Purchasing an engagement ring is an exciting experience, but it is not without its challenges. With all of the inquiries that come with shopping for an engagement ring, one question always seems to stand out: how big should the diamond be?
Regarding engagement rings, the idea that bigger is better is expected. The wonderful thing about diamonds is that size is only one factor. The depth and form of the diamond cut also influence how large the stone appears. Modern engagement rings come in a range of cuts, highlighting a diamond's radiance while others emphasise the stone's perceived size.
The fact that diamonds are sold by weight rather than size is one of the first things you learn about them. Carats are important!
Of course, most one-carat round diamonds will be roughly the same size. However, deviations will occur based on proportions. Ideal cut diamonds are smaller in diameter than less-brilliant "spread" diamonds because they are cut for sparkle rather than height (intentionally cut a bit shallower so they can appear wider.)
What may surprise you, though, is that fancy shapes have different optimal proportions than circles. Because each form has a slightly varying depth, the diameter also varies. A swimming pool 10 feet deep will be smaller in width than a collection with the same water volume but only 8 feet deep.
This means that some fancy forms appear more significant than a round brilliant of the same weight, while others seem more petite. A two-carat match is approximately 8.1mm in diameter. A two-carat Asscher cut is around 7mm square, so it does not appear as huge. A two-carat oval, on the other hand, measures approximately 10.5x7mm. Most people believe it seems to be significantly more significant than the different two shapes.
Why? The overall lesser depth of the oval cut is exacerbated by our natural tendency to believe that taller objects are larger. This optical trick makes the elongated silhouettes of many elegant designs appear significantly more significant than their surface area.
Which Cut Of Diamond Looks The Biggest?
Find out which diamond cut shapes are the most abundant in our complete guide.
Oval-Cut Diamonds
The round-cut diamond may be the most common, but the oval cut gives the illusion of a larger stone. You should know what you're giving up before you choose the shape that appears to be the largest. However, unlike the perfectly round brilliant, the faceting on an extended shape is not optimal.
It also means they won't have that brilliant shine of a round. Unless this is a dealbreaker for you (any shape will look beautiful), they recommend going with an elongated stone if you want to maximise your diamond budget.
Diamonds cut in an oval shape are very similar to round diamonds. Like with round diamonds, their brilliance can make them seem larger than they are. But there's another perk to oval-cut diamonds: their length makes them look bigger.
Oval stones in engagement rings do more than merely give the illusion of depth. By virtue of the diamond's elongated shape, your future wife's ring finger will look longer and slimmer. This gem is perfect for single-stone rings.
Princess-Cut Diamonds
Princess cut diamonds are another popular engagement ring option. The princess cut is a more trendy and edgy style. The princess cut, as opposed to the round amount, is square. This cut, however, offers the most brilliance and sparkle of any non-round amount.
This is due to the princess cut's nearly perfect facet layout. However, another important consideration when contemplating a princess cut is that it has corners, which makes the stone prone to chipping depending on the durability of the setting you choose.
Round Cut Diamond
The round cut has been a popular form for engagement rings for many years. This diamond is formed like a circle and has 58 facets; each is meant to reflect light and give the diamond its fire or sparkle. Round cut diamonds are typically cut shallower than other stones. This contributes to their intense flash, making the diamond appear more prominent. A round-cut diamond of any size can make a great impression!
Emerald-Cut Diamond
Compared to the other diamond shapes, the emerald cut is particularly distinctive. A more "hall of mirrors" rather than a "twinkling star" effect is achieved by the "stair-step" cut of the facets. Women who prefer a more classic style would appreciate this stone.
Emerald cut diamonds are known for their impressive size thanks to their rectangular form and massive table. Also, rings of this kind tend to be more affordable, so they're an excellent option for those shopping for a stunning piece of jewellery without breaking the bank.
Marquise-Cut Diamond
Although the marquise cut has been around since the reign of King Louis XV, it is by no means an everyday hairstyle. This diamond's cut is reminiscent of a football, with its thin, elongated shape and pointed ends.
Like other reductions on our list, the marquise lengthens the stone and minimises the size of your finger. It's a beautiful diamond that stands out even more when set in a solitaire, but it also complements other stones well.
Which One Is Bigger?
Determining whether an oval or princess cut is more significant can be challenging. It all depends on the other stones you decide to use as accents and the setting you go with. When compared side by side, an oval cut diamond will appear more extensive than a princess cut or a round cut diamond.
Remember that oval-cut diamonds are often less expensive than princess-cut diamonds since they are less common and have a less ideal facet arrangement. If you're looking for the most excellent and cost-effective form for your centre stone, an oval stone may be the way to go.
FAQs About Diamond Ring
The marquise cut is another type of diamond cut that gives the illusion of a larger stone due to the increased surface area created by its elongated form. However, this cut is not as popular now as it was in the past. In our professional judgement, the marquise-cut diamond appears to be the largest of all the other shapes.
Expert Tips On How To Make An Engagement Ring Look Bigger
Well, if We told you there was a way to make your engagement ring look bigger? There are a lot of possibilities out there for the bling genius who wants an engagement ring as extravagant as Beyoncé's.
Regardless of your financial standing, you may make your diamond look larger than it is without forking out the extra cash associated with heavier carat weight. We've chosen tried-and-true methods, including meticulously picking cuts, shapes, and settings and opting for narrower bands with fewer prongs. The partner at Kwiat Diamonds and the director of design at Tacori Jewellery share fourteen ideas for making an engagement ring special.
Get the Best Cut You Can
The cut of a diamond determines how much light it reflects. The amount is defined by the angles and facets it has. The Gemological Institute of America recognises four levels of cut quality: excellent, very good, sound, and fair. When a diamond is beautifully cut, light is reflected more effectively, making the diamond appear more prominent.
