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 1.00 Carat Diamonds

There are a lot of diamonds to choose from at the magical 1 carat mark. The first is cheap but has a significant defect at the center of the diamond, and is a lower SI2 clarity rating.

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The second diamond has a small defect at the center of the diamond which might not be visible to the naked eye. A good mid-range option with the Ideal cut.

If you don't want to have any inclusions or defects, then the third diamond, at over $5000, is what you'd go for. Some of that extra price tag is because it's also the largest of the three diamonds, at just under one and a quarter carats.

1.04 Carat J Color SI2 Clarity Good Cut Round Cut Diamond - $3110

Shape: Round

Carat weight: 1.04

Cut: Good

Color: J

Clarity: SI2

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 59.7%

Table: 63.0%

Polish: Very Good

Symmetry: Good

Girdle:

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 6.54*6.50*3.89

Item number: 1281982

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

1.15 Carat J Color SI2 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond - $4190

Shape: Round

Carat weight: 1.14

Cut: Ideal

Color: J

Clarity: SI2

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 62.4%

Table: 55.0%

Polish: Very Good

Symmetry: Very Good

Girdle:

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 6.63*6.76*4.18

Item number: 1189642

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

1.24 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond - $5280

Shape: Round

Carat weight: 1.24

Cut: Ideal

Color: J

Clarity: SI1

Certificate: AGS

Depth: 61.0%

Table: 56.0%

Polish: Ideal

Symmetry: Ideal

Girdle:

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 6.92*6.94*4.23

Item number: 1298785

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 2.2mm Wire Basket Solitaire Ring setting.

Option number 2: Bezel Set 18k Yellow Gold Solitaire Ring setting.

Option number 3: Platinum 4mm Rounded Cathedral Solitaire Ring setting.