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).
1.72 Carat Diamond Sizes on Hand
This 1.72 diamond will appear about the size shown in the image, for a typical woman's hand. An average round stone with a 1.72 carat weight has a diameter of 7.8 mm, although this can vary slightly depending on the cut.
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It is good to be cautious when looking at a picture - it can't be completely representative of every finger and hand type - you're best off getting an idea in store with an actual ring. Look at the difference between the size of the woman's hand and the man's hand in the image - it's obvious that the woman's hand is much smaller and more petite (which is typical), so the diamond looks to be larger on her hand than it would obviously on his hand.
Go searching for diamonds this size at James Allen by clicking on the banner below and dragging the carat slider to the appropriate setting:
