Carat size is a major consideration when buying an engagement ring. Couples often find themselves wading through lots of myths and misconceptions during their search for the ideal carat weight. Thankfully, the process doesn’t need to be so stressful. We created this guide to help answer your questions and clear up your concerns regarding engagement ring carat sizes.
Average Engagement Ring Size
A Note on Diamond Quality
Diamond Carat Size Chart: Visualizing Actual Carat Size
How Much Does Carat Size Matter?
Consider Custom Engagement Rings
Average Engagement Ring Size
The average engagement ring size depends on a number of factors, including age and location. In the United States, the national average carat size for an engagement ring is a little over 1 carat (1.08, or 1.2 when rounded). Interestingly, about half of all engagement ring purchases include a stone between 1 and 2 carats.
However, average carat size shifts among buyers of different ages. Shoppers in their twenties and early thirties tend to buy smaller diamonds, while older shoppers spend more on larger center stones. This is likely because older engagement ring buyers tend to be further along in their careers, making higher salaries and with more substantial savings set aside for the purchase.
Location isn’t just important in real estate–it impacts diamond sizes, too! While the average engagement ring carat size in the United States is just over 1 carat, the typical bride-to-be in the United Kingdom can expect a 0.6 carat diamond. Taking all European countries into account, the continent-wide average is 0.5 carats. This means that the average American diamond engagement ring is over twice as large as its European counterpart.
A Note on Diamond Quality
When evaluating diamond quality, four scales are used to assess color, cut, clarity, and carat size. These scales are commonly referred to as the "4 Cs," and it is essential to consider all of them when purchasing a diamond. In a previous discussion, we explored carat weight, so now let's delve into the remaining three "Cs" and their impact on a diamond's appearance.
Diamond color pertains to the tint of a diamond, with the finest quality diamonds being completely colorless. The grading of diamond color is done using a letter scale. The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) assigns the highest grade of "D" to diamonds with no color and the lowest grade of "Z" to diamonds with noticeable coloration.
On the other hand, diamond clarity evaluates the presence of "inclusions" or flaws within the diamond. Inclusions are non-diamond materials that become trapped within the diamond during its formation, including tiny particles of other minerals. While color and clarity contribute to a diamond's overall appearance, they have less impact on its perceived size.
Among the factors determining a diamond's visual size, diamond cut is perhaps the most crucial, alongside carat size. Cut refers to the symmetry and proportions of the diamond, specifically the facets (flat faces) of the gemstone. Well-cut facets reflect a significant amount of light, creating a dazzling and brilliant sparkle. An "excellent" or "ideal" cut diamond will appear larger than its actual size due to its radiant qualities. Consequently, if you wish to maximize the visual impact relative to carat size, it might be wise to consider a smaller diamond with excellent cut quality rather than a larger diamond with a less impressive cut.
Diamond Carat Size Chart: Visualizing Actual Carat Size
1/2 carat diamond ring
Here’s visual proof that a ½ carat diamond ring can pack a lot of sparkle into a smaller stone. There are many reasons one might opt for a ½ carat diamond ring over something larger, including budget or aesthetic preference. If you’d like to enhance the appearance of your ½ carat center diamond, consider adding smaller accent diamonds or a diamond halo. You can also increase the perceived size of your stone by choosing an elongated shape such as an emerald or oval, and by selecting a well-cut diamond.
1 carat diamond ring
Here is how the national average carat size looks on a typical finger. The appeal of a 1 carat diamond ring is undeniable. It balances eye-catching sparkle with a certain understated elegance. 1 carat diamond rings come in a wide range of prices based on style as well as diamond cut, color and clarity. So, if you have a healthy budget for your ring, you’ll have plenty of choices to explore. Pay special attention to the cut of the stone if you’re interested in making it look larger.
2 carat diamond ring
2 carats represents the high end of Americans’ typical diamond purchase range. You can see a noticeable size difference between the 2 carat diamond ring and the 1 carat diamond ring. However, they’re both gorgeous in their own right. Ultimately, regardless of its shape,, a 2 carat diamond ring will look bigger than most other diamonds. If you’re still hoping to maximize its brilliance, again, it’s important to select a well-cut diamond.
3 carat diamond ring
There’s no denying how stunning a 3 carat diamond ring is. As you can see, this is a substantial sized center stone–nobody’s going to miss this sparkler on your finger. When shopping for a diamond of this size, it’s important to consider which settings will provide maximum comfort and functionality. Larger diamonds are more likely to snag or bump on other objects when they are not properly set, and you shouldn’t have to sacrifice carat size for comfort or convenience.
How Much Does Carat Size Matter?
It used to be that engagement ring shoppers were expected to adhere to certain rules. Perhaps the best known of these is the ‘3 months salary rule,’ which suggests saving up the equivalent of 3 months of your salary to spend on the ring. Another unofficial rule was that couples should never shop for the ring together, and that the ring should be a surprise until the moment of the proposal.
Though these were never official practices, they became cultural norms. Now, though, more and more couples are bucking tradition. At the end of the day, the most important thing is to select an engagement ring that is a treasured symbol of your love. Our advice is to set a healthy budget and stick with it. If you have an idea of what your partner would like in terms of style and carat size, then there’s nothing wrong with keeping the ring a surprise! However, if you’re uncertain, it’s completely fine to discuss the ring with your partner beforehand. Nowadays, many couples even shop for their engagement rings together.
If you’re having trouble finding an engagement ring that meets your partner’s specifications, or if you’d like to have a one-of-a-kind ring created for your one-of-a-kind love, consider getting a custom engagement ring.
Custom Engagement Ring FAQ
What is a custom engagement ring?
Custom engagement rings are engagement rings designed collaboratively by you and a custom jeweler. They are one-of-a-kind rings based on your personal design ideas and preferences. The process typically begins with a design consultation, in which you and a custom jeweler meet to discuss your ideas. You can bring a fully realized sketch or a handful of ideas you’d like to put together into something more cohesive. A good custom jeweler will help guide you through the process. The custom jewelry designer will then hand-make your design using professional equipment, with the materials (i.e. metals, diamonds and gemstones) you’ve requested.
How long does a custom engagement ring take? (depending on style and when you request it, but expect around 1 month)
This can depend on many things, including the style of your ring, the materials you’d like to use (some are harder to come by than others) and even the time of year at which you request it (jewelers may be inundated with custom requests before major gift-giving holidays like Christmas). However, most experienced custom jewelers have a typical time frame for their designs. At Cline Jewelers, for instance, we can typically complete a custom project within a month. Still, we recommend speaking with your local custom jeweler well in advance of when you plan to propose, just to be safe.
How much does a custom engagement ring cost?
Again, it depends. The price for a custom engagement ring can vary widely based on the ring’s style and the materials used. If you select a diamond for your center stone (which we strongly recommend, as the vast majority of other gemstones are too soft to safely wear every day), then the diamond’s carat size will have a major impact on the ring’s price. Consult with a trusted local jeweler to determine how much your custom design will cost.
Cline Jewelers in Edmonds, Washington is Your Engagement Ring Headquarters
Regardless of which carat size you decide to go for, selecting an engagement ring is a major life decision and a huge step in your journey as a couple. You deserve to work with a jeweler who takes the process seriously, listens to your concerns, and helps you find the perfect ring to suit both your style and your budget. Here at Cline Jewelers, whether you decide to purchase a ready-made ring or craft a custom engagement ring with us, we’ll be by your side every step of the way. You can visit us in person as your local jewelry store in Edmonds, Washington, or check out our selection of diamond engagement rings online.