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).

Diamond Size on Hand of a 0.36 Carat Diamond

This 0.36 carat round diamond is 4.6 mm in diameter which you can see in the illustration. The ring shown in the image is an average-sized size six ring, but bear in mind the ring you get could be significantly larger or smaller. It is good to be cautious when looking at a picture - a picture alone won't be completely representative of every finger and hand type - you are best off getting an idea in store by trying on actual rings with your partner. The visual size of the diamond and ring will vary depending on whether you have thin or thick fingers, and also depends on their length.

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Look at the difference between the size of the woman's hand and the man's hand in the photo - it's obvious that the woman's hand is much smaller and more petite (which is usually the case), so the diamond looks to be larger on her hand than it would appear to be on his.

Go searching for diamonds this size at James Allen by clicking on the banner below and dragging the carat slider to the appropriate setting:

Actual Diamond Photos from JamesAllen