Buying Guide for a 9 Carat Diamond Ring

As the song goes, “Diamonds are Forever.” What better choice for your special lady’s forever jewel than a 9-carat diamond ring. Besides being rare, which makes this diamond a premium choice, this ring is for ladies who want to dazzle. Here you’ll learn everything you need to know about a 9-carat diamond ring.

How Big Is a 9-Carat Diamond Engagement Ring?

When you think of a diamond’s size, you may assume that carat refers to a diamond’s dimensions. In actual fact, it refers to the weight measurement. A single carat equals 0.2 grams. Hence a 9-carat diamond will weigh 1.8 grams.

As such, 9-carat diamonds are big, and yes, there is a connection between their size and weight. However, the size is dependent on the way a diamond has been cut. A popular diamond shape, the 9-carat round brilliant cut, is about 13.20mm in diameter. Diamonds that look bigger are usually oval or pear shaped. Below is a table showing the different types of 9-carat diamond shapes and their dimensions:

9 Carat Diamond Type	Dimensions
Round Cut Diamond	13.52mm x 13.52mm x 8.15mm
Cushion Cut Diamond	12.12mm x 12.12mm x 7.76mm
Emerald Cut Diamond	13.89mm x 10.29mm x 6.69
Oval Cut Diamond	16.88mm x 11.25mm x 6.86
Marquise Cut Diamond	21.6mm x 10.8mm x 6.59mm
Princess Cut Diamond	11.46mm x 11.46mm x 8.25mm
Pear Cut Diamond	18.82mm x 11.34mm x 6.92
Radiant Cut Diamond	12.02mm x 12.02mm x 7.69
Asscher Cut Diamond	11.68mm x 11.68mm x 7.59mm

The Cost of a 9-Carat Diamond Ring

Pricing for a diamond is decided by cut, clarity, color, and carat. A good example is that a 0.65 princess cut carat G VS2 diamond can have a slightly higher value compared to a 0.63 princess cut carat G VS2 diamond.

A diamond with a perfect cut costs much more than a stone with a poor cut. Most diamonds that are poorly cut have to be recut to increase the selling value, and this reduces the diamond’s weight, further decreasing it’s value.

The color of a diamond changes the value of the diamond. To determine the color value, a color grade scale from the letter D down to the letter Z is used. As you go further down the letter scale, the value of the diamond decreases. The best diamond color is the letter D. This type of diamond is completely colorless. The Z color diamonds have a noticeable yellow hue, and as you go down the scale, the yellow hue becomes stronger.

The clarity of a diamond affects the diamond’s price in that the less blemishes a diamond has at 10 times magnification, the higher its price value. If a diamond has more blemishes, its value is lower.

VVS2 and VS2 stones contain tiny inclusions that are hard to spot under a loupe using a 10 power magnification. VVS is alliteration for “Very Vert Slightly Included.” SI2 stones contain inclusions that are easily spotted under a loupe with a 10 power magnification. They can also be seen with the naked eye.

Below is a wholesale diamond price guide in USD for different colors and clarities:

Color	VVS2	VS2	SI2
D	96,517	74,118	32,042
E	86,041	67,127	30,306
F	82,027	56,124	28,130
G	63,393	42,127	26,275
H	49,532	37,018	23.580
I	39,275	31,109	19,663
J	29,166	26,103	18,366
K	23,253	20,105	14,605

How to Find the Perfect 9-Carat Diamond Ring

If you’re going to buy a 9-carat diamond ring, you definitely want the best quality at the best price. It wouldn’t be ideal to spend an enormous amount of money on a lower grade – carat diamond with no visual appeal to justify the 9 carats.

Here are some considerations to bear in mind:

The Diamond Weight

Check for the diamond weight (carat) according to your budget. The more the diamond weighs, the more you will pay. For example, 1 carat is the same as 0.0002 kilogram, so a 9-carat diamond weighs 1.8 grams. A 1-carat diamond is priced at around half of the cost of a 9-carat diamond. A larger diamond traps and reflects light perfectly. As such, it can cost between 5 to 10 times more than diamonds of similar quality but half the size.

The Band

The band is an important factor when choosing a great 9-carat diamond ring. It can add to the price of the ring depending on which band you select. Research the different types of bands your partner thinks would suit her finger, and the different prices. The metal of the band is also important to consider. Different metals are white gold, yellow gold, platinum, and rose gold. Each different band color changes the way the diamond looks.

The Shape/Cut

The shape (cut) of the diamond is important to consider. Some ladies like large in-your-face diamonds, and some prefer simple, demure, and smaller diamond shapes. Shapes for 9-carat rings include; Round, Oval, Princess, Emerald, Cushion, Marquise, Pear, Radiant, and Asscher. You could google these different cuts and see which one your partner prefers. Another option would be to take her to a ring shop and have her try on the different cuts.

View the Ring Under Different Lighting

A good tip when physically looking at rings instore would be to see them under different lighting. When you see rings instore, they’re under spotlighting, which naturally makes diamonds look more brilliant or dazzling to the eye. So, try to test your diamond under different types of lighting, like the outdoors, under shadow, under fluorescent lighting, diffused lighting, etc.

