Diamond Carat - What that means.

Carat is a unit of weight. It tells you how heavy a diamond is -- how large the diamond really is.

Most women who compare engagement rings would use size as the basis of comparison.

"My fiance got me a three carat diamond ring," says one.

"You lucky girl, he really loves you."
"He's so generous. He'll take great care of you."


Or

"Mine got me one that is 0.3 carats." says another

"Cheapskate."

Okay, not all women are that bad, but some are. Especially in circles where appearances really matter. The keeping up with the Joneses syndrome.

Frankly speaking, a woman who loves you accepts what you can afford. Maybe you'd want to spend more on the honeymoon, or save for the future together. She might not seem to mind it then, but later down the road, how might she feel.

As a rule of a thumb, 0.5 carat for the diamond on the engagement ring is the smallest regarded acceptable by most such women. 1 carat for the better off. 3 carats for the well off. For those dating a movie star, they'd expect the largest rock money can buy.

Visually, the size difference between a 0.49 carat diamond and a 0.5 carat diamond can't be discerned. Yet the price increase between 0.49 carats and 0.5 carats is much larger than the usual 0.1 carat increment. You could get her a 0.49 carat diamond instead.

She can pass of a 0.49 carat diamond as a 0.5 carat.
"Oh, it is about 0.5 carats."

Likewise, the price jump from a 0.95 carat and a 1 carat diamond is steep.

You can save substantially if you go for a diamond about 0.05 to 0.1 carat smaller than what she might expect.

Take a look at diamond prices and compare the prices yourself.