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 Size of a 0.98 Carat Princess Shape Diamond
This page gives you an idea of how large a 0.98 carat weight princess shape diamond will look when viewed on a typical female hand. A princess shape stone with a carat size of 0.98 is usually about 5.5 mm long on the side; this can of course vary depending on cut. A good tip to follow is to use pictures like this one to initially narrow down your size range; then you can go into stores and try diamonds out in person, armed with this prior knowledge.
Think about the ratio between the width and length of your finger - this ratio can play an important role in how large and suitable a diamond appears when it's finally placed on the finger.
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Don't stress if diamonds and the dollars involved are making you worry - because the diamond will appear larger on her hand, you may not need to spend as much to get your desired effect.
