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).

0.51 Carat Size on Hand

This page provides an illustrated example presenting the actual size of a 0.51 carat diamond when set in a ring and put on a typical woman's hand. I've used the most common engagement ring size, which is size six, for the illustration; this ring size has an internal diameter of 16.5 mm or 0.65 inches. The woman's hand pictured has long and thin fingers - your fingers may or may not be similar - if your fingers are differently shaped, bear in mind that the ring you buy may look quite different when worn. If you are stressed about how expensive diamonds are but still really want one, here's something to cheer you up - the diamonds often look bigger when put on the woman's hand, especially in cases where her hand is small and petite.

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Go searching for diamonds this size at James Allen by clicking on the banner below and dragging the carat slider to the appropriate setting:

Actual Diamond Photos from JamesAllen