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).
0.78 Carat Actual Size (Princess Shape)
Carat weight doesn't tell the whole story - the depth of the diamond's cut will also influence the apparent size of the rock; a diamond like this 0.78 carat one will usually be around 5.2 mm typically. If you have got a ring around the house and you know the size, use it to compare with the US size 6 ring shown in the image on this page - this will help you get a better idea of the diamond size shown in the photo.
Pictures can sometimes be a little dependent on the viewer - this one is pretty clear cut, but remember viewing the stone in the flesh may give you a totally different judgement of size to examining it on the internet.
Sponsored Links
Fingers that are long and slender will affect how a diamond looks just as much as the carat size of the diamond - so look beyond just considering the 0.78 carat weight of this princess stone.