The Diamond Setting

The setting of a diamond is another important thing to consider when buying your 9-carat engagement ring. The setting holds the diamond in place and also protects it from any possible damage. There are two types of settings, Prong and Bezel. With the Prong setting, the diamond is kept in place by four to six prongs. Six prongs make a round brilliant diamond look rounder and they hold the diamond in place. Four prongs make a round diamond look a bit square and take up less of the diamonds space.

Only Buy From a Reputable Jeweler

It’s very important when buying your 9-carat diamond ring to make sure to buy from a reputable and trustworthy jeweler. Your jeweler needs to be expertly trained to answer any questions you have and to be able to explain how to buy your ideal ring. A jeweler that has been well educated will explain the 4C’s of your diamond’s quality; the cut, clarity, carat and color.

The Ring Size

Last but not least and certainly the most important! Your partner’s ring size! When you have decided on your chosen color, shape and size of your preferred 9-carat diamond ring, you have to measure your partner’s ring size. You can easily do this with a ring sizer, (contains several plastic or metal rings in various sizes) which you ask your partner to try on. Your jeweler has these readily available for you to use to fit the perfect fit for your partner’s finger. If you’d like the ring to be a surprise, try to guess the size of your partner’s finger by asking for a ring your partner wears. You then trace the inner circle of the ring on paper, or place it on one of your fingers and draw a line where it stops. Any jeweler will be able to assist you to guess the ideal ring size.

Comparison of 9-Carat Weight (CW) and 9 Total Carat Weight (CTW)

When you’re shopping for a diamond ring, you’ll hear the terms “Carat Weight” and “Carat Total Weight,” and it would be a good idea to know exactly what these terms mean. It’s easy to get misled by fancy descriptions for your jewels or rings. Unscrupulous jewelers can use these terms to deceive potential buyers.

The Carat Weight, which is known as either CT or CW, shows the metric weight of one diamond. When looking at a ring with one stone, the descriptions of the carat weight refer to the weight of the single diamond in the ring. If the diamond comes with a lab grading report, you can check for the carat weight value of the diamond. It’s recommended to only purchase diamonds that come with grading reports from trustable labs such as GIA or AGS.

If a ring has several diamonds, you will see the term Carat Total Weight being referenced in the ring descriptions. Carat Total Weight refers to the weight summation of the total of all the diamonds found in the ring. CWT, TW or TDW are other abbreviations used in this respect.

Get to Know the Different Shapes and Cuts for 9 Carat Diamond Rings

The Round Cut Diamond

This classic diamond cut has been carefully designed to display the best sparkle and dazzle. Round diamonds don’t have the biggest face up area, but they look larger due to their brilliance. The wider round diamond is 4 carats, and it can look larger than different diamond shapes. For 9-carat diamond rings, it’s suggested to try them on to see how they look on the wearers hand to see suitability. Unfortunately, as round diamond rings are so popular, they are the priciest.

The Cushion Cut Diamond

Cushion cut diamonds are not as wide as round diamonds, because the weight is distributed to the corners of the diamond. They can also look much smaller on the hand. These cuts are created to showcase flashes of colorful light. This diamond cut is one of the oldest types, but it’s been growing in popularity. They’re much cheaper than round diamonds, though there aren’t many color variations. For that reason, it’s suggested to choose an H color. They hide inclusions effectively, and you can come across an SI2 cushion cut diamond that looks flawless.

The Emerald Cut Diamond

Emerald cut diamonds come in different shape variations, which depend on an L/W ratio. The narrower width of an emerald cut diamond is better suited to higher carat weight values. This means that the size of the stone is not overwhelming the finger and the longer length of the stone has a more elegant look. Emerald cut diamonds reflect light in a beautiful way which is similar to how a ‘hall of mirrors’ looks. They are rarer than other diamond shapes, and can often be much cheaper than round diamond rings which are the same carat weight. They can make the wearer’s finger look slimmer due to the elongated shape. With this cut of diamond though, inclusions can be easily seen, and their face up size is smaller than the round diamonds. The best value color for your money would be an H color, and the best clarity would be VS2. If you want a stone that has a larger face up value, you can look for rings with shallower stones.

The Oval Cut Diamond

The oval cut diamond looks like an elongated round diamond. They are longer and narrower than round diamonds. This can look flattering on fingers if the diamonds are a higher carat weight value. Oval cut diamonds have the dazzling effect of round diamonds, and they also help to lengthen the finger due to their elongated shape. When it comes to their price, they are between 10%-30% less expensive than their round counterparts, and have a bigger face up area. Inclusions are hidden well in oval cut diamonds. As such, an SI2 diamond will look clean to the eye. The best color to go with for the oval cut is H, as these cuts can show more color.

