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).
2.38 Carat Actual Size (Princess Shape)
Carat weight doesn't tell the whole story - the type of cut will also affect the apparent size of the diamond - for a 2.38 carat princess like this one, the size would be around 8.4 mm . To give you more of an idea of what the picture is showing, the ring shown is a size six in the US sizing system, which is the same as an L 1/2 ring size in places like Australia or Britain.
The apparent size for this 2.38 carat princess diamond will be affected not only by the carat weight but also on the length to width ratio of the ring finger it is placed on.
Sponsored Links
Don't stress if diamonds and the dollars involved are making you worry - because the diamond will appear larger on her hand, the diamond size you need may be smaller than you think.
