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).

This Morning's Find: This 0.31 Carat G Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond

You should factor in you're going to pay more for this nearly colorless diamond than for a budget color diamond, and also to fork out for the VS1 clarity grading that is quite a bit more expensive than SI1 clarity.

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Shape: Round

Carat weight: 0.31

Cut: Ideal

Color: G

Clarity: VS1

Price: $650

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 61.1%

Table: 56.0%

Polish: Very Good

Symmetry: Excellent

Girdle: Medium, faceted

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 4.38*4.36*2.67

Item number: 1351525

Click here to see the diamond at James Allen.

Click here to search for other diamonds at James Allen.

VS stands for Very Slightly Included - this VS1 clarity diamond contains some minor inclusions that may or may not be visible at 10x magnification, but rarely visible using just the naked eye - however it can happen on the odd occasion. Girdle thickness (for this diamond the girdle is "Medium, faceted") can have an important role in the size presented by the diamond, which is detailed in my girdle thickness article. This diamond's Ideal cut rating indicates it has excellent proportions and very good or better polish and symmetry ratings.

A G color diamond such as this one is a great compromise between white pureness and budgetary considerations. If you have got some dollars to spend but don't want to waste it, this is a great color range to look in.

This diamond's ticket price of $650 means it is firmly in the least expensive group of stones that are considered for an engagement ring setting.

The size of this diamond is 0.31 carats - be sure to check out the other diamonds for sale with a similar 0.31 weight that may have a more desirable combination of properties and price.

A diamond is a chunk of coal that is made good under pressure. Henry Kissinger .