Average Diamond engagement ring size

Average Diamond Engagement Ring Size & How To Buy One

/ Jewelry News
What is the average diamond engagement ring size?
The price of a diamond engagement ring is determined by four factors: cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. Of the four, carat weight determines the price, assuming all the other Cs are equal. It is the tie-breaker, so to speak, when it comes to the value and cost of a stone.

Average Diamond Engagement Ring Size

A lot of engagement ring buyers are too focused on size. They think the bigger it is, the better. This mindset is fallacious for two reasons: First, the size of a diamond does not make it necessarily beautiful. Second, few buyers can possess a giant engagement ring like Liz Taylor’s. At 29.4 carats, it answers the question, what size engagement ring is impressive? Unfortunately, the rest can only confine themselves to the average diamond engagement ring size (shown below). 
Diamond engagement ring size chart
So before you go on a shopping spree, here are a few tips to set you on the right track. These can help you avoid being short-changed or ripped off.

Tips for Buying a Diamond Engagement Ring

Buying an engagement ring is not as simple as most people think. Of course, nothing can stop you from going into a jewelry store and looking around for rings that catch your fancy. This method is a hit-or-miss kind of thing at best. You may end up throwing hard-earned money on something that falls short of what an engagement ring should be. To avoid falling into such a trap, a simple GIA guide gives you an edge over those unaware. It also helps knowing the average diamond engagement ring size.

Know the 4Cs

The 4Cs are a GIA-generated set of standards of diamond quality. They stand for color, clarity, cut, and carat weight. They determine an engagement ring’s beauty and price to a considerable extent.

Color

Diamond colors are graded from D to Z, with D considered colorless, while Z has a light yellow or brown tint. This is important because diamonds in the colorless range are rare, hence expensive. On the other hand, those with yellow or brown paint may not look as attractive to your taste.

Clarity

Diamond clarity is graded from Flawless to Included. A perfectly flawless diamond is ultra rare. What you can find in the market have certain imperfections – inclusions (inside imperfection) or surface blemishes. Depending on the degree, they affect the price and the .ring’s overall appearance.

Of the 4Cs, cut is the most important because this will ultimately affect how well it interacts with light. Cut determines a diamond’s degree of brilliance, sparkle, and fire. This characteristic expresses a diamond’s proportions, symmetry, and polish.

Carat weight

This determines a diamond’s apparent size. Considering all things being equal, the greater the carat weight, the rarer the stone, hence the more expensive.

The average carat weight of rough diamonds is 0.9. On the other hand, the largest diamond ever found was the Cullinan Diamond which weighed an astonishing 3107 carats. Most diamond engagement ring sizes lie at the bottom of these two figures. So, is a 1.5 carat diamond considered big? Yes, it is, but not big enough to be eye-catching.

Know something about shapes and cuts

Shape refers to a diamond’s outline when viewed from the top. The most popular shape is the round. However, there are other fancy shapes like the marquise, pear, oval, rectangular, square, and heart.

Round brilliant-cut engagement ring

Cut refers to how a diamond’s facets are arranged. It determines how a diamond reflects light, brilliance, and sparkle. The cut style can be seen in various shapes – from round to oval to square and marquise. The most popular cut and shape is the combination of round brilliant cut, with 57 or 58 facets.

Examine under different light conditions

To get a full assessment of a diamond, view it under different light conditions such as daylight, fluorescent, and spotlight. They look different under other lighting conditions.

Most jewelers use spotlighting to make a diamond look more brilliant, dazzling, and fiery. But day-to-day conditions are different, so viewing them under normal conditions is best.

Note that fluorescent lighting makes a diamond look brighter, while incandescent light brings out a diamond’s fire.

Choose the right metal band

Engagement rings come in different metal bands, such as yellow and rose gold, white gold, and platinum. They have different characteristics, and their color can affect the appearance of an engagement ring.

For example:

Yellow gold

Yellow gold is classic, being used in jewelry for thousands of years. Gold in jewelry is not pure gold but an alloy to give it more strength. Yellow gold is either 14K, 14 parts gold, or 18K, 18 parts gold.

Jewelry with higher parts gold, 18K, or 18K has a richer color and is heavier but softer. It is more prone to dents and scratches. Of course, it is also more expensive.

However, note that a yellow gold engagement ring will not look as attractive with a colorless or near-colorless diamond.

Rose gold

A popular alternative to yellow gold is rose gold. This is nothing new, however. It was the favorite engagement ring metal for many years, especially in the Retro era (1933 to the 1950s).

Rose gold engagement ring

This metal is made by alloying gold with copper and silver, giving it a warm pinkish tone. This metal is best for near-colorless diamonds like G, H, I, and J.

White gold

White gold is made by alloying gold with nickel or palladium, then plated with rhodium. This metal suits colorless and near-colorless diamonds like D, E, and F.

Engagement rings with white gold metal bands are beautiful and long-lasting. However, they require regular maintenance and cleaning.

Platinum

Platinum is a slightly grayish-white metal that is highly durable and corrosion-resistant. It is soft in its pure state and hence needs to be alloyed with other metals (roughly 5%).
According to the U.S. FTC (Federal Trade Commission), jewelry containing at least 95% platinum should be marked with “Platinum.” It is generally more expensive than gold but more durable and hypoallergenic.

