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).
Actual Diamond Sizes of a 2.28 Carat Diamond
This 2.28 carat diamond (round shape) is 8.6 mm in diameter which you can see in the picture. I've used the average engagement ring size, which is size 6, in the image, which has an internal diameter of 16.5 mm or 0.65 inches. The apparent size of the diamond and ring can be affected by whether you have thin or thick fingers, as well as by the length of your fingers. Compare the size of the woman's hand and the man's hand in the image - you can see that the woman's hand is significantly smaller and more delicate (which is usually the case), so the diamond appears larger on her hand than it would appear to be on his.