Once you've determined what cut, color, and clarity grade you're looking for in a diamond, it's easy to decide what carat weight of diamond you can fit within your budget.
How Big is a Carat ?
This chart illustrates the graduation of diamond sizes. Note that a 2-carat diamond does not appear to be twice the size of a 1-carat diamond when viewed from above.
Diamond Value Increases with Size
Remember that since large pieces of diamond rough are discovered less frequently than small ones, large diamonds are generally more valuable. A two-carat diamond of a given quality is always worth more than two 1-carat diamonds of the same quality.
What Size is the Best ?
After you decide on grades of cut, color, and clarity, then consider your recipient's style, the size of her finger, the size of diamond that will fit in your setting, and finally your budget.
If you have a set budget, explore all your options and you'll find that there is a wide range of diamond sizes and qualities available in any price range.
If your recipient is very active or not used to wearing jewelry, she may find herself bumping or nicking her new ring on objects. Consider a smaller size diamond or a setting that protects a larger diamond from getting caught or knocked against anything.
Also keep in mind that the smaller the finger, the larger the diamond will appear – a 1½-carat diamond solitaire looks much larger on a size 4 finger than a size 8.
If you have already chosen a setting, to make sure you choose a diamond to fit, look for the diamond size specifications of your ring in the product catalog or ask your Amir Agha customer service associate what size diamond you should look for.
Finally, if a large carat weight is important to you, yet you're working within a budget, consider a diamond with a good cut, SI1–SI2 clarity, and in the near-colorless range.