A proposal is a grand gesture that will be memorable for the rest of your lifetime. Getting the ring absolutely perfect can be a pressure-filled decision. Every detail around the diamond size, style and quality will be considered. The largest diamonds are signs of luxury and tend to be a display of wealth and status, but an Engagement ring is also full of sentiment and needs to be appropriate for everyday wear. So finding that balance can prove to be a difficult decision. Many wonder about how many carats for an Engagement Ring is suitable.
So, which carat size is the ideal? First things first - let us tell you that diamond carats is a measurement of weight. It won’t tell too much about the dimensions of the length, width and depth of a diamond. It simply explains how light or heavy a diamond is. Of course as the carat weight increases so do the measurements and size of the stone. But its relation is not always that straightforward and simple. There is no such thing of a certain rule or principle that every 1.5ct Diamond is a standard size in dimensions. In fact, there is nothing standard about diamonds. Certain diamond shapes will cover more surface area on the finger compared to others even when they possess the same carat weight. Any elongated stone such as Marquise, Pear, Oval, Radiant will appear larger per carat weight compared to a Round, Princess, Asscher or Cushion cut. The reason behind this is due to the depth and angles of the diamond facets.
See above the difference between measurements comparing a Round Brilliant Cut and Oval Brilliant Cut diamond at the same carat weights. The Oval appears larger due to its elongated shape and slightly lower depth.
A 1.8ct Round Brilliant Cut in comparison to a 1.8ct Oval Brilliant Cut will have significantly more finger coverage as the diamond is crafted a little more low profile in a more elongated shape. So any elongated cut chosen for an Engagement ring will receive a larger looking diamond for the equivalent carat weight. If that wasn’t complicated enough there is yet another factor that determines the size of the diamond other than Diamond Shape alone - their proportions. You can find two Radiant cut diamonds with the exact same carat weight, let's say for example 2ct. But depending on whether they are crafted into a more Square, Rectangular or Elongated diamond the measurements for the length, width and depth will also vary between them.
All of these diamonds are listed on their certificates as 2ct but the proportions vary with each ratio. As you can see they are all different measurements and appear different in sizes.
If you were only looking purely at the shape and carat weight on a diamond certificate - these diamonds would appear identical. But in reality the difference in their appearance and their measurements can be quite dramatic. As you can see with these images. The diamond shape has a great influence over the overall silhouette and dimensions per carat weight. With all of that in mind, the pivotal decision of selecting the ideal carat weight still looms. There are many occasions that call for a larger than life diamond. But is an Engagement Ring one of these scenarios? There is more to this decision than meets the eye. Traditionally the ideal engagement ring with the largest carat weights are idolised. High carat weight diamonds symbolise romance and opulence for the grand gesture of the proposal. It’s all a part of the fairytale fantasy that many girls dream about - longing for the prince charming and big sparkly diamond ring. But this is where it really gets personal. In the midst of seeking the perfect diamond and ideal carat weight for your Engagement Ring it will tend to look different for everyone. It all depends on your vision. There is certainly no one-size fits all with Diamond carat weights. Every diamond will fit and flatter each hand in an individual way and be slightly different dimensions. And we can’t forget that one person may fall in love with a Round Diamond shape whilst another with another Diamond shape. So the difference in size between the shapes can be considerable.
The easiest way to take the guesswork out of which diamond carat weight to purchase is to view a diamond in-person and try on your own hand. What will be fitting will also be dependent on the setting style of your Engagement Ring. Usually the carat weight range our clients envision works well for them. But on occasion they may try a lower carat weight and find it's not as impactful as they once imagined or the high carat weight stunner they were eyeing overwhelms the hand. It’s better to be sure your imagination translates to reality for the most important ring in your lifetime. From client requests the most popular carat weight for centre diamonds are 1-1.5ct for Natural diamonds and 1.5ct-1.8ct for Lab-grown diamonds. It’s also not rare for customers to choose 2-3ct diamonds to craft into exceptional Engagement Rings. Many might also be relieved to hear that any engagement rings with centre stones under 1ct are not the norm.
There are often high expectations around the carat weight for the centre diamond of an Engagement Ring. Whilst the instant gratification of choosing your sought-after carat weight diamond is exciting, it’s equally important to consider the other 4C’s (cut, colour and clarity) when selecting a diamond so it sparkles brilliantly. Don’t mistake a high carat weight as the only factor in regards to diamond quality. Many are under the belief that a higher carat diamond means a more brilliant stone (which isn’t always the case). We’ve been conditioned to think that - but don’t let carat weight overshadow every other criteria of diamond quality. It’s all about finding a harmony between size, sparkle and price. Slight measurements may go unnoticed when you see a better quality diamond that is brighter and whiter. In fact, sometimes choosing a slightly lower carat weight but a higher quality cut will appear larger than a higher carat diamond poor quality stone. We wish to reinforce the idea to not to purely think bigger is better but to also consider diamond Colour grade, Clairty grade and Cut grade. We also want a bright, clear and sparkly diamond as well as a big one. It might be disappointing to purchase a very large stone with a high carat weight that is dull and cut poorly. If a budget does not align with a desired natural carat weight requirements and size is the priority we suggest clients to consider lab-grown. These spectacular diamonds are a more cost-effective alternative to get the size you’re looking for. Lab-Grown diamonds offer greater affordability to provide many more options that might otherwise be out of reach. If natural is your preference, there are also other ways to achieve a bigger the desired look within a specific budget. Ring settings such as diamond halos, higher profile solitaire rings, will all give the illusion of a larger centre diamond within a similar price-range. Ultimately, you want your Engagement Ring to be uniquely yours. And a part of finding the ideal carat size means carefully selecting the right diamond especially for you. Fundamentally the choice of the ideal carat weight for a Diamond Engagement Ring is a consideration of value, sentiment and personal preference. In other words, it’s completely up to the buyers discretion. Figuring out the ideal carat size diamond is up to their budget and what suits best the wearer for a coveted Engagement ring is completely unique for everyone.
To fully understand the elusive diamond carat weight for a tasteful, timeless engagement ring - you need to try and see what best suits you.
Instead of just imagining the ideal diamond carat weight, let us make it a reality. Are you ready to create a show-stopping Engagement Ring? Fill out our form below to request your consultation with us !
