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).

Budget Round Shape SI 0.90 Carat Diamonds

0.9 carats is getting up into that magical 1 carat territory, and the prices climb up as well. The first diamond on the list has a number of moderate inclusions, some of which are probably eye-visible.

Sponsored Links

The second diamond has some smaller scratches or inclusions, but these may not be visible to the naked eye. This diamond represents a good compromise between price and quality.

The last diamond has a moderate inclusion right in the center of the diamond, which may or may not be eye-visible. Clarity-wise it's probably slightly worse than the second diamond, it gets its $600 price increase because of its significantly larger size - 0.97 versus 0.91 carats.

0.91 Carat J Color SI2 Clarity Good Cut Round Cut Diamond - $2360

Shape: Round

Carat weight: 0.91

Cut: Good

Color: J

Clarity: SI2

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 63.8%

Table: 53.0%

Polish: Very Good

Symmetry: Very Good

Girdle:

Culet: None

Fluorescence: Medium blue

Measurements: 6.14*6.08*3.90

Item number: 1198265

Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.

0.91 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond - $2930

Shape: Round

Carat weight: 0.91

Cut: Ideal

Color: J

Clarity: SI1

Certificate: GIA

Depth: 61.2%

Table: 55.0%

Polish: Very Good

Symmetry: Excellent

Girdle:

Culet: None

Fluorescence: Faint

Measurements: 6.28*6.23*3.83

Item number: 1300519

Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.

0.97 Carat J Color SI1 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond - $3530

Shape: Round

Carat weight: 0.97

Cut: Ideal

Color: J

Clarity: SI1

Certificate: AGS

Depth: 60.4%

Table: 58.5%

Polish: Ideal

Symmetry: Ideal

Girdle:

Culet: Small

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 6.35*6.38*3.85

Item number: 1303141

Click here or on the photo to see the diamond at James Allen.

Don't forget you can use Engagement Ring Guru's exclusive James Allen discount code "ringgu10" to get 10% off any engagement ring setting. Here are 3 ring setting suggestions that will help get you started in creating your own complete ring using this diamond. You can also click here to search for other ring designs.

Option number 1: Platinum Split Shank Knife-Edge Pave Engagement Ring setting.

Option number 2: 18k White Gold 3-Stone Trillion Cut Emerald Engagement Ring setting.

Option number 3: 18k White Gold Channel Set Princess Cut Diamond Engagement Ring setting.