The ideal weight of a diamond: how to choose the perfect cut
The relationship between the weight and the quality of a diamond
The weight of a diamond is measured in carats (ct), and it is an important factor to consider when buying a diamond. However, the weight of a diamond should not be confused with the quality of a diamond. The quality of a diamond is determined by factors such as color, clarity, and cut, which influence a diamond's brilliance, clarity, and symmetry.
It is important to note that the price of a diamond is strongly related to its weight, the heavier the diamond, the more expensive it will be. However, a lighter diamond may have a higher quality and be shinier than a heavier diamond. In fact, a smaller but high quality diamond can have the same price as a larger but lower quality diamond. It is therefore important to find a balance between the weight and the quality of a diamond to obtain the best value for money.
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De Hantsetters, diamonteers since 1888
The ideal weight for an engagement ring diamond
For engagement rings, an ideal weight for a diamond is generally considered to be between 0.30 and 1 carat. This size is popular because it's big enough to grab attention, but not too big to be ostentatious or expensive. However, the ideal weight will also depend on personal preferences and budget. Some people prefer a smaller diamond for a more understated look, while others prefer a larger diamond for a more extravagant look. It is therefore important to consider your preferences and budget when selecting the ideal weight for an engagement ring diamond.
Engagement ring
4 Claws Classic
Solitaire diamond with 4 claws, a classic and timeless style. The highlighting of the diamond…
Ring
BRILLIANT
The perfect gift for your ever lasting love. Hand made french jewellery. Gold 750/000. Delivered in…
Pendant & Necklace
4 CLAWS
4 claw diamond pendant without bail. Forçat chain fixed by 2 rings on each side of the…
Wedding Band
RUBAN
Classic diamond wedding ring. 18 carats gold. Made in France. Delivered in a jewellery box. See…
Earrings
4 CLAWS CRADLE
Handmade diamond earrings, 4 claws heart-shaped cradle setting. Elegant exclusive design by…
Bracelet
ETERNITY
Diamond bezel bracelet. Very popular, a style that is both classic and contemporary. 18 carats…
Engagement ring
5 Claws Classic
Solitaire diamond with 5 claws. Solitaire offered in 18k white, yellow or pink gold (750/000) or in…
Ring
PRINCESS ROYAL
Style full of sparkle without being ostentatious. The dawn of passion and romance. Hand made to…
Pendant & Necklace
3 CLAWS B
Diamond pendant with 3 claws to enhance the stone as much as possible. Crimping carried out with…
Wedding Band
NOCEA
A modern style: diamonds are entwined in a crimped said "rail", a very contemporary…
Earrings
3 CLAWS PREMIUM
Handmade earrings with diamond belt based on mid height of the claws which are based on a rabbet.…
Bracelet
ERGO
Very modern, bright without being ostentatious. Pleasure of playing with the brilliance of…
The ideal weight for a diamond pendant or earrings
For pendants and earrings, the ideal weight for a diamond can vary depending on the size and shape of the piece of jewelry. For pendants, a weight between 0.30 and 0.70 carats is often considered ideal because it is small enough to be inconspicuous, yet large enough to be noticed. For earrings, a weight of around 0.20 to 0.50 carats is often considered ideal because it is large enough to attract attention, but not too large to be bulky. However, it is important to consider your preferences and budget when selecting the ideal weight for a diamond pendant or earrings.
The ideal weight of diamonds for a wedding band
For wedding rings, the ideal weight for a diamond is generally considered to be between 0.01 and 0.20 carats. This size is popular because it's small enough to be discreet and suitable for everyday use, yet large enough to be noticed. However, the ideal weight will also depend on personal preferences and budget. Some people prefer a smaller diamond for a more understated look, while others prefer a larger diamond for a more elegant look. It is therefore important to consider your preferences and your budget when selecting the ideal weight for a diamond for a wedding band.
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In conclusion, the ideal weight for a diamond will depend on your personal preferences and your budget. It is important to strike a balance between the weight and the quality of a diamond to get the best value for money. It is also important to consider the type of jewelry and the use for which you are buying the diamond. It is recommended to consult a professional to help you make a wise choice and to fully understand the quality criteria of diamonds.
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What quality criteria for your preferred diamond? i-diamond gives you advice about which quality criterion for the…
Diamond Certificates (GIA, IGI, HRD)
Essential information about certified diamonds and recognised diamond certificates by professional diamantaires…
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Jewellery Guides
Jewellery in gold or platinium ?
Jewelry in white gold, yellow gold or platinum jewelry? i-Diamond, a specialist in white gold jewelry, 18k yellow and…
Standard or hand made jewellery ?
Handmade jewelry or industrial? i-diamants specialist handmade jewelry and customized according to the proportions of…
Classic or customized jewellery ?
Classic and custom jewelry? i-diamond jewelry specialist classic and tailored according to the proportions of the…
F.A.Q.
Comment choisir un diamant dans notre catalogue de prix ?
La qualité d’un diamant est déterminée par 4 critères principaux que l’on…
Comment nos sélections vous aident à choisir votre diamant ?
Diamantaires depuis 1888, nous sélectionnons les plus beaux diamants naturels. Pour vous aider à choisir…
Comment choisir la pureté de votre diamant ?
