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).
2.00 Carat Size on Hand
This page gives a photo example presenting the real size of a 2.00 carat diamond on an average woman's hand. I've used the most common engagement ring size, which is size six, in the image; this ring size has an internal diameter of 0.65 inches of 16.5 mm. Be careful of reading too much into just a picture - it can't be completely representative of all finger and hand types - you're best off getting an idea in store by trying on actual rings with your partner. The ratio between your ring finger's length and the width of your finger will play an important role in how the diamond looks, which you should take into consideration. Try and avoid making the mistake I made of looking at a potential diamond engagement ring placed on my own, large male finger - remember it's ending up on a usually smaller and more delicate female hand, which will make the diamond appear significantly larger.
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Go searching for diamonds this size at James Allen by clicking on the banner below and dragging the carat slider to the appropriate setting:
