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 Princess Shape Diamond Sizes on Hand of a 0.05 Carat Diamond
Size doesn't mean much until you see it in person - this article provides a hand as "context" for the apparent size of a 0.05 carat size diamond of princess shape. While this picture will give you some concept of how massive a diamond will seem when viewed on the hand, remember that the size of the ring you pick or need may be significantly larger or smaller than the size 6 in the picture.
The dimensions of a woman's hand can vary hugely - being in public is evidence enough - so this picture can only show the apparent diamond size for one particular ring size.
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Fingers can vary in terms of their apparent width and breadth, which should influence your decision regarding diamond size and shape.
There's no need to freak out if diamonds and the costs are making you worry; since a diamond will most likely appear bigger on a woman's hand, the diamond size you need may be smaller than you think.
