditions, making each stone truly one of a kind. Blue diamonds, in particular, owe their mesmerizing color to the presence of boron, and they are prized for their rarity and sophistication. One exceptional example is The Mediterranean Blue, a stunning 10.03-carat cushi on modified brilliant-cut Fancy Vivid Blue diamond, mounted as a ring in size 53. This extraordinary gemstone showcases the depth and brilliance that make blue diamonds so desirable. The Mediterranean Blue will be a highlight of Sotheby’s upcoming High Jewelry featuring The Mediterranean Blue auction, taking place on 13 May 2025 in Geneva, offering collectors a rare opportunity to acquire a diamond of such exceptional beauty and significance.
While colored diamonds are already a rarity, finding one over 10 carats is even more extraordinary. Fancy Vivid Yellow diamonds at this size are more commonly available, but Fancy Vivid Blue and Fancy Vivid Pink diamonds exceeding 10 carats are exceptionally scarce. Blue diamonds of this caliber make up less than 0.1% of all mined diamonds, with only a few appearing at auction each year. Pink diamonds of this size are even rarer, with the finest examples historically coming from the now-closed Argyle Mine, which produced over 90% of the world’s pink diamonds. As a result, large Fancy Vivid Blue and Pink diamonds are among the most coveted and valuable gems in the world, commanding record-breaking prices when they do surface.
Famous Celebrity 10 Carat Diamond Rings
One of the most famous 10 carat diamond rings was given to Hollywood actress Grace Kelly by Prince Rainier III of Monaco in 1956. Her custom made Cartier ring featured a 10.47 carat emerald cut diamond with two baguette diamonds set in platinum. Catherine Zeta-Jones received a 10 carat marquise diamond engagement ring from Micheal Douglas in 1999. Kourtney Kardashian received an oval diamond engagement ring estimated to be between 10-12 carats from Travis Barker in 2021. Justin Bieber upgraded Hailey Baldwin Bieber's original engagement ring with a larger oval diamond that is estimated to be around 10 carats.
10 Carat Diamond Ring Price
Prices for 10 carat diamonds vary widely but prices generally start at $200,000 to $400,000 for an F color and VS clarity. The price for a 10 carat diamond that is D or E at the top of the colorless scale and Flawless or Internally Flawless diamonds can vary widely because these diamonds are extremely rare in the market. In general, a budget of at least $500,000 to $1 million is required to source a 10 carat diamond is D or E color and Flawless or Internally Flawless. A Type IIa diamond is another important quality designation that can also increase the value of the diamond. A fancy intense or fancy vivid yellow diamond that is 10 carats is even rarer than a white diamond. A pink or blue 10 carat diamond is significantly rarer than a yellow diamond so expect to have a much larger budget for these diamonds. Sotheby's recommends only purchasing a 10 carat diamond ring with a GIA certificate.
A 10 carat diamond ring is the ultimate statement of rarity, luxury, and personal significance. Whether you are selecting one for an engagement, an anniversary, or as an investment in an extraordinary gemstone, understanding the nuances of cut, clarity, and color is essential. From classic colorless diamonds to the exceptional beauty of rare colored diamonds like The Mediterranean Blue, these remarkable gems represent not only timeless elegance but also enduring value. With expert guidance and careful selection, a 10 carat diamond ring can be a treasured symbol of life’s most meaningful moments.
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