The best feeling in the world is when you realise that you have found your person and cannot wait to begin the rest of your life together. It is equally exciting to shop for the best engagement ring that will be the token of your love and commitment. While there are several factors to consider while investing in your dream dazzler including the design, the metal and the setting, choosing a suitable diamond size is crucial. After all, it will impact the overall appeal of the ring as well as its budget. Although there is no ‘ideal’ diamond size for an engagement ring, we’ll look at the factors that will ultimately define your final choice.
Choosing the Carat Size
1. Average Carat Size for Engagement rings
When talking about diamond size, we mean the diamond’s carat weight. The average carat weight of diamonds for engagement rings depends on the geographical location. Surveys suggest that Americans consider one carat the average carat size, while Russians and Europeans consider it 0.6 and 0.5 carats, respectively. Another important criterion for choosing carat size is the age factor. Usually, young couples go for one or two-carat size diamond rings while older couples choose from a higher carat range. Ultimately, there’s no right or wrong answer when it comes to the average diamond size for engagement rings. It boils down to an individual’s style and budget preferences.
2. Which Carat Size Would Be the Best Choice?
Thanks to celebrity engagement rings and the paparazzi about them, the ‘big diamond’ trend is what more and more couples are obsessing over lately. They are willing to go for a larger diamond and make a statement. While there’s no one size fits all when it comes to diamond size, it will really depend on you and your partner. For example, a person with a size 4 finger will find a one-carat diamond ring big, while a person with a size 8 finger will find a one-carat ring small. So, to answer the question: what size diamond should I get for an engagement ring, well, that totally depends on personal choice. If your partner is into minimal jewellery, a smaller diamond is perfect for her. If she’s someone who loves making a statement, a ring with a large diamond will be a great choice.
Another contributing factor that determines how big the ring looks is the diamond’s shape. Different diamond cuts and shapes appear different on one’s finger. Elongated diamonds in the shape of oval, emerald-cut and pear can make the same one-carat diamond look longer and bigger. Hence if you are looking for something that looks big yet fits your budget, then an elongated shape would be perfect.
Unlike the laws of proportionality that govern size and perspective, it does not apply to your love and the size of the ring. So do not get carried away by society’s ideal carat size. Ultimately, your ring will represent the love and commitment that you both share and it will indicate the beginning of a new life together. So, you can choose the one a diamond engagement ring for women that looks best on your partner and doesn’t fall very heavy on your pocket.
Also Read: Are Small Engagement Rings a Better Choice?
How to Maximise the Diamond Size That Still Fits Your Budget?
If size matters to you and you are keen on a larger-looking engagement ring within your budget, there are myriad ways to achieve that, without going too big on the diamond’s carat weight. You can consider a few adjustments in the other elements of the diamond or the ring and customise them accordingly. The 4Cs of a diamond are colour, cut, clarity along with carat weight. If you can make a few considerations on the colour, cut and clarity, then it is possible that you get a higher carat diamond at a considerably lower price or a larger-looking diamond with lower carat weight.
These adjustments are hard to be caught by the human eye, like minute changes in the diamond colour and clarity. They can only be found by diamond experts so that you can be least bothered about it. Then, if you opt for an emerald cut instead of a round, you can have a diamond that appears bigger, despite of lower carat size.
With the help of the customisation options at Angara, you can make these adjustments and choose the 4Cs that perfectly fit your budget. Apart from these factors, there are yet other brilliant ways to make your sparkler look substantial. Here’s how…
A halo around the centre stone will not only add to its brilliance but also create an illusion of a larger diamond. The best part is that the small diamonds in the halo wouldn’t add up too much to your budget as compared to a diamond of a bigger carat weight.
An elabourate design with several metal details and diamond accents will not only look eye-catching but also add more dimension to your ring. Consider wide band, split shank or infinity-style twisted engagement rings or vintage-inspired pieces from our collection.
You can also head to Create With Angara and design your own engagement ring. You get to choose everything, from the ring setting and shank type to the accent stones, metal and more. This feature puts you in the designer seat and helps you get her dream sparkler in your budget.
Another option is to choose a lab diamond engagement ring. After all, a lab-grown diamond is chemically, optically and physically identical to a natural diamond. Lab engagement rings are easier on the pocket without compromising on that sparkle she loves. You can choose from different lab-grown diamond sizes for engagement rings. Just pick the carat weight that suits your budget. An average lab diamond size engagement ring at Angara ranges anywhere from 0.01 to over 3.01 carats.
Eager to know how many lab diamond carats should an engagement ring be? Well, it’s totally up to you. The engagement ring lab diamond size will impact the budget but will certainly offer all the shimmer and shine your partner adores.
No matter what you choose, just bear in mind that the love you share as a couple is more important than the ring representing it.
Also Read: Which Hand to Wear Your Engagement Ring On?
What Is a Good Budget for Your Engagement Ring?
There is no upper limit to a budget set for an engagement ring. However, surveys show that more and more couples are willing to spend lavishly on engagement rings. If you choose to go for the most expensive engagement ring within your budget, you can always finance it and avail of easy payment options with your jeweller.
Factors to Keep In Mind While Choosing Your Ring
1. Changing Trends
The latest engagement ring trends veer towards slightly larger diamonds, influenced by celebrity rings. While one carat has been the most popular diamond size for engagement rings, brides are now leaning towards 1.25 and 1.50-carat rings. If budget isn’t a big concern and you think a large diamond will look fantastic on her hand, you can simply go for a 2-carat diamond or over. Also, if you are not planning to spend the whole amount outright, you can always explore ways to finance an engagement ring and choose the best payment option that works for you.
2. Partner’s Lifestyle
Choose the ring’s style and size depending on your partner’s lifestyle. For example, you might want to choose a smaller diamond if she has a highly active lifestyle and her work entails hands-on activities. Make sure you go for a secured stone setting that will match her work life and prevent the ring from getting damaged.
3. Budget
The most important factor is definitely the budget you set for the ring. It is a wise option not to be carried away with the looks and style of a ring that is way off your budgeting limits. Use our customisation options to adjust the carat, cut, clarity and colour to get a ring that fits in your price.
Apart from deciding on the crucial factors that determine your perfect engagement ring, the next question that arises is when is the best time to buy an engagement ring? Well, it is advisable to buy the ring at least one month before you plan to propose. Once that’s done, you are seemingly relieved of the enormous task. You can now breathe and probably look for the best venue options and how to take an engagement ring selfie! After all, you’d want to share the good news with friends and family and tell the world – ‘she’s taken’, in style!
FAQ
Nearly half of all diamond engagement rings fall between 1 and 2 carat sizes. Having said that, a good diamond size will solely depend on your preferences. A 1, 1.25, or 1.50-carat diamond ring will be the best choice if size does not matter to you. However, if you are looking for something bigger, a 2 or 3-carat diamond ring is a good pick.
There is no hard and fast rule about the ideal size of an engagement ring. It is purely subjective and depends on your financial situation and lifestyle choices. Factors that determine the average stone size are age, location and the budget in hand. The average engagement ring size currently is 1.5 carats.
Society may have a few guidelines and rules set out for a respectable diamond size. But we would like to emphasize that it is only a matter of personal choice. To give you an idea, a diamond between one to two carats is a popular diamond size.