L’importance du critère de pureté augmente de pair avec le poids du diamant. En effet, s’il…
De Hantsetters, diamonteers since 1888
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Contact us nowWe recommend the following 5 selections
To help you choose, we recommend 5 categories of diamonds that correspond to different purposes: Volume (maximizing weight), Balance (compromise weight and quality), Perfection (maximizing quality), Cut of heart (the i-diamonds recommendation), Promotion (one-time price offer).
Volume effectmaximize the weight of the diamond relative to its price, I-J color and SI1-SI2 clarity
Choice of balancefavor a good balance of color / clarity: F-G / VS1-VS2
Perfectionmaximize the quality of the diamond with the best criteria of color and clarity: D IF
Favorite's choicediamond selected by i-diamants for its shine, D-E color, VS1 clarity, cut criteria all rated
Promotionsdiamond with a 5% promotion
Carats / Diamond weight
Move the diamond weight slider and view the rendering on a hand, chest or ears.
Carat
mm (Approx.)
0,30 Ct
4,30 mm
0,40 Ct
4,60 mm
0,50 Ct
5,00 mm
0,70 Ct
5,70 mm
1,00 Ct
6,30 mm
1,25 Ct
6,90 mm
1,50 Ct
7,30 mm
Equivalence for round brilliant diamonds
Examples of different diamond measures
0,30 Ct
0,50 Ct
0,80 Ct
1,00 Ct
1,50 Ct
Diamond colours
Our recommandation
We recommend diamonds with a white hue between D (exceptional white+) and H (white) because the whiteness of the diamond increases its brilliance. From color grade I and J (slightly tinted) onwards, diamonds are slightly yellow-tinted: avoid on white gold and acceptable on yellow gold.
D-EExceptional white
F-GExtra white
HWhite
I-JSlightly tinted
K-MTinted white
N-ZVery tinted
Diamond clarity
Our recommandation
We recommend that you avoid choosing a Pique diamond, because inclusions are easily seen with the naked eye, alter the brilliance and can even weaken the stone. The clarities included in VS and SI1 are the most recommended , unless you have the budget to let yourself be tempted by IF or VVS clarities, which sign the diamond in its highest dimension: that of purity.
IFPure
VVSVery very small inclusion(s)
VSVery small inclusion(s)
SISmall inclusion(s)
PIncluded
IF : Pure
No inclusion inside the stone
VVS1 VVS2 : Very very small inclusion(s)
Very difficult to see with a 10X magnifying glass
VS1 VS2 : Very small inclusion(s)
Difficult to see with a 10X magnifying glass
SI1 SI2 : Small inclusion(s)
Easy to see with a 10X magnifying glass and difficult to see with naked eye
P1 P2 P3 : Included
Easy to see with naked eye
Diamond cut
When a diamond is well cut, light reflects from one facet to the other, making the most of the diamond's high refractive property. A less well-cut diamond lets some of the light escape.
Our recommandation
We advise you to choose a diamond with a quality rating equal to Excellent (EX) or Very Good (VG) to maximize the refraction of light and therefore the diamond brilliance.
EXExcellent
VGVery Good
GGood
FFair
PPoor
Most recognized certificates: GIA, HRD and IGI
Always ask to see the certificate before purchasing a certified diamond. For all of our certified diamonds, we display a link (GIA, HRD or IGI) that you can click to view the diamond’s full certificate.
We only offer natural diamonds accompanied by a certificate of authenticity and quality issued by one of the 3 most prestigious and world-renowned laboratories: GIA, HRD and IGI. The certificate number is engraved on the girdle (circumference) of all our HRD, IGI and GIA certified diamonds.
Laser engraving
The three major diamond certification laboratories HRD, IGI and GIA laser engrave the certificate number on the girdle (circumference) of the diamond. The certificate number is therefore engraved on all our HRD, IGI and GIA certified diamonds. This is a proof of the good match of the diamond and its certificate. The inscription is very small (to preserve the purity of the stone) and very difficult to read with the magnifying glass 10X.
If you order only the diamond (without the jewel), it will be delivered under seal in a rigid plastic pouch (see photo below) for diamonds certified by HRD or by IGI. For GIA diamonds, the seal must be specifically requested in the comments field during the ordering process.
Diamond Fluorescence
Fluorescence is a luminous effect that some diamonds exhibit when exposed to ultraviolet light. They show visible light, usually blue.
Our recommandation
Since fluorescence may in some cases give a milky diamond appearance, prefer a diamond without fluorescence ("None" or "Nil")
None or Nil
Absence of fluorescence
Slight or Faint
Little fluorescence
Medium
Medium fluorescence
Strong
Strong fluorescence
Very Strong
Very strong fluorescence
Diamond Polishing
When cutting the diamond, each facet must be polished. If a diamond has no scratches or very minor scratches on the surface, the polish is high. The better the polishing, the more it allows the transmission of light through the different facets of the diamond.
Our recommandation
We recommend choosing a polish rated Excellent (EX) or Very Good (VG) to ensure the best finish and shine.
EXExcellent
VGVery Good
GGood
FFair
PPoor
Diamond Symmetry
Symmetry describes the symmetrical accuracy of the facets of the diamond in terms of dimensions and angles, as well as the centering of the table and the centering of the breech point of the diamond. A higher level of symmetry creates optimal shine and scintillation.
Our recommandation
We advise you to choose a diamond with a symmetry rating equal to Excellent (EX) or Very Good (VG) to maximize the sparkle.
EXExcellent
VGVery Good
GGood
FFair
PPoor