What Things Actually Cost
The full pricing breakdown by ring type, diamond spec, and metal — real numbers from real jewellers
Read guide 5 min
Budget reality calculator
What does your budget actually get you in Hatton Garden?
Enter what you want to spend. We show you the diamond size, quality, and setting you can realistically expect — no vague "prices vary" nonsense.
Drag the slider to set your total ring budget — diamond and setting included.
£3,000
£1,000£20,000+
Natural or lab-grown?
Same physical diamond, different origin. Lab-grown gets you significantly more stone for the same spend.
What shape catches your eye?
Round is the most popular — and the most expensive per carat. Fancy shapes give you more size for the same money.
What £3,000 gets you
Lab-grown round diamond
Carat size
1.2 – 1.8 ct
Cut grade
Excellent
Colour range
D – F
Clarity range
VS1 – VS2
Metal
18K white gold or platinum
Setting styles
Solitaire, halo, or pave
For comparison: the same budget with a natural diamond
Choosing a natural diamond means a smaller stone at the same budget — but some buyers value a natural origin.
Carat size
0.6 – 0.9 ct
Cut grade
Excellent to Very Good
Colour range
F – G
Clarity range
VS1 – VS2
Metal
18K white gold
Setting styles
Solitaire or halo
How we calculated these ranges
These figures are based on real pricing from Hatton Garden jewellers for GIA and IGI certified diamonds as of 2026. We track prices across both online-first and traditional showroom jewellers to give you realistic expectations — not best-case or worst-case, but what most buyers actually pay.
The budget includes both the diamond and the setting. A solitaire in 18K white gold runs around £400-£800, a halo or pave setting £800-£1,500. The tool accounts for this — the carat ranges shown are what you get after setting cost is factored in.
Keep researching
Now you know what your budget gets you — here's how to make the most of it.
Common Questions
How accurate are these budget estimates?+
These ranges are based on real Hatton Garden pricing as of 2026 for GIA and IGI certified diamonds. Prices fluctuate with the global diamond market, so treat these as realistic ranges rather than fixed quotes. Lab-grown diamond prices in particular have been falling steadily, so you may find even better value than shown here.
Why is there such a big difference between natural and lab-grown?+
Lab-grown diamonds are chemically and physically identical to natural diamonds but cost significantly less to produce. The price difference is not about quality — a 1ct lab-grown D colour VS1 looks identical to its natural equivalent under a loupe. The difference is origin and resale value. Natural diamonds hold more resale value over time, while lab-grown diamonds are a better option if size and specs matter more to you than future resale.
Does the shape of the diamond really affect the price?+
Yes, significantly. Round brilliant diamonds cost more per carat because the cutting process wastes more rough stone — up to 60% of the raw diamond is lost. Fancy shapes like oval, cushion, and pear retain more of the rough, so they cost 15-25% less per carat. An oval diamond also appears larger than a round of the same carat weight because of its elongated face-up profile.
Should I spend my entire budget on the diamond?+
No. Your budget needs to cover both the diamond and the setting. A simple solitaire setting in 18K white gold typically costs £400-£800. A halo or pave setting can run £800-£1,500 depending on complexity and metal. The figures in this calculator include both the diamond and a setting appropriate to the budget level.
What if my budget is under £1,000?+
You can still get a beautiful ring in Hatton Garden. Below £1,000, we would recommend looking at lab-grown diamonds (where you can find a 0.3-0.5ct stone with good specs) or considering a gemstone centre stone like sapphire or moissanite. Some Hatton Garden jewellers also offer financing options. Use our ring builder tool to explore configurations at any budget.