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 Diamond Sizes of a 1.03 Carat Diamond
This 1.03 diamond will appear about the size indicated in the picture, on an average-sized woman's finger. A typical round stone with a 1.03 carat weight has a diameter of 6.6 mm, although this can change if the cut is shallow or deep. The woman's hand pictured has long and thin fingers - your fingers may or may not be similar - if they're not, be aware that the ring you buy may present quite differently on your finger. Do not forget to take into account not just the overall size of your hand, but in addition whether you have long and thin digits or short and pudgy ones. The apparent size of the diamond depends heavily on what it is shown against - her hand - a petite hand will cause the diamond to appear significantly larger, with the reverse applying as well.
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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:
