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).

Found today: a 1.07 Carat G Color VS1 Clarity Ideal Cut Round Cut Diamond

You should factor in you're going to pay more for this nearly colorless diamond than for a budget color diamond, and also to fork out for the VS1 clarity grading which is significantly dearer than an SI1 clarity stone.

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Shape: Round

Carat weight: 1.07

Cut: Ideal

Color: G

Clarity: VS1

Price: $8320

Certificate: AGS

Depth: 62.5%

Table: 56.0%

Polish: Ideal

Symmetry: Ideal

Girdle: Thin to medium

Culet: None

Fluorescence: None

Measurements: 6.50*6.55*4.07

Item number: 1326328

Click here to see the diamond at James Allen.

Click here to search for other diamonds at James Allen.

To get some additional pointers on the "Thin to medium" girdle for this diamond, have a read of the article I wrote on girdle thickness. Most consumers won't see the color in this G color diamond, except if the stone is compared side by side with a diamond with say a D color rating (something to think about if you're going for a 3 stone ring).

Think about if you are entirely set on the 1.07 carat weight of this diamond - or whether you are able to extend a bit more for a bigger diamond. This diamond's Ideal cut rating means it has very good proportions and very good or better polish and symmetry characteristics.

For $8320, you should be getting a nice stone; ensure that you are plenty critical when you're looking at this stone. If you're buying blind on the Internet, then VS1 clarity is really the lowestclarity rating you can go for without carrying a significant risk of picking up a diamond with visible inclusions.