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).
Actual 1.01 Carat Diamond Size on Hand
The picture displayed here presents the actual diamond size on a hand of a 1.01 carat diamond for a typical woman's hand size. You can use the 6.5 mm mean width for a 1.01 carat diamond by measuring the length and width of your finger to get an appreciation of what a diamond of this size will look like on your finger. The ring shown in the image is an average-sized size 6 ring; of course, the ring you get could be much larger or smaller than this one. The hand of the woman shown in the picture has quite long and slender fingers - your fingers may or may not be similar - if they're not, bear in mind that a diamond engagement ring may present quite differently on your finger. Don't forget to consider not just the size of your hand as a whole, but also if you have long and slim fingers or squatter ones.