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 on Hand of a 2.34 Carat Diamond

This page provides an illustrated example presenting the real size of a 2.34 carat diamond when set in a ring and put on a typical woman's hand. You can use the 8.7 mm average diameter of this 2.34 carat stone through measuring the size of your own finger to get an idea at home of how big the diamond would appear. The picture shows a ring which is US size six; this is the same as an L 1/2 ring size in places such as Australia and Britain, and is an average ring size. Be aware that illustration such as this one are limited in what they can show - female hand sizes can vary hugely. You also have to take into account the length and breadth of your fingers.

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If you have been stressed about the cost of diamonds but still really want one, here's something to cheer you up - the diamonds often look bigger once placed on the woman's hand, especially in cases where her hand is small and petite.

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