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).

1 Carat And Above Princess Shape Diamond Sizes On The Hand

Anything 1 carat or above is a serious diamond, with a fairly serious pricetag as well. That's why it's especially important to make sure the size of the diamond is what you really want - if it's going to be too big for someone with an active lifestyle, you may want to switch down a few points to something a little more manageable.

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With that in mind, start looking through the pages in the list below - each one shows how big a princess shaped diamond of a certain carat weight will appear when viewed on a typical female hand. Bear in mind the sizing can vary slightly because of variations in the cut of the diamond, but these pages should get you started.

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