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).
Princess Shape, 1.39 Carat Diamond Size on Hand
This page has a useful illustration showing you the apparent size of a 1.39 carat size princess shape diamond, when it's actually on a typical woman's hand. The precise size of a 1.39 carat weight princess shape diamond will vary depending on the depth of cut, but is usually in the ballpark of around 6.4 mm along one of the straight edges of the diamond.
The picture in this page has a ring of L 1/2 ring size; this is around the average size for a female. Photos can sometimes be notoriously deceptive - this one is pretty clear cut, but remember seeing the diamond in person will give you a very different judgement of size to viewing it on the web.
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There's no need to freak out if diamonds and the dollars involved are making you worry; since a diamond will most likely appear bigger on a woman's hand, you may not need to spend as much to get your desired effect.
