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).
1.81 Carat Diamond Size on Hand
This 1.81 diamond will appear about the size shown in the photo, for a typical woman's fingers. This 1.81 carat round diamond has a diameter of about 8.0 mm which you can see in the photo. This illustration is scaled to show a size L 1/2 ring (British and Australia), which is equivalent to a US size 6 ring. Do not forget to take into account not just the overall size of your hand, but in addition if you possess long and slim fingers or squatter ones. Don't make the mistake I made of examing a potential diamond engagement ring placed on my own, large male finger - remember that it is going to go on a generally smaller and more delicate female hand, where it will likely not shrink quite as much as when placed on a male hand.
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Go searching for diamonds this size at James Allen by clicking on the banner below and dragging the carat slider to the appropriate setting:
