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).

0.31 Carat Diamond Size on Hand

A typical round diamond with a 0.31 carat size has a width of 4.4 mm; bear in mind that this can change if the cut is shallow or deep. I've used the most common engagement ring size, a size six, in the image; this ring size has an internal diameter of 0.65 inches of 16.5 mm.

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Don't make the mistake I made of looking at a potential diamond engagement ring placed on my own, male finger - remember that it is ending up on a usually smaller and more petite female hand, which will make the diamond appear significantly larger.

Go searching for diamonds this size at James Allen by clicking on the banner below and dragging the carat slider to the appropriate setting:

Actual Diamond Photos from JamesAllen