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).

For Your Viewing Pleasure: 0.42 Carat H Color SI1 Clarity Good Cut Round Cut Diamond

The doubling up of a low-medium priced H color diamond with a definitely low cost clarity rating of SI1 allows you to use the extra money on things like the wedding or honeymoon, and that's always good news.

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Shape: Round

Carat weight: 0.42

Cut: Good

Color: H

Clarity: SI1

Price: $560

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 64.3%

Table: 53.0%

Polish: Excellent

Symmetry: Very Good

Girdle:

Culet:

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 4.69*4.74*3.03

Item number: 1344402

Click here to see the diamond at James Allen.

Click here to search for other diamonds at James Allen.

The Good cut of this stone is the bottom cut grading sold by James Allen. If your focus is on other qualities such as diamond color and carat size, then this is probably a compromise you're going to have to make. Make sure to cast a glance over neighbouring carat sizes around the 0.42 carat weight this diamond has, to see if any options regarding other diamond properties might open up. A stone with no girdle is often referred to as a "knife-edge" girdle diamond, which has an effect on the diamond's overall 3D shape. By using only $560 on the diamond, one will be able to save more money to put towards other expenses such as the wedding.

If you can view the diamond in the flesh or examine high quality photos of the diamond (like the photo for this SI1 clarity diamond), this is where the most valuable deals are to be found - identifying an SI1 or SI2 stone which is "eye clean" is a rewarding experience that translates to less dollars spent. A H color diamond such as this one is a great compromise between white pureness and money considerations. If you have got some money but don't want to waste it, this is a great color range to look in.