Visual Size Reference (Round Diamond)

Approximate visual diameter for round brilliant diamonds on an average finger

0.5 CT

~5.1mm

1.0 CT

~6.4mm

1.5 CT

~7.4mm

2.0 CT

~8.1mm

3.0 CT

~9.3mm

How to Choose Your Carat Weight

• Consider Finger Size: Smaller hands (size 4-5) look best with 0.5-1.5ct; average hands (size 6-7) with 1.0-2.0ct; larger hands (size 8+) with 1.5-3.0ct+
• Budget First: Set your budget, then optimize the 4Cs. It's better to have a smaller, higher-quality diamond than a larger one with poor cut or clarity.
• Lifestyle Matters: Active lifestyles or professions using hands frequently (healthcare, fitness, etc.) often prefer 0.5-1.5ct for practicality and security.
• Shape Affects Size Perception: Elongated shapes (oval, marquise, pear) appear 10-15% larger than round diamonds of the same carat weight.
• Setting Impact: Halo settings make any diamond appear 0.5ct larger. Bezel settings make diamonds appear slightly smaller.
• The "Sweet Spot" Strategy: Diamond prices increase exponentially at "magic numbers" (0.50, 1.00, 1.50, 2.00, etc.). Buying slightly under these thresholds (0.95-0.99ct instead of 1.00ct) provides significant savings with no visible size difference.

What Matters Most?

Industry experts recommend prioritizing the 4Cs in this order for maximum beauty and value:

• 1. Cut Quality: Most important for sparkle and brilliance (always choose Excellent or Very Good)
• 2. Carat Weight: Choose based on budget and personal preference
• 3. Color Grade: G-H offers best value (near-colorless, indistinguishable to most)
• 4. Clarity Grade: VS2-SI1 is "eye-clean" and offers excellent value

Understanding Color Grades

Diamond color is graded from D (completely colorless) to Z (light yellow/brown). The differences between adjacent grades are subtle and often invisible to the untrained eye.

• D-E-F (Colorless): Absolutely no color visible, even under magnification. The rarest and most expensive grades. Pure white appearance.
• G-H-I-J (Near-Colorless): Imperceptible to most consumers when set. These grades appear virtually colorless to the naked eye and offer excellent value. Ideal for yellow or rose gold settings where metal warmth masks any slight tint.
• K-M (Faint): Slight warmth detectable when compared side-by-side with higher grades. Can look beautiful in yellow/rose gold settings.
• N-Z (Very Light to Light): Noticeable yellow or brown tint. Significantly less expensive but affect overall appearance.

How Color Affects Appearance

The visibility of color depends on several factors beyond just the grade:

• Setting Metal: White metals (platinum, white gold) emphasize any warmth in the diamond, while yellow/rose gold can mask slight color.
• Diamond Size: Color is more noticeable in larger diamonds (2+ carats). Smaller diamonds can "hide" color better.
• Shape: Round brilliants hide color better than step-cuts (emerald, asscher) due to their facet structure and light return.
• Lighting: Natural daylight reveals color more than indoor lighting. Fluorescence can affect color appearance.

How to Choose Your Color Grade

• For White Gold/Platinum: G-H offers the best value. These grades appear colorless when set but cost 15-25% less than D-F.
• For Yellow/Rose Gold: I-J grades work beautifully. The warm metal complements any slight warmth in the diamond.
• For Larger Diamonds (2+ ct): Stay in the G-H range minimum. Color becomes more visible as size increases.
• For Step-Cut Shapes: Choose one grade higher than you would for brilliant cuts. Emerald and asscher cuts show color more easily.
• Budget Strategy: Dropping one color grade (D to E, or G to H) saves 10-15% with minimal visual difference.

Common Misconceptions

• Myth: "Only D-F diamonds are worth buying." Reality: G-H grades offer 95% of the visual appeal at significantly lower cost.
• Myth: "You can easily see color differences." Reality: Most people cannot distinguish between G and D when diamonds are set.
• Myth: "Lower color grades look yellow." Reality: Even J-grade diamonds appear white when properly set, especially in warm metals.
• Myth: "Color is the most important factor." Reality: Cut quality impacts beauty far more than color grade.

Recommended Approach

The "sweet spot" for color depends on your priorities:

• Premium Choice: E-F colorless (for those who want absolute perfection)
• Best Value: G-H near-colorless (appears colorless when set, costs 20-30% less)
• Budget Friendly: I-J (great for yellow gold settings or smaller diamonds under 1.5ct)
• Avoid: D grade unless you have unlimited budget – the price premium rarely justifies the imperceptible difference from E-F

Understanding Clarity Grades

Clarity refers to the presence of internal inclusions (inside) and external blemishes (surface) in a diamond. These are natural characteristics formed during the diamond's creation deep within the earth.

• FL (Flawless): No inclusions or blemishes visible under 10x magnification. Extremely rare, less than 1% of diamonds.
• IF (Internally Flawless): No inclusions visible under 10x magnification, only minor surface blemishes. Very rare.
• VVS1-VVS2 (Very Very Slightly Included): Minute inclusions extremely difficult for skilled graders to see under 10x magnification.
• VS1-VS2 (Very Slightly Included): Minor inclusions visible under 10x magnification but difficult to see. Often invisible to the naked eye. VS1+ recommended for confidence in clean appearance across all shapes.
• SI1-SI2 (Slightly Included): Noticeable inclusions under 10x magnification. SI2 may show small visible marks to the naked eye. "Eye-clean" SI1 diamonds offer excellent value in round/brilliant cuts.
• I1-I3 (Included): Obvious inclusions visible to the naked eye that affect transparency and brilliance. Not recommended.

