What is really more important? Something you can feel or something you can see? The phrase “first impression counts” make sense here. When you look at a diamond ring, would you first notice the weight or size? Of course, it is the physical size! There’s no point bringing a weighing machine around to make a point that you just bought a 2carat diamond if it merely looks like a 1carat.

Hence, although the difference in prices due to the weight of the diamond becomes more and more repulsive as you go up the scale, do take the effort to notice its diameter (the characteristics that determines how you perceive the diamond’s size).

 As there are many different grades of cut, it results in a varying range of diameters available for a given cut. Do note that although there is direct relationship between the diameter and weight of the diamond, let us focus on the varying diameters for a given carat. For example, a 1.00 carat diamond can have a diameter that varies from 5.6mm to 6.6 mm. Hence, from this point of view, 0.9 carat can effectively have the same diameter as a 1.00 carat. But as mentioned, choosing a wider table (results from a larger diameter) will sacrifice or compromise the amount of brilliance or shine (how to choose bigger looking diamond). In this case, you have to juggle between the size, brilliance and cost.

A tip here is by working within the ideal table to width ratio as mentioned in our tutorial section: diamond shape.

See also tutorial on diamond carat.