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 1.61 Carat Diamond

This page gives a photo example of the real size of a 1.61 carat diamond when set in a ring and put on a typical woman's hand. This 1.61 carat round diamond is 7.7 mm in diameter as shown in the illustration. The ring pictured is a typical size 6 ring; of course, the ring you get could be much larger or smaller than this one. You should be aware that illustration such as this one are limited in what they can show - female hand sizes can vary hugely. The apparent size of the diamond and ring can be affected by whether you have thin or thick fingers, as well as by the length of your fingers.

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Don't make the mistake I made of examing a potential diamond engagement ring placed on my own, large male finger - remember it's ending up on a usually smaller and more petite female hand, which will make the diamond appear significantly larger.

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