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).

1.00 Carat F Color SI1 Clarity Good Cut Round Cut Diamond -

To make sure you don't waste the expensive F color rating of this diamond, look to get the best cut of diamond possible; this will complement the F color nicely.

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Shape: Round

Carat weight: 1.0

Cut: Good

Color: F

Clarity: SI1

Price: $4690

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 58.8%

Table: 63.0%

Polish: Very Good

Symmetry: Good

Girdle: Thin to thick

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 6.48*6.45*3.80

Item number: 1290226

Click here to see the diamond at James Allen.

Click here to search for other diamonds at James Allen.

Next to sound judgment, diamonds and pearls are the rarest things in the world. Jean de la Bruyere .

This diamond's $4690 cost is a major investment for many people, but the tradeoff is a nicer and bigger stone compared to if you were to only spend a few hundred dollars. This diamond has a girdle described as "Thin to thick", which plays a role in the size and sparkle of the diamond, as explained in my diamond girdle page. The Good cut of this diamond means it is the lowest cut grading sold by James Allen. However, if your diamond searching goals emphasize other qualities, for example diamond color and carat size, then this is probably a sacrifice you're going to have to make.

Place this 1.00 carat weight in perspective as you weigh up your diamond options - there are going to be other stones of about the same size that may offer more with regards to their cost and characteristics. To the unassisted human eye, this F color diamond standing alone appears completely white and pure - there is no method to detect any color in it using only the human eye and no other nearby diamonds, or to identify the differences between it and others within the colorless range. If you can see the diamond in the flesh or examine high quality photos of the diamond (like the one for this SI1 clarity diamond), this is where the most valuable deals are to be found - finding an SI1 or SI2 stone that is "eye clean" is a rewarding experience that pays off in terms of money saved.