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).
0.43 Carat Princess Shape Size on Hand
This page includes a handy illustration showing you the apparent size of a 0.43 carat weight princess shape stone, when it's actually on a typical woman's hand. Carat weight isn't the be all and end all - the type of cut will also affect the apparent size of the diamond; a diamond like this 0.43 carat one will usually be around 4.6 mm .
If you've got a ring in your possession and you know what it's size is, use it to compare with the US size six ring pictured - this will assist you in getting a concrete idea of the diamond size in the picture.
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You'll become more knowledgeable looking at diamond sizes online such as this 0.43 carat weight princess shape diamond, but nothing beats seeing it in person. The apparent size for this 0.43 carat weight princess diamond will be affected not only by the carat weight but as well on the width to length ratio of the ring finger the diamond ends up on.
Diamonds are often magically "bigger" when you move them onto a woman's hand - so try to get a woman in the shop to put one on instead of putting it on your own male hand.
