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).

$520 Gets One A 0.35 Carat F Color SI1 Clarity Premium Cut Round Cut Diamond

No need to go up to an IF clarity rating - the SI1 clarity for this diamond is plenty sufficient, ASSUMING that the diamond presents as eye-clean; this can be determined from the photo.

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Shape: Round

Carat weight: 0.35

Cut: Premium

Color: F

Clarity: SI1

Price: $520

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 60.2%

Table: 58.0%

Polish: Very Good

Symmetry: Good

Girdle: Thin to medium

Culet: None

Fluorescence: Medium blue

Measurements: 4.61*4.57*2.76

Item number: 1332036

Click here to search for other diamonds at James Allen.

Spending only $520 on the diamond, one will be able to save more money to use for other costs such as the wedding. If you are unsure from the photo of the SI1 clarity diamond on this page whether the diamond is eye-clean, try contacting a James Allen representative and asking them to specially assess the diamond for you - they will give you an honest response. The visual attractiveness of this diamond will be quite good because of its Premium cut, although inferior to the more costly higher cut grades. F color diamonds are virtually colorless - they are part of the pure white group of diamonds.

Do not neglect diamond characteristics outside the four Cs, for example girdle thickness - which can be important due to reasons discussed in my girdle thickness article. If you are checking out this diamond and thinking to yourself that you want to improve another property of the diamond which don't affect size, you may wish to reduce the 0.35 carat weight of this diamond.