The 4 C’s of diamond is one of those factors, but even high demand for a trending ring design could influence the price. If you shop for an IF clarity grade diamond of D color, the engagement ring will command a premium price due to the rarity of the gemstone. Unless your budget is to the top range of tens of thousands of dollars and you are looking for an expensive cut, it is best to choose a diamond with lesser color and clarity grades to make the most of the ring purchase. If you are on a tight budget, the good thing is that you can still purchase a 1.5-carat diamond engagement ring provided that you balance out the 4 C’s. As a budget alternative to D color IF diamond, look for a ring featuring the gem with G color and VS-2 clarity grade. The difference in color hues between the two will be tough to pick out for a layman, but the price will be.