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).
Budget Round Shape SI 0.60 Carat Diamonds
0.6 carats is around the range I looked at for the engagement ring I purchased - it's significantly more than a half carat which is a nice point to be in my humble opinion. The first diamond on the list has a minor scratch (or maybe it's a hair) at the top middle of the diamond, and another to the right of the center. Note the diameter of the diamond is getting well over 5 mm.
Sponsored Links
The second diamond doesn't present particularly well in the photo, perhaps because of all the specks on the left hand side of the photo. However, it's unlikely that these would be visible to the naked eye. Not much price increase over the first diamond - only $30 more. Overall I'd have a slight preference for the first diamond, which is also slightly larger in diameter.
0.61 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond - $1000
 |
Shape: Round Carat weight: 0.61 Cut: Ideal Color: J Clarity: SI1 Certificate: GIA Depth: 60.2% Table: 57.0% Polish: Excellent Symmetry: Very Good Culet: None Fluorescence: None Measurements: 5.53*5.58*3.34 Item number: 1306095 |
Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.
0.61 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond - $1030
|
Shape: Round Carat weight: 0.61 Cut: Ideal Color: J Clarity: SI1 Certificate: GIA Depth: 61.9% Table: 57.0% Polish: Excellent Symmetry: Excellent Culet: None Fluorescence: Faint Measurements: 5.44*5.46*3.38 Item number: 1314048 |
Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.
Don't forget you can use Engagement Ring Guru's exclusive James Allen discount code "ringgu10" to get 10% off any engagement ring setting. Here are 3 ring setting suggestions that will help get you started in creating your own complete ring using this diamond. You can also click here to search for other ring designs.
Option number 1: 18k White Gold Common Prong Four Brilliant Diamond Engagement Ring setting.
Option number 2: 18k Yellow Gold 3-Stone Round Brilliant Emerald Engagement Ring setting.
Option number 3: 18k White Gold 2.8mm Art-Nouveau Pave Set Diamond Engagement Ring setting.
