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 1.34 Carat Diamond
The photo displayed on this page displays the real diamond size against a hand of a 1.34 carat diamond for a typical woman's hand size. A typical round diamond with a 1.34 carat weight has a width of 7.2 mm; bear in mind that this can vary slightly depending on the cut.
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I have used the average engagement ring size, a size six, in the image, which has an internal diameter of 0.65 inches of 16.5 mm. You should be aware that illustration like this one are limited in what they can show - female hand sizes can vary hugely. Don't forget to take into account not just the overall size of your hand, but in addition whether you have long and slim digits or squatter ones.
If you are stressing about how expensive diamonds are but still really want one, here is one piece of good news - the diamonds invariably appear bigger when placed on the hand, especially if her hand is small and petite.
Go searching for diamonds this size at James Allen by clicking on the banner below and dragging the carat slider to the appropriate setting:
