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 1.50 Carat Diamonds
The first 1.5 carat diamond has quite a few moderate inclusions and is rated an SI2 clarity-wise. Not bad for a budget option.
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Moving right along, the second diamond has no major visible inclusions so it's probably eye-clean, but the cut is pretty horrible as evidenced by both the photo and the "Good" cut rating. It's probably not going to sparkle that well.
At a whopping 1.71 carats, the last diamond has no visible inclusions at all (surprised it's rated an SI1) and has a better cut than the second diamond. I'd be choosing between the first, ultra budget option and the last diamond, the cut on the middle diamond is just too bad.
1.50 Carat J Color SI2 Clarity Premium Cut Round Cut Diamond - $6100
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Shape: Round Carat weight: 1.5 Cut: Premium Color: J Clarity: SI2 Certificate: GIA Depth: 60.2% Table: 59.0% Polish: Very Good Symmetry: Very Good Culet: Small Fluorescence: None Measurements: 7.34*7.30*4.41 Item number: 1300699 |
Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.
1.60 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Good Cut Round Cut Diamond - $7420
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Shape: Round Carat weight: 1.6 Cut: Good Color: J Clarity: SI1 Certificate: GIA Depth: 63.5% Table: 57.0% Polish: Excellent Symmetry: Very Good Culet: None Fluorescence: None Measurements: 7.44*7.31*4.68 Item number: 1300851 |
Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.
1.71 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Premium Cut Round Cut Diamond - $8800
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Shape: Round Carat weight: 1.71 Cut: Premium Color: J Clarity: SI1 Certificate: GIA Depth: 61.8% Table: 59.0% Polish: Excellent Symmetry: Excellent Culet: None Fluorescence: None Measurements: 7.62*7.65*4.72 Item number: 1294775 |
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: Platinum Flat Tab Diamond Engagement Solitaire Ring setting.
Option number 2: Platinum Engraved Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring setting.
Option number 3: 18k Yellow Gold Flat Edged Diamond Solitaire Engagement Ring setting.
