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).
1.06 Carat Actual Size
The picture shown here displays the real diamond size against a hand of a 1.06 carat diamond for a typical woman's hand size. A person's fingers may be significantly larger or smaller than the ones of the woman in the image, which are quite thin - be sure to keep this in mind when you're looking at the picture. Try and avoid making the mistake I made of looking at a potential diamond engagement ring placed on my own, male finger - remember that it is going to go on a usually smaller and more delicate female hand, which will make the diamond appear significantly larger.