How Much Does a 1 Carat Lab-Grown Diamond Cost in the UK? (2026 Guide)
Updated October 2026
The short answer
UK jewellers' published 2026 price guides put a finished 1 carat lab-grown diamond ring at around £1,200 to £4,500. Where a ring sits in that range comes down to three things: the quality of the stone, the metal, and the setting.
At The Lab Jewellers, a 1.00ct lab-grown diamond solitaire ring is £1,150 in solid 14kt gold and £1,350 to £1,550 in solid 18kt gold, or £325 in 925 sterling silver. Every one is set with a D to F colour, VS1 clarity or better lab-grown diamond, and every one includes an independent IGI grading report for the centre stone at no extra cost.
The rest of this guide shows our prices in full and explains what you are paying for, so you can choose with confidence.
Our 1 carat prices, in full
Live prices as of October 2026. Every piece is made to order, dispatched in around four weeks including UK hallmarking where required, and delivered free in the UK, tracked and signed for.
1.00ct lab-grown diamond solitaire rings
| Ring | 14kt gold | 18kt gold | 925 sterling silver | IGI report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Romy, round solitaire with grooved band | £1,150 | £1,550 | £325 | Included |
| Maeve, round solitaire | £1,150 | £1,550 | £325 | Included |
| Eleanor, cathedral round solitaire | £1,150 | £1,550 | £325 | Included |
| Eloise, crossover round solitaire | £1,150 | £1,450 | £325 | Included |
| Willow, swirl round solitaire | £1,150 | £1,350 | £325 | Included |
Each ring holds one 6.50mm round lab-grown diamond of approximately 1.00ct. Gold rings come in white, yellow or rose gold at the same price, made in your UK ring size at no extra charge.
1.00ct lab-grown diamond solitaire pendants
| Pendant | 14kt gold | 18kt gold | 925 sterling silver | IGI report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dawn, round | £895 | £1,050 | £295 | Included |
| Thea, oval | £835 | £925 | £295 | Included |
| Auriol, princess | £835 | £925 | £295 | Included |
Each pendant holds a single lab-grown diamond of approximately 1.00ct, so each one comes with an individual IGI grading report as standard.
1 carat total lab-grown diamond stud earrings (two 0.50ct stones)
| Earrings | 14kt gold | 18kt gold | 925 sterling silver |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chiara, round | £750 | £925 | £275 |
| Alba, pear | £745 | £975 | £275 |
A step up: a 1.5ct centre
Rosamund has a 1.5ct radiant cut lab-grown diamond centre between two emerald cut lab-grown diamond side stones: £1,750 in 14kt gold and £2,195 in 18kt gold, with an IGI report for the centre stone included.
What you are paying for in a 1 carat lab-grown diamond
Cut
Cut decides how much light comes back to your eye. A well cut 1 carat lab-grown diamond looks brighter and livelier than a poorly cut stone of the same weight. Round brilliant lab-grown diamonds can receive a formal cut grade; fancy shapes such as oval, pear and princess are judged on their proportions, symmetry and overall make.
Colour
Colour is graded from D (colourless) to Z (light yellow), and the colourless end costs more. Every lab-grown diamond we set is D to F colour, the top of the scale.
Clarity
Clarity describes tiny internal marks, graded from Flawless down to Included. Ours are VS1 clarity or better, so any marks are very small and not visible to the eye in normal wear.
Certificate
An independent grading report from a laboratory such as IGI records the stone's carat, colour, clarity and cut, and confirms its laboratory-grown origin. It is your proof of exactly what you are buying, and it matters most at 1 carat and above.
Our IGI rule: every piece with a centre stone of 1.00ct or more on its own, in silver or gold, comes with an individual IGI grading report as standard, at no extra cost and with no added lead time.
Watch for the word "total". A pair of 1ct total stud earrings is two stones of about 0.50ct each, and a 1ct total ring may be a smaller centre with side stones. Those sit below our 1.00ct rule, so they are not supplied with an IGI report. If one certified stone matters to you, choose a solitaire ring or pendant with a 1.00ct centre.
Metal: 14kt or 18kt gold, or sterling silver
18kt gold holds more pure gold than 14kt, so it costs more: on our 1.00ct solitaire rings the step up is £200 to £400, and on our 1.00ct pendants it is £90 to £155. 14kt is a little harder wearing; 18kt has a richer colour. We use solid 14kt and 18kt gold only, never 9ct. In 925 sterling silver, the same 1.00ct lab-grown diamond ring is £325.
Setting and design
More metal, more claws, side stones, halos and detailed bands all add making time and material. That is why two rings with the same 1.00ct centre stone can be priced differently.
Loose stone or finished piece
A loose stone price covers the stone alone. A finished piece also covers the gold or silver, the setting, the craftsmanship, UK hallmarking where required and, with us, the IGI report on any 1.00ct or larger centre stone. When you compare prices, compare a finished ring with a finished ring.
How to choose your 1 carat lab-grown diamond
- Set your budget for the finished piece, not just the stone.
- Pick your metal first: 14kt gold for everyday strength, 18kt for richer colour, or sterling silver.
- Stay in the colourless, eye clean range. D to F colour and VS1 or better is the standard we set on every stone.
- Ask for the grading report. On a 1.00ct centre stone, an IGI report should be part of the price.
- Check the words "total" and "centre". They tell you whether 1 carat means one stone or several.
- Get your ring size right. Our ring sizer lets you measure at home before you order.
Want help choosing? Email info@thelabjewellers.com and we will guide you to the right piece before you order.
Frequently asked questions
How much is a 1 carat lab-grown diamond ring in the UK?
UK jewellers' published 2026 price guides put a finished 1 carat lab-grown diamond ring at around £1,200 to £4,500. Our 1.00ct lab-grown diamond solitaire rings are £1,150 in 14kt gold, £1,350 to £1,550 in 18kt gold and £325 in 925 sterling silver, each with an IGI report included.
How does a lab-grown diamond compare with a mined diamond?
GIA explains that laboratory-grown diamonds have the same crystal structure of tightly bonded carbon atoms as diamonds from the earth, with nearly the same chemical, optical and physical properties. The difference is how and where they grew, which a gem laboratory can detect with advanced instruments. That is why we always describe ours as lab-grown diamonds.
Does a 1 carat lab-grown diamond come with a certificate?
With us, any piece with a centre stone of 1.00ct or more on its own comes with an individual IGI grading report as standard, at no extra cost. A pair of 1ct total earrings is two 0.50ct stones, so it sits below that rule.
Do lab-grown diamonds hold their value?
No, and we will always be straight with you about that: lab-grown diamonds have low resale value. We never sell jewellery as an investment. Choose a lab-grown diamond because you love it and will wear it every day.
Is 14kt or 18kt gold better for a 1 carat lab-grown diamond ring?
Both are solid gold. 14kt is a little harder wearing for everyday life; 18kt has a richer colour and more pure gold. On our 1.00ct solitaire rings, 18kt costs £200 to £400 more than 14kt.
How long does a 1 carat lab-grown diamond ring take to arrive?
Every piece is made to order and dispatched in around four weeks, including UK hallmarking where required. UK delivery is free, tracked and signed for.
Sources: UK jewellers' published 2026 price guides (September 2026); GIA, "Laboratory-Grown Diamonds". Our prices are read from our live store, October 2026.