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).
2.62 Carat Diamond Size on Hand
This article provides a photo example presenting the actual size of a 2.62 carat diamond on an average woman's hand. This photo displays a size L 1/2 ring (British and Australia), which is equivalent to a US size 6 . The woman's hand shown in the picture has quite long and slender fingers - your fingers may or may not be similar - if your fingers are differently shaped, be aware that a diamond engagement ring may present quite differently on your finger. Look at the difference between the size of the woman's hand and the man's hand in the illustration - you can see that the woman's hand is significantly smaller and more petite (which is typical), so the diamond appears larger on her hand than it would obviously on his hand.