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).
2.36 Carat Princess Shape Size on Hand
Carat weight isn't the be all and end all - the depth of the diamond's cut will also influence the apparent size of the rock; a diamond like this 2.36 carat one will usually be around 8.3 mm typically. If you have got a ring around the house and you know the size, you can compare it to the US size six ring shown in the image on this page - this will assist you in getting a concrete idea of the diamond size shown in the photo.
Photos can sometimes be notoriously deceptive - this one is pretty clear cut, but remember viewing the diamond in person may give you a very different impression of size to viewing it on the web. The apparent size for this 2.36 carat princess diamond will be affected not only by the carat weight but as well on the width to length ratio of the ring finger it is placed on.
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Don't stress if diamonds and the dollars involved are making you worry; since a diamond will most likely appear bigger on a woman's hand, you may not need to spend as much to get your desired effect.
