Two carats is a significant step up, and the price question deserves a straight answer rather than a sales pitch. The honest position is this: the price of a 2 carat cushion cut diamond depends far more on whether it is lab-grown or natural than on anything else, and the gap between those two is enormous.

This guide sets out what actually drives the number, what a finished ring costs beyond the stone, and how to spend sensibly at this size.

The single biggest factor: lab-grown or natural

A lab-grown diamond and a natural diamond are the same material. Same carbon crystal structure, same hardness, same sparkle. The difference is that one formed in the earth over a very long time and the other formed in a growing chamber over a matter of weeks.

Because supply of lab-grown stones is not constrained in the same way, a 2 carat lab-grown cushion costs a small fraction of a natural 2 carat cushion of comparable colour and clarity. Nothing else on this page moves the price by anything like as much.

As broad guidance rather than a quotation, and correct at the time of writing: a good quality 2 carat lab-grown cushion as a loose stone sits in the hundreds of pounds, and a natural equivalent typically sits in the thousands to tens of thousands depending on grades. We sell lab-grown only, and every centre stone comes with a free IGI certificate confirming exactly what it is.

What else changes the price of a 2 carat cushion

Colour

Colour grades run from D, meaning completely colourless, downwards through the alphabet. At 2 carats, any warmth is more visible than it would be in a small stone. In white gold or platinum, choose a colourless or near-colourless grade. In yellow or rose gold, a slightly warmer stone looks intentional and costs less.

Clarity

Clarity describes how few natural marks, called inclusions, a stone contains. Cushions are forgiving here. Their rounded, brilliant-style faceting scatters light and hides small inclusions well, so you rarely need the very top grades. VS2 is usually plenty, and SI1 can look perfectly clean if the inclusion sits away from the centre.

Cut quality

Cushions are not given a full standardised cut grade in the way round brilliants are, so this is where you have to look rather than read. A well-cut cushion has an even, lively pattern across the whole stone. A poorly cut one has dead patches. Ask for a video.

Square or elongated

A square cushion at 2 carats measures roughly 7mm across. An elongated cushion of the same weight might be closer to 8mm x 6mm. Elongated stones tend to look larger on the finger and are often slightly better value.

Depth

Cushions are often cut deep, which hides weight below the setting where nobody sees it. Two stones can both weigh 2.00ct and differ visibly in face-up size. Always compare millimetre measurements alongside the carat weight.

What the ring costs beyond the stone

People underestimate this. The metal and the craftsmanship are a real part of the bill, and at 2 carats the setting has to be built properly to hold a stone that size securely.

Choice	Effect on price
9ct versus 18ct gold	18ct contains more pure gold, so it costs more
Platinum	Denser and harder to work than gold, so more expensive again
Plain solitaire	Least expensive setting; one stone, clean band
Bezel setting	More metal, very secure, sits low
Halo or hidden halo	Adds many small diamonds and considerable labour
Three stone	Adds two further certified stones
Pavé band	Small diamonds set along the band; more stones, more setting time

Our real cushion prices

We hold three cushion cut designs as ready-made pieces, with smaller centre stones than 2 carats. Their prices are real and correct at the time of writing, and they give you an honest sense of what our craftsmanship costs before the stone size is scaled up.

Ring	Description	Price
Bezel Cushion Cut Engagement Ring in Platinum	Rim setting, platinum, very secure	£904
Three Stone Cushion Cut Engagement Ring	Centre cushion plus two side stones	£957
Solitaire Cushion Cut Wedding Band in Sterling Silver	Slim band with a single cushion	£904

For a 2 carat centre stone, we would build the ring bespoke. Bespoke work carries no extra design cost with us: you pay for the stone and the metal, and the design time is free. Tell us your budget honestly and we will tell you what it buys.

Browse the cushion cut collection or all engagement rings.

How to spend well at 2 carats

1. Buy just under the milestone. Prices step up sharply at 2.00ct. A 1.90ct cushion measures a fraction smaller and nobody will ever notice, but the saving is real.
2. Use the cushion’s forgiveness on clarity. The faceting hides small marks. Put the money into cut quality instead.
3. Match the colour grade to the metal. A warmer stone in yellow gold looks deliberate and costs less than a colourless stone in platinum.
4. Check the depth. A shallower, well-cut cushion gives you more visible size for the same weight.
5. Get the setting right. A 2 carat stone sits high and catches on things. A bezel or a sturdy four-claw setting is worth the extra metal.

Is 2 carats actually the right size for you?

Before spending at this level, it is worth checking that the size suits the hand and the life it will live on.

A 2 carat square cushion is about 7mm across. On a smaller ring size, say a J or K, that is a bold ring that covers a substantial part of the finger. On a larger ring size it looks more proportionate. Neither is better; they are simply different effects.

Consider daily wear too. A stone this size sits higher than a small one, and it will catch on jumper sleeves and coat pockets unless the setting is chosen sensibly. If you work with your hands, a bezel setting where a rim of metal surrounds the stone solves the problem entirely without looking clinical.

The honest test is the paper one. Cut a 7mm square with rounded corners from card, tape it to your finger and wear it for an afternoon. Plenty of people discover they prefer 1.5 carats, and that saving buys a better cut or a nicer metal.

Frequently asked questions

How much is a 2 carat cushion cut diamond?

It depends chiefly on whether it is lab-grown or natural. As guidance, a lab-grown 2 carat cushion of good quality sits in the hundreds of pounds as a loose stone, while a natural equivalent typically runs into the thousands. Colour, clarity, cut and the ring itself then move the final figure.

How big is a 2 carat cushion cut on the finger?

A square 2 carat cushion measures roughly 7mm across, which covers a good portion of an average finger and is unmistakably large. An elongated 2 carat cushion is closer to 8mm x 6mm and looks longer.

Is a lab-grown 2 carat cushion a real diamond?

Yes. It has the same chemical composition, hardness and optical behaviour as a mined diamond. The free IGI certificate we supply with every centre stone states clearly that it is lab-grown.

What clarity should I choose for a cushion?

VS2 is a comfortable target, and SI1 often looks clean to the naked eye because cushion faceting hides small inclusions. This is a shape where paying for VVS grades rarely shows on the finger.

Can you make a 2 carat cushion ring for me?

Yes. We source the stone to your specification and hand-make the ring in solid gold or platinum at our North Harrow workshop in London. There is no extra design cost for bespoke commissions.

Before you buy

Ask for three things on any 2 carat cushion: the exact carat weight, the measurements in millimetres, and a video of the actual stone. Any seller who cannot give you all three is not the right seller.

Everything we make comes with free insured UK delivery and 30-day returns, so you can see a stone this size in your own light and on your own hand before you commit.

More guides on this topic

• What Are the Types of Diamond Cuts? A Plain-English Guide