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).
1.01 Carat H Color SI1 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond
The differentiating factor between this diamond being a relatively worthless diamond and it being a cheap awesome bargain is whether you judge it to be eye-clean from the photo.
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Shape: Round Carat weight: 1.01 Cut: Ideal Color: H Clarity: SI1 Price: $5930 Certificate: GIA Depth: 62.2% Table: 56.0% Polish: Excellent Symmetry: Excellent Girdle: Thin to slightly thick Culet: None Fluorescence: None Measurements: 6.47*6.41*4.01 Item number: 1351549 |
Click here to search for other diamonds at James Allen.
Don't ignore diamond characteristics beside the four Cs, such as girdle thickness - which can be important due to reasons outlined in my girdle thickness article. Weighing up the $5930 price for this diamond, put in some thought into whether you need all the properties to be as good as they are. Many different companies will offer an Ideal cut diamond cut grading, and these diamonds are usually (as is the case here) perfect with respect to proportions and the general shape.
If you can view the diamond in person or see high quality photos of the diamond (like the one for this SI1 clarity diamond), this is where the most valuable deals are to be found - identifying an SI1 or SI2 stone which is "eye clean" is a rewarding experience that translates to less dollars spent. Place this 1.01 carat weight in the right reference frame as you consider your diamond choices - there are going to be other stones in the same size range which may provide more in terms of their cost and characteristics. Most consumers won't see the color in this H color diamond, except if the stone is compared side by side with a diamond with say a D color rating (something to think about if you're going for a 3 stone ring).