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).

Budget Round Shape SI 0.40 Carat Diamonds

Here's a selection of 3 diamonds with photos for comparison. The first diamond is the cheapest of the three, despite not being the smallest. There is a moderate sized inclusion just to the right of the center of the diamond, which isn't too easy to see in the photo.

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The second diamond has an even more obvious inclusion just below the center of the diamond. It doesn't have any fluorescence, unlike the first diamond. It's $70 more.

The third and last diamond is the nicest of the three, and consequently the most expensive, another $90 more. It doesn't have any significant visible inclusions, despite being graded an SI1 in clarity.

0.42 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Good Cut Round Cut Diamond - $420

Shape: Round

Carat weight: 0.42

Cut: Good

Color: J

Clarity: SI1

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 64.6%

Table: 56.0%

Polish: Very Good

Symmetry: Excellent

Girdle:

Culet:

Fluorescence: Faint

Measurements: 4.71*4.73*3.05

Item number: 1292845

Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.

0.43 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond - $490

Shape: Round

Carat weight: 0.43

Cut: Ideal

Color: J

Clarity: SI1

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 62.1%

Table: 58.0%

Polish: Very Good

Symmetry: Very Good

Girdle:

Culet:

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 4.82*4.84*3.00

Item number: 1287168

Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.

0.40 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond - $580

Shape: Round

Carat weight: 0.4

Cut: Ideal

Color: J

Clarity: SI1

Certificate: AGS

Depth: 61.4%

Table: 55.2%

Polish: Ideal

Symmetry: Ideal

Girdle:

Culet: None

Fluorescence: Negligible

Measurements: 4.76*4.78*2.93

Item number: 1317106

Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.

Don't forget you can use Engagement Ring Guru's exclusive James Allen discount code "ringgu10" to get 10% off any engagement ring setting. Here are 3 ring setting suggestions that will help get you started in creating your own complete ring using this diamond. You can also click here to search for other ring designs.

Option number 1: 18k White Gold .60ct Diamond Halo Pave Bridal Set setting.

Option number 2: 18k Yellow Gold 3-Stone Pear Shape Blue Sapphire Engagement Ring setting.

Option number 3: 18k White Gold Common Prong Six Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring setting.