Shopping for an engagement ring is surely exciting. Who wouldn’t want to see endless rows of stunning rings! But more than fun, the prospect is daunting, with several questions popping up in your mind- ‘What size to go for?’ ‘What carat size is ideal for my hand’? ‘Will the engagement ring be comfortable for everyday wear’? Finally, how to pick an engagement ring that not only looks spectacular and beautiful but serves as a symbol of the relationship? Let us answer these questions and help you figure out the average carat-size for an engagement ring which makes the perfect cut for you and your partner.
Does Size Matter?
This may come as a surprise to many, but the carat size of an engagement ring changes radically with location and demography. For example, in the U.S, an average couple tends to stick to one-carat size engagement rings, in the U.K it is generally 0.6 carats, while in Europe it goes down to as small as 0.5 carats. At the end of the day, the average engagement ring carat weight comes down to the preferences and budget of the couple. Whether you choose a 1-carat diamond ring or wish to splurge on something well above 3 carats, your engagement ring will always be your special token of love.
Young couples in their twenties and early thirties settle for diamonds in the one and two-carat range, while older couples are attracted to higher-carat engagement rings. This is perhaps because couples in their 40s or above have full-fledged careers and have more room to splurge financially on engagement rings. To sum it up, there is no ideal diamond size for an engagement ring, as there are many influencing factors, such as location, financial status, and one’s personal preference in jewelry.
Want more bang for your buck? A great option is to choose a lab-grown engagement ring. Lab-grown diamonds and colored gems have the same optical, chemical and physical properties as their earth-mined counterparts. However, they’re easier on the pocket. So, you could get a lab-created diamond engagement ring in a higher carat weight at a lower price. However, the average carat size of a lab-grown diamond engagement ring will vary depending on individual style and budget preferences.
The average carat size of a lab-grown engagement ring also varies when it comes to colored gemstones but it is typically around the 1-carat mark. You can get colored gemstone rings starting from below 1 carat and going well over 3 carats. For a blue-tiful piece, choose a lab-created blue sapphire engagement ring as a symbol of your love. Pick the average carat size of your lab-grown blue sapphire engagement ring depending on your personal style and how much you’re looking to splurge. Want to flaunt the color of love aka red? Then, choose a lab-created ruby engagement ring. Again, the average carat size of a lab-grown ruby engagement ring totally depends on whether you like a smaller or larger rock on your finger. If green is your color, you can’t go wrong with a lab-created emerald engagement ring. The average carat size of a lab-grown emerald engagement ring can be based on budget and your preferred style. So, if you’ve been wondering how to determine the carat size of the gemstone for your ring, remember to consider your personal preferences before making a decision. There’s no right or wrong average carat size for an engagement ring because it totally depends on how small or large a stone you prefer, your ring style and the budget you have in mind.
Another way to get a sparkler without breaking the bank is to design your own engagement ring with Create With Angara. You can choose from natural and lab-grown gems, pick the ring setting and select the shank style, accent stones, metal and lots more. You get to wear your designer hat and get as creative as you like with your token of love.
Also Read: Can Diamonds Be Worn Every Day?
Understanding the 4 C’s
If we go back to basics, then it is imperative to understand the 4 C’s when picking an engagement ring. Whether it’s the simple round engagement rings or the more ornate diamond rings, the 4 C’s act like a map when narrowing it down to the perfect engagement ring. Besides, the 4 C’s grading system determines the stone’s quality and price.
What are the 4 C’s? Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat. Now, let’s take a look at each one in more detail.
1. Cut:
It is the only component that defines the natural influences while grading diamonds. The stone’s cut determines its brilliance and how it interacts with light rather than its shape or size. As the stone is faceted, proportioned, and polished, the GIA system grades them under the following ranking:
- Excellent
- Very good
- Good
- Fair
- Poor
It is obvious that one would stick to diamonds with an “excellent” or “very good” ranking because regardless of the actual size, we all want a stone that reflects the light most brilliantly.
2. Color:
A diamond’s color ranges from D to Z. D is considered as colorless and the most expensive, while Z denotes a light yellowish hue. Though the shape is a significant influencer for a spot on the color scale, a brilliant round diamond without any yellowish hue is another factor that influences most buyers. That said, you can consider the grade ‘J’ for round, emerald, and Asscher cuts without noticeable color. On the contrary, go for a D-G grade for oval, cushion, radiant, pear, heart, princess, and marquise for color absence.
3. Clarity:
This “C” defines several imperfections in the stone, not visible to the unaided eye. The GIA scale for clarity ranges from “FL” (flawless) to “I” (included). It is the essential measure to determine how clear the diamond appears visually and the primary attraction of a diamond engagement ring. Striking a balance between color and clarity is vital and helps in determining the perfect price for an engagement ring.
4. Carat:
Did you know that the word carat was derived from the word ‘carob’, because in ancient times carob seeds were used as a reference to determine the weight of a diamond! One cannot decide on the diamond’s value based on carat alone, as other factors also play into this overall evaluation, but if we have to define this in one sentence, then a carat is a size or measurement of weight, where one carat equals to 200 milligrams. What is interesting is that two diamonds of equal carat weights could be entirely different, because, as we mentioned earlier, there are other factors involved. So, while the carat part of a diamond is considered important, it is not the ONLY point that you need to take into consideration while buying an engagement ring. The same is also true when you consider the gemstone carat size for a colored gem. The cut, color and clarity of the gemstone also influence its overall appearance.
Have you been confused about the difference between karat vs. carat? Let’s clear the air for you. Carat weight refers to the size of a diamond or colored gemstone. However, the term ‘karat’ refers to the purity of gold. It tells you the proportion of gold used in an alloy.
Also Read: 3 Month Salary Rule for Engagement Rings
Online Shopping for an Engagement Ring:
Shopping online for an engagement ring may be unconventional, but it is a whole lot of fun. In fact, in the coming years, most jewelers see this as an upward trend that will only get bigger and better with time. Many jewelers online make the buying purchase a tempting one with great deals and offers, but how do you decide on which one offers value for money? Here is a tip:
Authenticity
Choosing the right online jeweler is a bit of a gamble, and with time being a pressing concern, most couples ask this one question- ‘How long does it take for an engagement ring to arrive?’ But while this may be a matter of concern, there are many other things an online jeweler should have, some of which are:
- Ethical sourcing and production techniques
- In-house design and development
- A vertically integrated business model aiming for rapid product development and shipping
- Products are subjected to rigorous audits to ensure unmatched quality
Conclusion
When picking out an engagement ring, the carat is just one of the many things you need to consider before making the final purchase. If you have chosen to get your engagement ring customized online, then be sure to schedule several video call sessions where you can see close-up shots of the diamond and view it from different angles to see how well it sparkles. At Angara, it’s all about the details, and we leave no stone unturned (pun intended) to make sure your engagement ring is one of a kind! And if you’re looking for more tips on scoring that dream ring, do check out our engagement ring buying guide that is loaded with useful information and will serve as a ready reckoner as you begin shopping for your token of love.
FAQ
The average carat size for an engagement ring is 1.18, but the size depends on one’s budget and personal preference in design and style.
Engagement ring promotions and sales take place throughout the year, so you get plenty of time to buy an engagement ring, provided you plan properly. While Black Friday and Cyber Monday drive the most sales, plenty of couples shop for engagement rings during February and March as there is less rush and jewelers can devote more time to helping you decide.
