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 Size of 1.71 Carat Diamond
The illustration shown on this page presents the actual diamond size on a hand for a 1.71 carat diamond for a typical woman's hand size. This 1.71 carat diamond (round shape) is 7.8 mm in diameter as shown in the photo. This illustration shows a size L 1/2 ring (British and Australia), which is equivalent to a US size 6 ring.