How to Choose Clarity Grade

The key concept is "eye-clean" – inclusions that are invisible to the naked eye from normal viewing distance (6-12 inches).

• For Round & Brilliant Cuts: SI1 is often eye-clean due to facet structure hiding inclusions. Excellent value choice for most buyers.
• For Step Cuts (Emerald, Asscher): Minimum VS2 required. Large open facets make inclusions more visible. VS1 or higher strongly recommended for clean appearance.
• For All Shapes (Best Practice): VS1 or higher provides confidence in clean appearance across all diamond shapes and sizes.
• For Larger Diamonds (2+ ct): Move up one clarity grade. Inclusions become more visible as size increases.
• For Smaller Diamonds (under 0.75ct): SI1-SI2 can be acceptable in round cuts. Inclusions are less visible in smaller stones.
• Budget Strategy: Focus on eye-clean appearance rather than microscopic perfection. SI1 can look identical to VVS2 to the naked eye.

Common Misconceptions

• Myth: "Higher clarity always means more beautiful." Reality: Once a diamond is eye-clean, higher clarity provides no visible improvement.
• Myth: "Inclusions make diamonds fragile." Reality: Most inclusions don't affect durability. Only large feathers near edges pose any risk.
• Myth: "Flawless diamonds are worth the premium." Reality: FL/IF diamonds cost 40-50% more than VS1 with zero visible difference when worn.
• Myth: "All SI1 diamonds have visible inclusions." Reality: Many SI1 diamonds are completely eye-clean, especially in round brilliants.
• Myth: "Clarity is more important than cut." Reality: Cut quality determines sparkle far more than clarity. A well-cut SI1 outshines a poorly cut VVS1.

Recommended Approach

Clarity should be optimized for value while ensuring eye-clean appearance:

• Premium Choice: IF-VVS1 (for investment or heirloom pieces requiring certified perfection)
• Best Value: VS1-VS2 (eye-clean across all shapes and sizes, recommended for confidence)
• Budget Friendly: SI1 (excellent for round/brilliant cuts under 2ct, verify eye-clean)
• Caution with SI2: May show small visible marks. Only consider for round cuts under 1ct where inclusions are less visible.
• Avoid: FL/IF unless you have a specific reason – you're paying for microscopic perfection no one will ever see
• Also Avoid: I1-I3 grades – obvious inclusions visible to naked eye that affect beauty and resale value

Understanding Cut Quality

Cut quality determines how well a diamond interacts with light. A well-cut diamond reflects light from one facet to another and disperses it through the top of the stone, resulting in maximum brilliance and fire.

• Excellent/Ideal: Maximum brilliance and fire. Light performance is optimized with perfectly proportioned facets. Only available for round brilliant diamonds.
• Very Good: Exceptional light return, nearly identical to Excellent to the naked eye. The highest practical grade for fancy shapes (princess, cushion, emerald, etc.). Offers excellent value.
• Good: Reflects most light, suitable for smaller diamonds where differences are less noticeable. Not recommended as primary choice.
• Fair/Poor: Noticeably less brilliant, light escapes through sides and bottom. Not recommended.

Why Cut Is The Most Important Factor

Of the 4Cs, cut has the greatest impact on a diamond's beauty. Even a diamond with perfect color and clarity will appear dull if poorly cut, while a well-cut diamond with lower color/clarity grades will sparkle brilliantly.

• Brilliance: How much white light reflects back to your eye
• Fire: The dispersion of light into rainbow colors
• Scintillation: The sparkle and pattern of light/dark areas when the diamond moves

A poorly cut diamond loses light through the sides and bottom, resulting in a lifeless appearance regardless of its other qualities.

How to Choose Cut Quality

• Always Prioritize Cut First: Cut has the most impact on a diamond's overall appearance. Invest in Excellent or Very Good cut before upgrading color or clarity.
• Round Brilliants: Aim for Excellent/Ideal cut grade. Only round diamonds are eligible for Excellent grade due to strict grading standards.
• Fancy Shapes: Aim for Very Good grade. This is the highest practical grade for princess, cushion, emerald, oval, pear, marquise, and other fancy shapes.
• Avoid "Good" or Lower: The price difference between Good and Very Good is minimal, but the visual impact on brilliance and sparkle is significant.
• Budget Allocation: Prioritize cut quality over larger carat weight. A well-cut smaller diamond will appear more brilliant than a poorly cut larger one.

Common Misconceptions

• Myth: "All diamonds sparkle the same." Reality: Cut quality creates dramatic differences in sparkle, even between diamonds of the same size and grade.
• Myth: "Cut and shape are the same." Reality: Shape refers to outline (round, princess, etc.), while cut refers to proportions and light performance.
• Myth: "Larger diamonds always look better." Reality: A smaller, well-cut diamond will appear more brilliant than a larger, poorly cut one.
• Myth: "Very Good is 'second best.'" Reality: Very Good cut diamonds are virtually indistinguishable from Excellent to the naked eye.

Recommended Approach

Industry experts universally recommend prioritizing cut quality above all other factors:

• Best Choice for Rounds: Excellent or Ideal cut grade (only available for round brilliant diamonds)
• Best Choice for Fancy Shapes: Very Good grade (the highest practical grade for all non-round shapes)
• Good Value: Very Good cut offers 95%+ of Excellent performance at lower cost. Virtually indistinguishable to the naked eye.
• Avoid: Good or lower grades sacrifice too much brilliance to justify any savings. Always prioritize cut quality over size.