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).
What Does a 2.90 Carat, Princess Shape Diamond Look Like on a Hand?
This page provides you with some concept of how big a 2.90 carat weight princess shape diamond will appear when viewed on the female hand. Carat weight doesn't tell the whole story - the depth of the diamond's cut will also influence the apparent size of the diamond; a diamond like this 2.90 carat one will usually be around 21.0 mm typically.
The photo in this page shows an L 1/2 ring size; this is around the average size for a female. A good tip to follow is to use pictures like this one to initially narrow down your size range, and then to go into stores and try diamonds out in person, armed with this prior knowledge.
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There's no need to freak out if diamonds and the costs are getting you down; 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.
