Purchasing an engagement ring is an exciting time for any individual as it symbolizes devotion and commitment. It is the promise of marriage and every person is on the prowl for the perfect one. There are several factors that you must consider before choosing the ideal one, and carat and carat weight are definitely one of the most important ones.
In simple terms, carat weight measures how much a diamond weighs. And contrary to popular belief, it is not about how big they are, but just their actual weight. It helps to evaluate the price of the diamond as well as gives us a glimpse of its rarity.
If you are confused about what carat diamond to incorporate into your engagement diamond ring, read on. We have elaborated in detail on points that will help you reach your ideal match.
There Are Many Factors To Consider When Buying A Diamond; Carat Weight Is Just One Of Them.
While carat weight is an important factor to consider, there are several others to keep in mind. This includes cut, color, and even clarity. Cut refers to how the diamond is proportioned and aligned, and it even talks of the finish of a diamond.
It is in fact the only diamond value factor that is a result of human manipulation. Color, on the hand, refers to how white or colorless your diamond is. The more clear and white it is, the higher the price. And lastly, the clarity. The clarity in diamond rings refers to the lack of imperfections on the surface of the diamond and within.
All these factors, including carat weight, combined make a diamond what it is and must be given equal weightage before making a choice.
The Average Size For Engagement Rings
As mentioned earlier, carat weight is a crucial factor to consider as it determines the value of the ring itself. 1 carat (ct) diamond weighs 0.20 grams. While carat size can start from 0.25 ct, it can go up to 5.00 ct, too. However, today, the average size falls between 1 and 2 carats, where 1.5 is usually the most preferred size. Sometimes, even the place and culture can have an effect on what the average carat size is, in that particular place. For instance, in the USA, the national average is around one carat, whereas in the UK, it is 0.6 ct.
An Ideal Size That Is Usually Affordable
Diamonds are not only beautiful to look at, but at times, they make great investments. They have a high intrinsic value, are always in high demand and last forever, making them a must-have. However, they are also expensive, largely due to their carat weight and size. The average ideal carat size these days that make a ring affordable is anything below the 1.00-carat mark as they often make great deals.
If It’s Within Your Budget, Many People Like Large Stones 3 cts
Like we said above, if you’re on a budget, carats that are usually sized below 1.00 make great engagement rings. However, if you’re in the mood to splurge, and can afford to look for bigger diamonds, many people prefer to purchase a 3 carat diamond ring.
They are also rare and above average in size, making them sought-after pieces of stones. While they are on the more expensive side, factor in points such as clarity, cut and color before you make your purchase.
Typical Range For Diamond Engagement Rings
According to a recent survey conducted by The Knot, the average cost for diamond engagement rings is anywhere around $5,900. However, several of them reported that they spent $1000 or less on the perfect ring for their partner.
Consider Your Options Carefully And Remember That Even Rings With Small Diamonds Can Be Elegant And SparklyYes, diamond rings are expensive but they don’t have to be. There are plenty of affordable yet gorgeous rings that you could buy that will make your to-be spouse extremely happy. Be sure to draw a budget and look for rings within it. And while it may be hard to remember, keep in mind that you can find glistening, timeless and long-lasting rings within your size and budget.
Settings Can Make Smaller Diamonds Look Larger
Besides the 4Cs, another factor that has a huge impact on the appearance of your diamond ring is the ring setting. Ring setting refers to how the gemstones are placed on the ring and can entirely change the way your diamond ring looks. In fact, you can customize your ring setting, to help smaller diamonds appear bigger.
For instance, halo engagement ring settings drastically help to make your center diamond look bigger. In this type of setting, the center stone is surrounded by several gemstones, giving the illusion of a larger ring.
So before you choose the ideal engagement ring, be sure to keep all the points mentioned above in mind. Regardless of which ring you decide to go with (big or small), we’re sure that your spouse-to-be will absolutely love it.