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).
Princess Shape, 0.57 Carat Diamond Size on Hand
Carat weight doesn't always mean a lot until you witness it in context - this page uses a hand as "context" to simulate the apparent size of a 0.57 carat weight diamond of princess shape. If you've got a ring around the house and you know what it's size is, you can compare it to the US size six ring shown in the image on this page - this will assist you in getting a better idea of the diamond size shown in the photo.
A good tip to follow is to use pictures like this one to initially narrow down your size range, and then to go into stores and actually try a few different sized princess shape diamond rings on, armed with this prior knowledge. Digits can vary in terms of their apparent width and breadth, which should influence your decision regarding diamond size and shape.
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Diamonds are often magically "bigger" when you move them onto a woman's hand - so try to ask a female shop assistant to try the diamond on rather than putting it on your own male hand.
