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).
Actual Diamond Size of a 0.98 Carat Diamond
You can use the 6.5 mm average width of this 0.98 carat stone through measuring the size of your finger to get an idea at home of how big the diamond would appear. I've used the average engagement ring size, a size six, in the image, which has an internal diameter of 16.5 mm or 0.65 inches.
Sponsored Links
The woman's hand pictured has long and thin fingers - which may not be what yours look like - if they're not, be aware that a diamond engagement ring may look quite different when worn. The ratio between the length of your ring finger and the width of your finger will play a pivotal role in the final appearance of a diamond on your hand. 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 generally smaller and more delicate 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:
