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 0.78 Carat Diamond

If you are thinking about how big a 0.78 carat diamond appears on a hand, take a look at this picture to give you an approximate idea. A typical round diamond with a 0.78 carat size has a width of 6.0 mm, although this can change depending on the cut. The ring shown in the picture is a US size 6; this is equivalent to an L 1/2 ring size in countries such as Australia and Britain, and is an average ring size. Be aware that image like this one are just that - only illustrative - women's hand sizes will vary quite a bit.

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Don't forget to take into account not just the overall size of your hand, but also whether you have long and slim fingers or short and pudgy ones. Don't make the mistake I made of examing a potential diamond engagement ring placed on my own, large male finger - remember that it is going to go on a generally smaller and more delicate female hand, where it will likely not shrink quite as much as when placed on a male hand.

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