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).

Tonight's Find: This 1.35 Carat H Color SI1 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond

First time diamond shoppers might chicken out by picking a VS2+ clarity diamond, by examining this SI1 clarity H color stone you are giving yourself a chance to pick up a real bargain with no downside.

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Shape: Round

Carat weight: 1.35

Cut: Ideal

Color: H

Clarity: SI1

Price: $8170

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 62.3%

Table: 57.0%

Polish: Excellent

Symmetry: Excellent

Girdle: Slightly thick

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 7.05*7.08*4.40

Item number: 1319515

Click here to see the diamond at James Allen.

Click here to search for other diamonds at James Allen.

The SI clarity group of diamonds (which this SI1 clarity diamond is part of) is the place where bargains are found. Look for a diamond that appears "clean" to the naked eye, either by going over the diamond in person, or by looking at an online high resolution photo of the diamond. Spending $8170 towards a stone gets one a diamond well above the cut, such as this diamond. A tip: sanity check that you're happy spending this amount of money on a diamond. This diamond's Ideal cut rating indicates it has excellent proportions and very good or better polish and symmetry characteristics.

Girdle thickness (for this diamond the girdle is "Slightly thick") can play an important role in the apparent size of the diamond, which is detailed in my girdle thickness article. Most consumers won't see the color in this H color diamond, except if the stone is held up against a higher color grade diamond (something to think about if you're going for a 3 stone ring). Put this 1.35 carat size in perspective when you weigh up your purchasing choices - there are going to be other diamonds in the same size range which may provide more with regards to their cost and characteristics.

Pressure makes diamonds. George S. Patton .