Carat measures a diamond’s weight, not its size. One carat equals 200 milligrams, and larger carats are rarer, making them more valuable. However, two diamonds of equal carat weight can appear different based on their cut and shape.

• Tip: A well-cut 1-carat diamond can look larger than a poorly cut 1.5-carat one.
• Popular Sizes: 0.5ct, 1ct, 2ct are common for engagement rings.
• Cost Impact: Prices increase exponentially with carat weight due to rarity.

Balance carat with cut for the best sparkle within your budget.

The cut determines a diamond’s brilliance and sparkle. It’s not about shape (e.g., round, princess), but how well the facets are proportioned to reflect light. Grades range from Poor to Excellent.

• Ideal Cut: Maximizes sparkle, ideal for round diamonds.
• Depth & Table: Affect how light travels; too deep or shallow reduces brilliance.
• Tip: Prioritize cut over carat for a dazzling ring.

A superb cut makes even a smaller diamond outshine a larger, poorly cut one.

Clarity assesses a diamond’s internal inclusions and external blemishes. Graded from Flawless (no imperfections under 10x magnification) to Included (visible flaws), higher clarity increases value.

• VS1-VS2: Very Slightly Included; excellent value, no visible flaws.
• SI1-SI2: Slightly Included; minor flaws invisible to the naked eye.
• Tip: Choose “eye-clean” diamonds (SI1+) to save without compromising beauty.

Most imperfections are microscopic, so focus on clarity that looks flawless to you.

Color grades a diamond’s lack of hue, from D (colorless) to Z (light yellow). Colorless diamonds are rarer and more valuable, but slight tints are often imperceptible in jewelry settings.

• D-F: Colorless; premium choice for white gold or platinum.
• G-J: Near-colorless; great value, looks white in most settings.
• Tip: Choose G-H for yellow gold to mask any faint tints.

Focus on color grades that complement your metal choice for a harmonious look.