- The most popular diamond sizes include 0.5ct, 0.75ct, 1ct, 1.5ct, and 2ct.
- Each size milestone significantly increases in price due to rarity of larger diamonds.
- Visual size differences can be subtle between adjacent weights.
- Choosing slightly below common carat marks can offer better value.
- It's important to also consider the setting style as it can enhance the perceived size of a smaller diamond.
1/2 carat - 3/4 carat
If you are working with a smaller budget for your ring or want something that won’t be too heavy, check out the half to three quarters of a carat options. It's a great diamond size that looks lovely on petite hands and is cost friendly to those who want to spend some of their budget on the design/metal of the ring setting. If you go with a stone of this size and would like to add something more to your design, that is always an option by having your band set with smaller diamonds (melee) which adds to the total carat weight of the ring without adding too much to the cost since melee diamonds will be significantly less expensive.
One carat
You very rarely see exactly 1.00ct. diamonds on the scale, so we're really talking about the range of carat weights from 1 carat up to the next popular size of 1.50 carats. Some numbers you might see when searching for 1 carat diamonds are 1.01ct. or 1.08 ct. The total carat weight of the diamond is dependent on how it is cut and polished which is why it's unlikely to see exactly 1.00ct for a diamond. The price of a diamond in this range will depend on its color, cut and clarity. One carat diamonds are common diamond sizes to show off a little more sparkle without being as petite as diamonds under 1.00ct.
Two carat
Going up from a one carat to a two carat diamond is a significant jump in terms of cost and size, but it can be worth it! Solitaire rings are known to look stunning when a 2ct. stone is featured in the center and you can easily find a 2 carat diamond in any shape.
To give you an idea of the difference in size, a 1 carat round diamond will usually measure around 6.4mm while a 2 carat round stone will usually measure about 8mm. Though this may not seem significant, once on your finger it is much easier to see the difference. To help visualize the difference in size, imagine the difference in circumference between a baseball and a billiard ball (9in vs. 7in). A 2 carat round stone is about 28% larger around than a 1 carat round diamond while a baseball is about 27% larger around than a billiard bill.
Just as with any other diamond, price is dictated by the 4C’s, though a 2 carat stone’s price bracket starts off higher than a 1 carat because it is heavier and rarer. In other words, there is more diamond!
Diamonds can range from .10 ct all the way up to 10 carats (and larger!) but the sizes that the majority of people go for are those that can be worn every day, are aesthetically pleasing on the finger, and that fit within their budget. Half a carat up to 2 carats (with all sizes and quarter sizes in between) are the most sought after diamond sizes on the market and are a great starting point to begin your search.
Check out our ring viewer to see what carat weight looks best on your hand!