Choose the right setting

“Setting” is what holds the diamond in place. It also protects the stone from damage.
There are two general types of settings

Prong

This type of setting holds the diamond in place with four to six prongs. They can be rounded to make them look classy or rounded to give a ring a modern look. Four prongs give a diamond a square look and expose more areas of a diamond. At any rate, you can choose from many variations of the prong setting.

Bezel

A bezel setting protects the diamond from all sides. It is a thin metal strip pushed or hammered around the diamond to hold it in place. While it provides more protection, viewing the diamond from the sides is impossible. The advantage is that no prongs can snag on gloves, hair, or clothing.

Side stones

Side stones dress up an engagement ring; make it look bigger.
There are three popular engagement ring side-stone combinations. These are the following:

Three-Stones

As the name implies, a three-stone engagement ring has a center stone and two smaller stones flanking it on the ring band. A three-stone engagement ring, also called a trinity or trilogy ring, symbolizes friendship, love, fidelity, or past, present, and future. You can use birthstones on the sides to add a romantic flair to the ring.
Three-stone engagement ring

Halo setting

This kind of setting features several smaller diamonds surrounding the center stone. This arrangement can make the center stone look larger and add more sparkle to the ring. Most engagement rings have a single or double halo or more – depending on the ring design. Thus, this setting definitely impact the average diamond engagement ring size.

Cluster setting

If you want maximum sparkle to your ring yet affordable, get a cluster setting. A cluster setting involves smaller diamonds set in a way to create the illusion of a large center stone. In addition, the smaller diamonds can be arranged in countless unique designs. Your imagination is the limit.

Keep track of styles and trends

Like any personal item, jewelry flows just as much with the current styles and trends. You can get engagement rings of vintage style, modern, timeless vintage, modern, timeless, Bohemian, or romantic. Of course, all these are dictated by your style and values.

For example

Vintage and Modern Vintage 

Of late, vintage styles are making a comeback (they never left in the first place). Vintage styles involve scrollwork, mill graining, and engraving.

For example, the toi et moi (French for you and me), features two gemstones representing the couple coming together.

Toi et moi vintage engagement ring

This style was made famous by Napoleon, who gifted his girlfriend, Josephine, with a sapphire and diamond toi et moi engagement ring.

Heart rings

This engagement ring design has been popular since medieval times, yet never going out of style. Not only do they symbolize love, but they are also more affordable than round diamonds.

Bohemian rings

Bohemian style rings play around with different and unexpected gemstone shapes, settings, styles, and silhouettes, such as geometric cuts.

Custom rings

Should you want to be ultra-unique or make a statement, you can also have your engagement ring personalized. This way, you can have a one-of-a-kind memento to celebrate your special relationship.

Be sure of your ring size

Once you’ve chosen the right ring, try it on for size. This is done easily if your loved one is with you. But if intended as a surprise gift, you should find a way to know her ring finger size.

All jewelers have a ring sizer for you to try on. Take note that ring size varies from finger to finger.

You can easily take it back for resizing if it doesn’t fit.

Buy from a reliable jeweler

An engagement ring is a significant investment. Hence, buying it from a reliable jeweler would be best.

He must have undergone expert training in his trade, be open to questions, and can explain how to buy a diamond ring in clear, simple language.

This type of jewelry should possess credentials from a highly-recognized and internationally accredited program, such as those offered by the GIA and other accrediting bodies.

Insist on a diamond grading report

Ask for a grading report of your diamond purchase from an independent scientific laboratory like the GIA.

This grading report ensures that you know the identity and quality of your diamond. It tells you whether your diamond is natural or has received any treatment. In addition, this grading report helps an appraiser determine the diamond’s value should you decide to insure it.

Average Diamond Engagement Ring Size

So, what is the average diamond engagement ring size? In a survey of 5,000 respondents, it was observed that roughly half have an average carat size of 1.5. Of the other half, 25% use 2 carats and above, while the rest uses between 1 to 2 carats.
But here’s the caveat—when it comes to engagement ring beauty and appeal, size alone does not matter. Everything is still determined by the other 3Cs and the setting design, craftsmanship, and metal used.
So, does a 2 carat diamond look too big? Not only big but significant compared to the national average. The diamond is noticeable and eye-catching.
On the contrary, is a 1.25 carat diamond a good size? Considering that half of the survey respondents wear engagement rings of this size, yes, it is.
What’s the average engagement ring size by state? Not many are so hang-up on carat size. Hence, on the national level, the average carat size of engagement rings 2022 was 1.3 carats. One reason for this is that different states have different preferences. For example,
  • Maryland – 1.75 carats
  • Michigan – 1.69 carats
  • Illinois – 1.59 carats
  • Alaska – 1.49 carats
  • New York – 1.47 carats
  • Vermont – 1.03  carats

Related to this, the most favorite engagement rings metals are:

  • White gold (48%)
  • Yellow gold ( 16%)
  • Platinum (13%)
  • Rose gold (13%)

Unless you are attending a “who’s got the biggest engagement ring carat party,” diamond size may count. Otherwise, it does not determine a ring’s beauty, attractiveness, and price. Cut, shape, setting, design, and craftsmanship do. So if you are shopping for an engagement ring, put diamond size last in your criteria.