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When it comes to diamond rings, many people assume that bigger automatically means better. But that’s not always true. Opting for a 1 carat diamond ring is often the best choice for most couples — both in price and practicality.
Even better: It’s a classic, timeless style that’ll never go out of fashion, unlike some of the more trendy rings sported by celebrities.
No two couples are alike — and the same goes for the 1 carat diamond ring they use to symbolize their union. Diamonds are typically measured in 1 carat increments. The problem: Most of us don’t really know what that means, other than that a 1 carat diamond ring is smaller than a 2 carat diamond ring, which is smaller than a 3 carat diamond ring — and so on.
A carat is simply a unit of measurement that refers to the weight of the diamond, not the shape. 1 carat equals 0.2 grams, or 200 milligrams — about the size of quarter piece of Chiclets gum.
The actual look of a 1 carat diamond ring depends on a number of factors, including:
Opting for a 1 carat diamond ring gives you flexibility to really make it look unique, because the diamond isn’t the overwhelming focal point. However, you can still get more bang for your bling bucks by using a few tricks to make a 1 carat diamond ring look bigger.
Look for “excellent” stones. The Gem Institute of America has a grading system that rates diamonds by a number of factors, including the cut. Diamond cuts fall under one of four categories under this system: excellent, very good, good and fair.
A 1 carat diamond ring with an “excellent” score has better cuts and angles — and will shine more brightly — than other diamonds, making it look bigger to the naked eye.
Opt for fancier shapes. Circle diamonds aren’t cut as deep, making them look bigger on the surface. More oblong cuts — like oval, emerald or marquis — can give the impression that the diamond is bigger than its actual weight.
Avoid cushion-cut diamonds. Cushion-cut diamonds are deep set, meaning that a lot of the weight is under the surface and is less visible than other cuts.
Consider colored diamonds. Soft pink, yellow, blue or green diamonds tend to look bigger than they actually are.
Choose a platinum band. Going for a platinum band on your 1 carat diamond ring can help the stone look larger. The reason: the white color reflects the diamond, giving it a larger look.
Also, go for a thinner band while you’re at it, because a smaller band makes the diamond look bigger by comparison. The opposite rings true for a large band, too.
Go for a halo ring setting. Setting your one-carat diamond ring in a halo style is an effective way to make it look significantly bigger. A halo setting is a style that includes the center gemstone — the diamond — surrounded by a ring of pavé or micro-pavé diamonds.
The added pavé stones make the center diamond look bigger and reflect more light, drawing people to look at the ring.
Don’t go for a bezel setting. A bezel is a type of elongated setting on a ring that completely surrounds the diamond in metal edging. This style emphasizes the shape of the diamond inside — and there aren’t any accent stones to make it appear bigger.
Instead, go for more slender (or fewer) prongs to hold the diamond in place. This helps maximize how much of the diamond’s surface shows — and makes it look as big as possible.
The price of a 1 carat diamond ring — like all diamond rings — depends on the balance of the 4 C’s: color, clarity, carat and cut.
The weight of a diamond also plays into the price, though the cost of a 2-carat diamond ring isn’t necessarily double that of a 1-carat ring. Instead, one of the most important factors in the cost is the shape of the diamond. The reason: More intricate shapes can take longer to cut than others, driving up the price. Round diamonds are typically the most expensive cuts, followed by cushion-cut and princess-cut diamonds. The good news: Some oblong cuts – like ovals and emeralds — aren’t as expensive, so they can be a more economical option when buying a 1 carat diamond ring.
Pricing is also affected by the color and weight of the diamond. White diamonds tend to be more expensive with less color because they’re considered to have better clarity than other diamonds with knicks and other impurities. The GIA scale for white diamonds goes from D-Z, with D being the most valuable — and the most expensive. Red, blue, green and other colored diamonds are typically more expensive than even the most flawless white diamond. The reason: They’re more rare, so it drives up the price.
While there isn’t a one-size-fits-all price for a 1 carat diamond ring, you can find the right one for you — and your ring budget — by deciding which of the 4 Cs of diamonds is most important to you. If you have your heart set on a 1 carat diamond ring, consider opting for a gemstone that has less clarity (or cut in a less expensive shape).
Even better: Enlist the help of an expert gemologist. Ours are accessible through chat, email, or phone. Your gemologist can take your wishes — and your budget — into consideration to find the best 1 carat diamond ring that can turn your dreams into reality for a reasonable price.