The Marquise Cut Diamond

Due to its elongated shape, the marquise cut diamond looks larger on the finger. It also makes the finger look slimmer. This cut has the biggest face up area in comparison to all the other diamond cuts. It also costs much less than the round diamonds that are the same carat value, and can often be sold as sets. It’s suggested that when you choose the marquise cut diamond, you should check that it looks symmetrical. Marquise cut diamonds will hide inclusions well and you can get an SI2 clarity diamond which looks clean to the eye on a budget. For color choices, H colors look white in white gold and I or J colors look ideal in rose and yellow gold.

The Princess Cut Diamond

The princess cut diamond is much cheaper than the other diamond cuts. It’s also one of the prettier diamond shapes. These cuts tend to have face up sizes that are smaller, despite their long diagonal size making them appear to be larger. This fancy shaped cut is one of the more popular. A downside of the princess cut diamond is that it’s sharp corners can often snag or chip, and so these have to be protected with prongs. It’s important to make sure that there are no inclusions near the edges of this particular cut of diamond. For a beautiful diamond choice at a lower price value, choose an SI1 clarity diamond. Interestingly, an H or I color will look great on white gold and the diamond will look white. If you’d prefer rose or yellow gold, then go for a J color diamond.

The Pear Cut Diamond

This elongated choice of diamond has a lovely, unique cut shape. Despite having a larger face up area than round cut diamonds, they cost between 10%-30% less. As with the princess cut diamond, the pear cut diamond is also prone to chip and snag. Plus, it has to be protected by prongs. You can check the lab report that comes with the rings so see if the tip of the diamond has no inclusions. It’s important to check this because inclusions weaken the diamond. The ideal color for the pear cut diamond is H, and the best clarity is SI2.

The Radiant Cut Diamond

The radiant cut diamond is one of the more dazzling diamond cuts. Sparkly and brilliant, it has truncated corners which making it more durable than the princess cut diamond. These diamond cuts are about 20%-39% cheaper than round diamonds.

Elongated versions of the radiant cut diamond can look bigger than round diamonds. The radiant cut diamond has a smaller face up value than the round diamonds. They hide inclusions well, and an SI2 clarity diamond looks amazing. H color diamonds will be great value for money if you’re going for a white gold ring, but you can choose an I color if you prefer yellow or rose gold.

The Asscher Cut Diamond

The Asscher cut diamond is classic and elegant with sparkling light flashes. This cut is a less common cut for 9-carat diamond rings. As such, there isn’t a large selection to choose from. Most Asscher cut diamonds have thin delicate bands and prongs that make the diamond look much larger. With higher carat weights, these thin bands may struggle to support the diamond. Also, the band might twist on the finger which would be annoying and uncomfortable for the wearer.

Some Pros and Cons of Buying a Vintage 9-Carat Diamond Ring

Pros:

History – Antique 9-carat diamond rings have a rich history as well as longevity that adds to their mystery and uniqueness.

Value – Vintage rings are second-hand pieces, and are usually sold for much less than new rings, which makes them a more affordable option for a classy, elegant ring.

Uniqueness – Antique and vintage 9-carat diamond rings were created before modern ring-making machines existed. For that reason, these designs are unlikely to have many replicas. Typically, they were created by hand and more attention to details like lace or filigree was paid.

Conflict-free – Conflict diamonds were sold to assist human rights abuses, terrorism, or civil wars. Older rings are not associated with conflict stones, however, as they were made before these conflicts.

Cons:

Dullness – Due to the old process that was used to make vintage diamonds, they don’t have a lot of internal light reflection.

Color – These stones tend to have warm yellow or brown tones.

Style – Not everyone likes the styles of vintage rings.

Upkeep – Most vintage rings require extra care to keep them looking good.

Less durable – Some vintage rings are quite delicate and won’t be suited to every day wearing.

What to Ask an Expert

Ask about the origin of the diamond

A diamond’s origin ties in with the stone’s quality. Most of the best diamonds come from Russian, South Africa, Australia, and Canada. Most diamonds from these countries have strict regulations to do with processing and selling.

Ask about the diamond’s certificate, return policy and warranty

Ask if your diamond has been certified by a reputable, official gemological lab, and make sure the certificate has important information regarding the quality of the diamond. Also it would be good to know about the return policy, as well as the diamond warranty, in case you have an issue with your diamond, or there’s some damage that your jeweler provides cover for.

Ask about any customer service options

As a customer you want to feel safe and confident when purchasing your diamond ring. Don’t hesitate to ask your jeweler about any interesting customer service options they may have, as well as how they can support you, be it via online chats, emails, or phone calls.

Ask about the delivery of your ring

If you’re buying a diamond ring online, it’s important to know about the jeweler’s delivery options. You need to clarify when your ring will be sent to you, how long it will take to arrive, as well as the different shipping options available. Due to the expense of your ring, it’s important to ensure that your jeweler provides protected shipping and tracking for the package.

Talk to an Expert

Buying a 9-carat diamond ring can be an overwhelming process. But don’t worry. You’re not alone. Our experts would love to help you choose from our awesome selection according to your budget and preference. Feel free to reach out and contact us for assistance.