Make the Million Dollar Leap with a 20 Carat Diamond Ring
Discover everything you need to know before making the million-dollar leap with a stunning 20 carat diamond ring. Explore rarity, pricing, and expert buying tips.
For those seeking the ultimate symbol of luxury, a 20 carat diamond ring represents not just a dazzling statement piece but also a significant investment. Whether you're proposing, celebrating a milestone, or adding to a fine jewelry collection, understanding the intricacies of selecting such a rare gemstone is essential. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know before making the million-dollar leap.
Why a 20 Carat Diamond Ring?
A 20 carat diamond ring is more than just a piece of jewelry—it is a masterpiece of nature and craftsmanship. Buyers typically seek these exceptional diamonds for engagement rings, anniversary upgrades, or to commemorate a major life achievement. One of the most compelling reasons to choose a 20 carat diamond is its rarity; as diamonds increase in size, high-quality specimens become exceedingly scarce.
The sheer visual impact of a 20 carat diamond is remarkable yet remains wearable for daily elegance. A 20 carat round diamond measures approximately 20.3 to 21.0 millimeters in diameter—roughly the size of a U.S. dime. These diamonds tend to retain or even appreciate in value over time due to their scarcity. At this size, the precision of the cut and polish becomes even more crucial, as it enhances the diamond’s brilliance and unique characteristics. A 20 carat diamond also allows for a variety of custom settings without overshadowing its striking presence.
How to Select a 20 Carat Diamond Ring
When searching for a 20 carat diamond ring, it's best to begin with a clear budget and an idea of preferred shapes. Most buyers set a minimum budget of $1 million, though lower-quality 20 carat diamonds may be available for slightly less. However, given the size of the stone, any imperfections in color or clarity are more pronounced.
The most popular diamond cuts for a 20 carat stone are Oval, Pear Shape, and Emerald Cut, though Cushion and Radiant Cuts are also attractive options. Since no two 20 carat diamonds are alike, it’s advisable to compare several before making a final choice. The shopping process requires patience, as sourcing such exceptional diamonds takes time. Having flexibility in exact carat weight and additional time for a custom setting can help ensure the perfect purchase.
For a truly remarkable diamond, Sotheby’s specialists recommend seeking a natural diamond with expert cutting, high clarity, and superior color grading. Because larger diamonds make imperfections more visible, starting at a clarity grade of VVS1 is acceptable, though Flawless or Internally Flawless diamonds are ideal. A Flawless 20 carat diamond will have no visible inclusions, even under magnification.
When selecting color, D is the highest grade, representing pure, colorless perfection. For a top-tier 20 carat diamond, D or E color grades are recommended. Cut quality is equally crucial—round diamonds should have an Excellent cut grade, while fancy shapes should be at least Very Good. Many collectors opt for Type IIa diamonds, which are the purest form of natural diamonds, free from nitrogen and boron impurities. These diamonds, comprising less than 2% of all mined diamonds, offer unmatched brilliance and clarity.
Type I and Type II Diamonds
About 95% of diamonds are Type Ia, containing trace amounts of nitrogen. These diamonds are commonly found in engagement rings and fine jewelry. Type Ib diamonds, often associated with vivid canary yellow hues, are also relatively rare.
Type II diamonds are significantly rarer and exhibit superior clarity due to fewer inclusions. Type IIa diamonds are the purest, free from nitrogen or boron, and often display exceptional transparency and brilliance. They can be found in rare colors such as pink, brown, and blue. In 2020, Sotheby’s sold a Lorraine Schwartz oval-shaped 21.56 carat diamond ring that was D color, internally flawless and Type IIa for nearly $2 million.
Type IIb diamonds contain boron, giving them a distinctive blue or grayish-blue hue. These diamonds are even rarer than Type IIa and are unique in their ability to conduct electricity. The famous Hope Diamond is an example of a Type IIb diamond.
