Quick and Easy Buying Guide

Carat weight: 1 carat = 200 milligrams = 6.5 mm diameter. Doubling weight doesn't double diameter.

Diamond clarity: FL/IF/VVS/VS = super expensive, near perfect. SI = best value if you can check a photo for obvious inclusions (defects).

 

Color: D-G = colorless, expensive, only if you have money to burn. H-J = best value. Can go lower in gold metal settings than white metal.

Cut: Better cut ratings let more light into a diamond, making it sparkle more. Very important property, don't skimp here.

Set a budget and minimum cut (Premium). Go J color for gold and I/H for white metals. Go searching for SI1/SI2 clarity diamonds at James Allen. Pick a diamond with small/no inclusions. Choose a ring setting and buy it risk-free (60-day returns).

0.43 Carats on the Menu Tonight - 0.43 Carat H Color VS2 Clarity Hearts & Arrows Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond

This 0.43 carat, VS2 clarity diamond like this one is often presented as a white diamond in some cases, or in other cases as a "near colorless" diamond depending on store.

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Shape: Round

Carat weight: 0.43

Cut: Hearts & Arrows Ideal

Color: H

Clarity: VS2

Price: $840

Certificate: AGS

Depth: 61.0%

Table: 55.2%

Polish: Ideal

Symmetry: Ideal

Girdle: Thin to medium

Culet: None

Fluorescence: Negligible

Measurements: 4.89*4.94*2.99

Item number: 1315094

Click here to see the diamond at James Allen.

Click here to search for other diamonds at James Allen.

In terms of diamond cut alone, a Hearts and Arrows cut diamond gets you as close to perfection as you can get. This rarest of diamond cuts is shown to a buyer who has a special interest in getting the best cut diamond, and consequently the visual appearance of the diamond due to its superior light retention qualities. Girdle thickness (for this diamond the girdle is "Thin to medium") can play an significant role in the size presented by the diamond, which is detailed in my article about girdle thickness. If you eyeball this 0.43 carat stone and think to yourself, "that diamond is too small", consider whether you can compromise by reducing other properties, for example color or cut in order to get for a larger diamond.

If you are a cautious online purchaser, then this VS2 clarity diamond is relatively safe bet, because the chances are low of it having any inclusions that are visible to the naked eye. The H color of this diamond offers value for your dollar, as it isn't a member of the expensive premium color grades D-F. This diamond's ticket price of $840 puts it firmly a member of the cheapest group of diamonds that are considered for an engagement ring setting.

Love isn’t perfect. Even diamonds start as coal. Brandon Boyd .