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 Sizes of a 1.12 Carat Diamond
This 1.12 diamond will appear about the size shown in the image, for an average-sized woman's hand. This 1.12 carat diamond (round shape) is 6.8 mm in diameter as shown in the illustration.
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The ring shown in the picture is a US size six; this is the same as an L 1/2 ring size in countries such as Australia and Britain, and is an average ring size. Your fingers may be quite a bit thicker or thinner than the fingers of the woman in the photo, which are on the slim side - keep in mind yours probably look quite different.
You also have to take into account the length and breadth of your fingers.