The Ultimate Carat Size Guide for Your Engagement Ring
Congratulations! You’re getting engaged. That calls for an important piece of fine jewelry, namely, the engagement ring. There are a few things to understand as you begin shopping, and “carats” is one of them. Yes, it describes the size of the stone, but there’s more to it. Capucelli are experts in fine (and very affordable) jewelry, so here’s your complete engagement ring carat size guide.
Introduction
A “carat” is one of the Four C’s you should know about when ring shopping. It joins “color,” “clarity,” and “cut” in determining the quality of the diamond and the cost.
“Carat” derives its name from “carob” seed. This was used by early gemstone merchants as a counterweight in measuring the weight of a stone.
What is Carat Size?
The carat measures the weight of a diamond or other gemstone; a single carat is typically 0.2 grams. It doesn’t necessarily dictate the size of the stone. The careful cut of the diamond can make two stones of the same weight appear completely different in size.
What Does Shape Have to Do with Size?
The shape can make a stone appear bigger than its carat size. For example, ovals or pear-shaped cuts look larger than round or square shapes. It’s all in how the mass of the diamond is distributed.
What is the Average Carat Size for an Engagement Ring?
It runs about one carat, give or take. Younger couples tend to pick smaller diamonds whereas older couples lean towards a larger stone.
How to Find the Right Carat Size for You?
Budget
The standard rule of thumb is to spend two month’s salary on an engagement ring. However, Capucelli has made it our business to offer you fine jewelry at deeply discounted prices (we cut out the middleman markup), so you can get a lot more “carat” for your cash!
Personal Preference
Your personal preference plays a very big role in choosing the carats in an engagement ring. Remember that the weight of the carat doesn’t dictate size; the shape of the stone can make even a single carat look like more.
Finger Size
Long fingers can get away with almost any shape of diamond. Thicker or shorter fingers look beautiful with an oval or pear-shaped stone. If you have broad hands, try a round or princess-cut diamond.
Lifestyle
If you’re very athletic or you work with your hands, you might prefer a smaller carat that won’t get in the way of your activities. You’re going to be wearing this ring forever, so be realistic about how it will work with your typical day.
Prioritize Quality Over Size
Size isn’t everything. The carat is just one of the Four C’s, the others being clarity, cut, and color. When you’re shopping for a diamond engagement ring, balance the size with those other factors to get the best overall quality stone.
How to Change Your Engagement Ring’s Carat Size?
What Engagement Ring Carat Size is Right for Your Hand?
A carat simply measures the weight of the stone. The carat size itself doesn’t determine how “right” it is for your hand; the way that it’s cut does. For example, a single carat can be made to appear much larger if cut into an elongated shape because the mass is distributed differently than a round shape.
Long fingers can wear almost any shape of stone. Thicker or shorter fingers look beautiful with an oval or pear-shaped stone. If you have broad hands, try a round or princess-cut diamond.
Also, consider your lifestyle. Will a larger stone get in the way of your daily activities?
Conclusion
Shopping for an engagement ring should be fun and exciting! To understand diamond rings, first familiarize yourself with the Four Cs: carats, clarity, cut, and color. You hear the term “carats” a lot; just know that it refers to the weight of the stone, not necessarily the size. A typical single-carat stone weighs about 0.2 grams; you could have two diamonds of the same carat size, but one can look larger than the other due to the shape in which it’s cut. For example, cutting it into an oval or pear shape will make the stone look larger than one in a round cut.
Capucelli offers exceptional deals on diamond rings and other fine jewelry. Best of all, they're so affordable, because we've cut out the middleman markup. That means you get so much more for your money. And remember, we can also create a bespoke ring to bring your vision of the perfect engagement ring to life!
