Choosing a diamond is not an easy task. As you already would know, diamonds come in different shapes, sizes and colours. This makes selecting the perfect diamond a daunting task. In this article, we will discuss the answer to one of the most common questions - What is the perfect weight for my diamond?
Considering that every person is different with their own unique personality, quirks, choices and budget, giving a definite answer to the above question is nearly impossible.
However, what we can do is pass on some basic tips for commonly asked questions around a perfect sized diamond. We hope that by the end of this article, you find it reasonably easy to decide on the ideal size diamond that fits your budget.
Let’s begin!
It is a common misconception that the carat weight determines the size and look of a diamond. Note that a carat is a unit of weight, not size.
When a diamond is fixed in a jewellery item, we can see the diamond only from the top. This makes it essential to check the dimensions (width and length) of the diamond.
While it is clear that a five-carat diamond will be bigger than a one-carat diamond, if you’re comparing diamonds with similar carat weights, you must check the dimensions for picking a better looking, more sparkling diamond in your budget.
The answer to this question is highly influenced by your budget for purchasing a diamond and carat weight
For example, if you have a minimal budget, you should go for more rounded shapes.
Whereas, if you don’t mind the carat weight and have an unlimited budget, you can go for elongated shapes like pear, marquise, emerald and oval.
The trick here is that elongated shapes like pear, marquise, emerald and oval appear larger than more rounded shapes (like the Round Brilliant).
A diamond with around 0.7ct (or 70 points) centre size is the most popular. This is because it has a delicate balance of width and height across the finger, so it is not too high and can be easily worn without it being stuck on objects. This size is also popular because it is a beautiful quality diamond that can be purchased without blowing a big hole in your pocket.
If you find a 1ct diamond that easily fits your budget, you are at a high risk of buying poor quality, a deep diamond that appears small.
Instead, opting for a smaller, nicely proportioned diamond will look beautiful, without appearing small.
If you’re looking for an exact 1ct diamond, be prepared to pay more than for 0.99ct or 1.01ct diamonds of the same size and quality. This is because the market for an exact one ct diamond (or exact 2ct or 3ct diamond and so on) is extremely competitive, so prices are higher.
If you have your heart set on an exact one-carat diamond, be prepared to pay more.
If you can be flexible with its carat weight, you can go a bit higher or lower in the carat weights and save some pennies!
Another alternative to one-carat diamond is to go for a halo ring - it adds a row of diamonds around a central stone. This way, the ring looks much bigger and absolutely beautiful!
Yes, a lab-grown diamond makes a good alternative to natural diamonds because they are more ethical and eco-friendly plus you can save heaps! A lab-grown diamond has precisely the same chemical composition as a natural diamond. But it is a human-made diamond that is created by simulating the temperatures that form a diamond in the earth.