This is evident when you look at the average retail prices of diamonds by carat weight. On average, the retail price for one carat diamonds can be anywhere between $2,000 to $16,000, and between $8,000 to $72,000 for two carat diamonds .

The industry had been one of the great winners of the global pandemic, as stuck-at-home shoppers turned to diamond jewelery and other luxury purchases. But as economies opened up, demand quickly cooled, leaving many in the trade holding too much stock that they'd bought for too much money.

Diamond Jewelry Consignment Sotheby's, your best and most reliable resource for selling your diamond rings, necklaces, bracelets and other jewelry, holds the current auction record for the highest price paid for any diamond or jewel.

Wholesale diamonds are cheaper for a few reasons. First, they are sourced directly from diamond mines or cutting factories, which cuts out the middleman and allows the buyer to save on markup. Second, because they are sold in bulk, wholesalers can offer a discount on the per-carat price.