Famous Celebrity 20 Carat Diamond Rings
A few iconic celebrity engagements have featured extraordinary 20 carat diamond rings. Kanye West proposed to Kim Kardashian in 2016 with a Lorraine Schwartz emerald-cut 20 carat diamond ring valued at $4.5 million. Paris Hilton’s engagement ring from Carter Reum, designed by Jean Dousset (a descendant of Louis Cartier), also features a 20 carat emerald-cut diamond and is worth approximately $2 million. Another legendary ring is Beyoncé’s 18 carat emerald-cut diamond engagement ring from Jay-Z, valued at $5 million.
20 Carat Diamond Ring Price
Prices for 20 carat diamonds vary significantly based on color, clarity, and rarity. At the lower end, a 20 carat F-color, VVS-clarity diamond starts at around $1 million. The price for a 20 carat diamond that is D or E-color and Flawless or Internally Flawless can command anywhere from $1 million to $3 million or more. Type IIa diamonds, given their superior purity and brilliance, further elevate the value. For those seeking even rarer gems, fancy-colored diamonds increase in price exponentially. A 20 carat Fancy Intense or Fancy Vivid Yellow diamond is rarer than a white diamond, while pink or blue 20 carat diamonds are even more exceptional, often requiring a much larger budget. Sotheby’s recommends purchasing only GIA-certified diamonds to ensure authenticity and quality.
A 20 carat diamond ring is the pinnacle of luxury. Whether you’re acquiring one for love, celebration, or as a collector’s item, understanding the nuances of rarity, quality, and market value is essential. With the right knowledge and guidance, you can confidently make the million-dollar leap and own a truly exceptional piece of history.
Advantages to Buying Diamonds on the Secondary Market
1. Access
Sotheby’s provides exclusive access to a curated selection of diamond jewelry from the world’s most prestigious maisons, including renowned designers and established jewelers. As a leading global marketplace, Sotheby’s offers pristine diamonds featuring the rarest gemstones and exceptional craftsmanship. Our jewelry specialists work closely with collectors worldwide to source the most coveted and sought-after diamond jewelry.
2. Flexibility
Sotheby’s offers multiple purchasing options for diamond jewelry, including online and in person at our locations in New York, Hong Kong, Zurich, Paris, and London. We also offer a bespoke concierge service to help source specific diamond jewelry not available online.
3. Value
While various boutiques often feature select collections of diamond jewelry, finding particular designs, rare gemstones, or one-of-a-kind pieces can be difficult due to limited availability. Sotheby’s provides a curated selection of exceptional diamond jewelry, from vintage masterpieces to modern creations, available for purchase without the need to visit a store. Shopping with Sotheby’s allows you to discover extraordinary pieces in one place, saving time while ensuring the authenticity, value, and quality of each piece.
4. Discovery
One of the greatest advantages of shopping in a global luxury marketplace is the opportunity to discover rare and unique diamond jewelry pieces that are no longer available through traditional retail channels. Our curated selection of diamond jewelry is continuously refreshed, ensuring that you’ll always find something new and exclusive.
Buy and Sell 20 Carat Diamond Rings At Sotheby's
Sotheby's often has impressive 20 carat diamond rings and larger diamond rings available at auction. Sotheby's also has a curated selection of large diamond rings available for immediate purchase on marketplace. If you would like to source a special High Jewelry 20 carat diamond ring, a salon specialist would be happy to assist.
Sotheby's also provides custom high jewelry services and custom engagement ring services with loose 20 carat diamonds. Sotheby's is able to source rare and impressive 20 carat diamonds from its global supplier network. Prices for 20 carat diamond rings generally require a minimum budget of $1 million and rise significantly for more coveted diamonds.
- Explore upcoming jewelry at auctions in New York, London, Switzerland, Paris, and Hong Kong.
- Contact a Salon Associate in New York, Zurich or Hong Kong to schedule an appointment.
- Speak to a Jewelry Specialist about selling a 20 carat diamond ring.
Trust our worldwide network of leading jewelry specialists from a globally renowned auction house established in 1744.
