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 on Hand of a 1.00 Carat Diamond
Try to use the 6.5 mm mean diameter for a 1.00 carat stone by measuring the size of your own finger to get an appreciation of what a diamond of this size will look like on your finger. The ring shown in the picture is a US size 6; this is the same as an L 1/2 size in countries like Australia and Britain, and is an average ring size. The ratio of your ring finger's length and its width can play an important role in the final appearance of a diamond on your hand.
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The apparent size of the diamond depends heavily on what it is shown against - her hand - a small hand will make the diamond appear proportionately larger, with the reverse applying as well.
Go searching for diamonds this size at James Allen by clicking on the banner below and dragging the carat slider to the appropriate setting:
