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).
Actual Diamond Size of a 0.55 Carat Princess Shape Diamond
This article has a handy illustration showing you the apparent size of a 0.55 carat weight princess shape diamond, when viewed in place on the hand of a woman. The picture on this page shows an L 1/2 ring size; this is around the average size for a female.
Photos can sometimes be a little dependent on the viewer - I've tried to make this one as clear as possible, but don't forget viewing the stone in the flesh may give you a very different impression of size to examining it on the internet.
Sponsored Links
Months after you've purchased the diamond, you might be pleasantly surprised by how much larger the diamond appears on the female hand, than when seen in isolation.
