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).
0.15 Carat Actual Size (Princess Shape)
Carat weight isn't the be all and end all - the depth of the diamond's cut will also play a role in the apparent size of the rock - for a 0.15 carat princess like this one, the size would be around 2.9 mm typically. To give you more of an idea of what's in this image, the ring shown is a size six in the US sizing system, which is the same as an L 1/2 ring size in Britain or Australia. Fingers can vary in terms of their apparent width and breadth, which should influence your decision regarding diamond size and shape.
Sponsored Links
There's no need to freak out if diamonds and the dollars involved are making you worry; since a diamond will most likely appear bigger on a woman's hand, the diamond size you need may be smaller than you think.
