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).
2.61 Carat Diamond Size on Hand
If you don't want to rely entirely on pictures like this, you can measure the size of your finger and compare it with the 9.0 mm mean diameter for a diamond of size 2.61 carats. I've used the average engagement ring size, which is size 6, for the illustration, which has an internal diameter of 16.5 mm or 0.65 inches.
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The woman's hand pictured has long and thin fingers - your fingers may or may not be similar - if your fingers are differently shaped, bear in mind that the ring you buy may present quite differently on your finger. The apparent size of the diamond and ring will vary depending on whether you have thin or thick digits, and also depends on the length of your fingers. If you've been stressed about how expensive diamonds are but are still really set on getting one, here's one piece of good news - the diamonds often appear bigger when put on the woman's hand, especially in cases where her hand is on the smaller side.
Go searching for diamonds this size at James Allen by clicking on the banner below and dragging the carat slider to the appropriate setting:
