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, 1.73 Carat Diamond Size on Hand

Carat weight doesn't tell the whole story - the depth of the diamond's cut will also influence the apparent size of the diamond; a diamond like this 1.73 carat one will usually be around 7.3 mm typically. In order to provide you more of an idea of what's in this image, the ring pictured is a size six in the US sizing system, which is equivalent to an L 1/2 ring size in places like Australia or Britain. Some advice for how to use the information on this page is 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.

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Consider the ratio between the length and width of your finger - this ratio can play an important role in how massive and appropriate a diamond appears when it's finally placed on the finger. Don't stress if diamonds and the dollars involved are getting you down - because the diamond will appear larger on her hand, the diamond size you need may be smaller than you think.