Kwiat recommends that your diamond be extremely carefully cut. If a diamond is engraved with the proper proportions and facets, it will not only sparkle and shine brightly, but it will also appear larger. The stone's carat weight will be vividly displayed, adding to its aesthetic appeal.
So, how do you tell if a diamond has been properly cut? When shopping for a round diamond, Kwiat recommends selecting diamonds with a GIA cut grade of "excellent." Because there is no common cut grade, a competent gemologist should examine all other shapes. Finally, belief in yourself: you can tell if a diamond is beautifully cut by its brilliance and shine.
Round Diamonds Give The Illusion Of A Larger Stone
What is the largest looking diamond shape? "In appearance, round diamonds look larger for their carat weight than many other cuts. The size of the circle is proportional to its weight because the cut is not as deep.
Oblong, Elongated Diamond Cuts Also Make Your Stone Look Larger
Since ovals are elongated and occupy so much space on the ring finger, they give the illusion of being larger. The emerald or marquise cut, both oblong, gives the impression of a larger stone. The total carat weight of these three shapes may be less than what is seen.
Avoid Cushion Cut Diamonds
Size perception is affected, making some forms appear larger than they are. Since cushion-shaped diamonds are cut so deeply, much of their weight is hidden beneath the surface. This is one of the most expensive diamond cuts in price per carat.
Choose Slender Prongs That Allow The Jewel To Take Centre Stage
You can draw more attention to your centre stone by making something else less noticeable. Try to find a place that has smaller prongs. More of the diamond's facet will be visible without the prongs in the way.
Opt For Less Prongs
You should not only look for rings with thin prongs but also ones with a minimal number of prongs. For instance, four, five, or six prongs are commonly used to secure round-cut diamonds. Minimising the number of prongs around your diamond will help it look bigger.
Choose A Bright White Metal Band
The colourless nature of the diamond will be reflected brilliantly by the pure white metal of a platinum setting, which will allow the diamond to display its full brightness and lustre. This gives the appearance of a much larger stone than it is. It's the same reason that interior designers put up a wall of mirrors in a cramped space: to make the area appear larger than it is.
Be Open To Colored Stones
Gems with coloured inclusions are more vivid and give the impression of greater depth than standard diamonds. Choose lighter shades of pink, yellow, green, or blue to deceive the eye into thinking that the object is more prominent than it is.
Be Flexible With Diamond’s Colour And Clarity
Every diamond receives a rating for both its colour and its clarity. If the dimensions are most important to you, you can get the most out of your ring budget by selecting a larger carat stone of lower quality in terms of clarity or colour. The diamond will retain its brilliant shine.
Choose A Thin, Delicate Band
A thin and delicate ring will give the impression that the stone or stones are more substantial than they are. Look for a band that, in addition to having a narrow width, gradually narrows as it gets closer to the band's centre. This particular band style is known as a pinched shank and will draw attention to the centrepiece stone.
Look For A Halo Or Cluster Settings
The setting is everything, so pick wisely. For instance, a halo setting features a larger centre stone surrounded by a halo of smaller pavé stones. Increase the carat weight of your ring without boosting the price as much as you would with a single diamond of the same total carat weight by choosing a halo setting. In cluster settings, several stones (of the same size) are placed closely together, providing a substantial total carat weight at a more affordable cost.
Or Choose a Three-Stone Setting With Smaller Side Stones
If you are considering three-stone sets, remember that the side stones should be on the smaller side so they won't steal the spotlight from the centrepiece stone.
Keep Your Engagement Ring On One Hand And Your Wedding Band In Another
You may find that your wedding band overshadows your smaller engagement ring. The wedding band can remain on the left hand, but the engagement ring should be worn on the right hand's finger. It's not the norm, but it makes a statement and guarantees that your engagement ring will be the centre of attention.
Get Your Ring Cleaned Regularly
Maintaining a clean and polished diamond will bring forth its maximum brilliance. A diamond's brilliance and appeal determine how majestic it seems. However, if it's unclean, it won't have the same impact and will appear flat and diminished instead. Having a jeweller properly clean your ring once every six months is recommended.
The ring may be washed at home whenever it looks dirty or worn. Soak the ring in a solution of a few drops of dish soap and 30 minutes of warm water to clean it at home. After that, give a ring a gentle brush with a soft toothbrush and a quick rinsing. You may let it air or dry it with a gentle cloth (avoid paper towels that could scratch the ring). Lotion and makeup will be washed away in this way.
Average Carat Size For An Engagement Ring
The size of engagement rings is sometimes blown out of proportion in media such as movies and publications, yet the standard size of an engagement ring is one carat. A middle ground isn't always the optimal choice. While undoubtedly fine 1-carat diamonds are available, if you're on a tight budget and want a diamond that fits the norm, you may have to make some sacrifices in terms of colour and clarity.
How Big Of An Engagement Ring Should I Buy?
It would be best if you considered your partner's preferences as well as your own when selecting an engagement ring with diamonds. The pressure to achieve a standard of one carat or more is excessive. Select a stone of 1 carat or more if it matches your budget and reflects your character. However, if you are on a tighter budget, a smaller diamond with higher clarity and a setting designed to highlight its beauty might have just as significant an effect.
In other words, you want to spend as little as possible on an engagement ring without sacrificing style, even if that means it is less than the standard carat.
Conclusion
The depth and form of the diamond cut also influence how large the stone appears. Oval-Cut Diamonds The round-cut diamond may be the most common, but the oval cut gives the illusion of a larger stone.
This gives the appearance of a much larger stone than it is. It's not the norm, but it makes a statement and guarantees that your engagement ring will be the centre of attention. The pressure to achieve a standard of one carat or more is excessive.