The honest answer: an engagement ring costs whatever you can pay without borrowing. But that is not useful when you are staring at a screen full of prices that range from 20 000 to 500 000 Kč. So let us look at what actually drives the number — and where the money is well spent.
What a diamond engagement ring costs in 2026
With certified lab-grown diamonds, here is what different budgets realistically buy in 18kt gold:
| Budget | What it typically buys |
|---|---|
| 30 000 – 45 000 Kč | Classic solitaire, roughly 0.5–0.9 ct, excellent cut, eye-clean clarity |
| 45 000 – 70 000 Kč | 1 ct territory, or a smaller centre stone with pavé band or halo |
| 70 000 – 120 000 Kč | 1.2–1.5 ct with top colour and clarity, or a distinctive cut |
| 120 000 Kč + | Large centre stones, fancy-colour diamonds, elaborate settings |
The same rings with mined diamonds would typically cost two to three times more — which is precisely why lab-grown has become the default choice for people who care more about the stone than about its origin story.
Why the "three months' salary" rule is nonsense
It was invented as an advertising campaign in the 1930s and pushed hard again in the 1980s. It has no basis in tradition, etiquette or finance. No one you love wants a ring that came with debt attached. Set a number you are comfortable with and optimise within it — that is the entire skill.
What actually drives the price
Carat weight (non-linear)
Price does not rise in a straight line with weight. A 1.00 ct stone costs disproportionately more than a 0.90 ct stone because round numbers command a premium. Buying just under a threshold — 0.90 instead of 1.00, 1.40 instead of 1.50 — can save a significant amount for a difference nobody can see.
Cut quality
The one place never to economise. Cut determines how the stone handles light, and light is what people actually notice. An excellent-cut 0.9 ct outperforms a poorly cut 1.2 ct in every real-world situation.
Colour and clarity
This is where most people overspend. Colour D, E and F are all "colourless" and look identical once set. Clarity VS1 and VS2 are eye-clean — the inclusions are invisible without magnification. Paying for Flawless or D colour buys a better certificate, not a better-looking ring.
The setting and metal
A plain solitaire band uses little metal. Pavé, halo and eternity designs add many small diamonds and considerable labour. Platinum costs more than 18kt gold.
Where it is made
Mass-produced rings are cheaper. Handcrafted, made-to-order pieces — like ours, made by master goldsmiths in Valenza, Italy — cost more in labour but deliver finishing that machine production cannot match.
How to get the most ring for your money
- Choose lab-grown. The single biggest lever — typically two to three times more stone for the same money.
- Prioritise cut, economise on clarity. Excellent cut, VS1–VS2 clarity, F–G colour is the sweet spot.
- Buy just below round weights. 0.90 ct instead of 1.00 ct.
- Consider oval or pear. They look larger per carat than round.
- Use a pavé band or halo. Small diamonds add perceived size for far less than a bigger centre stone.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a 1 carat engagement ring cost?
With a certified lab-grown diamond in 18kt gold, expect roughly 45 000 – 70 000 Kč depending on cut, colour, clarity and setting. A comparable mined stone would typically be two to three times higher.
Is a lab-grown diamond cheaper because it is lower quality?
No. It is cheaper because production is faster and does not involve mining. The stones are graded by the same laboratories, on the same scale, and are chemically and optically identical.
Do lab-grown diamonds hold value?
Diamonds of any origin are poor financial investments — resale is well below retail for mined stones too. Buy a ring to be worn and loved, not as an asset.
What is a realistic minimum for a good engagement ring?
Around 30 000 Kč buys a genuinely beautiful, certified, well-cut lab-grown solitaire in 18kt gold.
See what your budget buys: browse our engagement rings, read the lab-grown diamond guide, or start with how to choose an engagement ring.