Choosing the Right Diamond Size

Use this photo as a reference, together with this comprehensive guide, to choose the diamond size that's right for you. Photo ©2019 EraGem Jewelry.   When it comes to engagement rings, diamond size matters. It's not that bigger is necessarily better. It's that your lifestyle and your finger are uniquely yours. You want to choose the setting and shape that best suits your lifestyle. And you want to choose the size and shape that best suits your finger size and length. We offer this photo, as well as this complete guide, so you can choose the diamond size and shape that best suit you.  

Let Your Personal Style Guide You

Of course, your personal preferences come first. Are you the go big or go home type? Or do you prefer the minimalist approach? If you love flare, then opt for larger sizes, over 1.75 carats. If you prefer tighter lines and leaner profiles, opt for 1 carat or less. As you can see in the photo, diamonds in the less than 1 carat range still create a big sparkle but fit better on diminutive bands. Perhaps you prefer understated elegance. Or would you opt for intricate detailing in your setting? If you like understated elegance, then a .5 to 1.0 carat diamond solitaire on a plain band might be just right for you. However, if you prefer a more intricate setting, you could choose a .5 to 1 carat diamond surrounded by a halo of diamonds on a pave-set band. The first and most important step in choosing the right diamond size is identifying your personal preferences. At EraGem, we offer a wide variety of sizes spanning the full range of jewelry eras, beginning with the Victorian Era. Each jewelry era offers a unique combination of characteristics. In order to get a sense of your personal style, it might help to browse a selection of rings from each era. I offer the following links for your convenience:

Victorian Engagement Rings Edwardian Engagement Rings Art Nouveau Engagement Rings Art Deco Rings Retro/Vintage Engagement Rings Contemporary Engagement Rings

Once you identify your personal preferences, it's time to take into account your lifestyle as you decide which size of diamond to choose.  

Lifestyle Considerations

Do you work in an office and have fairly mellow hobbies? Or do you work with your hands and rock climb on the weekends? For women who engage in vigorous activities involving bangs and knocks to the hands, it is wise to consider the impact these activities might have on your diamond engagement ring. In general, smaller diamonds work better for more active lifestyles. Look for diamonds in the .5 to 1.0 carat range. Also, consider choosing a low-profile setting which holds the diamond close to the finger, as opposed to a cathedral setting which raises the diamond high above the finger. Another beautiful option for active women is a bezel-set diamond. Though some believe that bezel-set diamonds sparkle less than prong-set, this simply isn't true. The majority of sparkle from a diamond hits the eye as the light enters through the top of the diamond, hits the bottom facets, and then reflects back up through the top. This means that bezel-set diamonds, when cut well, reflect plenty of light to provide all the sparkle you need. Furthermore, they come in a range of shapes and sizes. With the girdle safely protected by a rim of metal, you can choose a larger diamond for active work and leisure. If you prefer a prong setting, we recommend choosing six prongs rather than four, to provide greater security for your precious diamond. Alternatively, you can choose to remove and safely store your diamond engagement ring during vigorous activities. We recommend choosing a safe place at home to keep your engagement and wedding rings when you're not wearing them. If this is not an option, carry a ring box or a soft fabric bag with you and lock them safely in the car or in a locker.  

Finger Length and Size

When choosing the right diamond size, you will want to consider the size, shape, and length of your fingers and hands. Are your fingers long and thin, or shorter and wider? Either way, we are here to guide you in making the right decision about diamond size.

Large Hands & Diamond Size

Hand size also plays a role. Some women have large hands with long, slender fingers. Others have large hands with large knuckles and wide fingers. Either way, if you have large hands you will want to consider choosing a larger diamond. If your budget allows, we suggest a diamond 1.75 carats or larger, especially for those with larger knuckles and fingers. Slender fingers can sometimes support a smaller diamond. Diana Vreeland loved to overemphasize the unique attributes of her Vogue cover models. Likewise, rather than hiding your individuality, you can draw attention to it. Accentuate long fingers with an oval- or marquise-cut diamond. Or accentuate large knuckles with a large round brilliant or cushion-cut diamond. Of curse, you might may prefer to draw attention away from your fingers and toward your ring. In that case, for long fingers choose a cushion- or princess-cut diamond on a bold setting with a wider band. For large knuckles, choose a wide band with three stones. Choose a central diamond around 2 carats, with two 1-carat diamonds (or colored gemstones) flanking it. Another beautiful option for large hands or knuckles is the split-shank ring with either a diamond solitaire or halo.

Petite Hands & Diamond Size

If your hands are small, we recommend diamonds ranging between .5 and 1.0 carats. Shy away from wide bands. Instead, opt for more delicate, narrow bands. Choosing the softer lines of a round brilliant or cushion-cut ring prevents the ring from dominating your hand. Some women have small hands with chubby fingers. If this is true for you, choose a split-shank ring with a cathedral solitaire. For the diamond, choose between 0.5 and 1.5, but try not to go too big for the diamond. Aim for optimal proportions. If you go too narrow with the band, you run the risk of the metal blending in with your skin. Go too wide, and you'll dwarf your fingers too much. With the diamond, if you go too large, the diamond will overpower the hand. Too small, and the effect will underwhelm. In terms of cut, avoid those with a square shape, like the Asscher, cushion, and princess cuts. Choose instead those that elongate, like the pear, oval, or marquise cuts. Regardless of the size and shape of your hands and fingers, pear-, oval-, and marquise-cut diamonds elongate the fingers. Whereas, cushion-, Asscher-, and princess-cut diamonds widen the fingers or draw attention to the ring itself. Large diamonds on small fingers overwhelm, whereas small diamonds on large fingers underwhelm. Furthermore, thin bands accentuate the finger, whereas wide bands draw attention away from the finger toward the ring. With these guidelines, you are well on your way to choosing the perfect diamond size for your unique features. However, there is one more important factor when considering diamond size. That is, of course, your budget. Diamonds are priced first and foremost per carat. In tomorrow's post, I will share tips and tricks for getting the right size for the right price. ~Angela Magnotti Andrews