When shopping for a diamond engagement ring, there are many factors that need to be discussed. One of the things that couples talk about are diamond carats, which is simply the weight of the diamond. Obviously, a 1 carat diamond will be much more expensive than a smaller carat stone, because higher carats are naturally more rare. However, the average size of a diamond used in an engagement ring is 1/3 of a carat.

Even if you can’t afford a huge diamond, there are certain settings and design elements that can be incorporated to make the diamond look larger than it actually is!

What Size Should You Buy?

Unfortunately, there seems to be a misconception among many inexperienced jewelry buyers that the bigger the diamond, the better it is. While bigger diamonds are more expensive, of course, that does not mean they are better than a smaller stone. Of course, the size you choose should not only be appropriate for your budget, but also based on your bride-to-be’s preferences as well.

Carat weight is not the only factor that will influence the price of a diamond though. The other C”s of the 4 C’s (color, clarity and cut) also influence the final price.

Finally, you should also base your decision on carat weight by how it would look on your bride-to-be’s hand. If her hands are small and dainty, a larger stone would look ridiculous, whereas if she has larger hands and fingers, a small stone may become lost and look out of place.

How to Make a Small Diamond Appear Larger

Even if you can’t afford a large carat weight, you can still employ certain tricks with the design of the engagement ring to make the stone appear larger than it actually is. If you have an elongated diamond shape, such as a marquise diamond, they will appear larger than they actually are. An elevated prong setting can also create the illusion of a bigger stone, and side or accent stones nestled against the central stone can also create an optical illusion to add size to the diamond.

Total Weight

The total carat weight of a diamond engagement ring depends on the weight of all stones used in an engagement ring. If you choose a ring with several accent stones, this will increase the overall carat weight of the ring and quite possibly increase the price as well. When comparing various engagement rings, make sure you verify the carat weight of each stone, including the central stone, which should make up the largest portion of the total carat weight of the ring.

Even though the carat weight of a diamond is important, many people believe that the higher the carat weight, the better the stone is. While this isn’t always the case, it is important to buy an engagement ring that is within your budget, no matter what the weight of the stones are.

You can view a fine selection of engagement rings to meet all budgets at EngagementRings.org.