What is the average diamond size for an engagement ring?

Now, you could ask your relatives and friends who have bought an engagement ring. Or you could ask some strangers hoping that you would get an accurate number. But you don’t have to hope!

I actually asked someone who should really know and the answer is the following:

The average diamond size for an engagement ring in 2023 is 0.9 carat!

Yes, the average carat weight of an engagement ring diamond is 0.9ct!

How do I know?

Well, I asked someone who should know it. I mean who should really know it.

I asked: James Allen

James Allen is the second largest online diamond vendor and in my opinion it currently is the best. Only James Allen will let you view ALL of their diamonds in high definition 360° videos in up to 40x magnification!

Therefore, James Allen is the most convenient place place to look for eye clean diamonds within the SI1 and SI2 clarity range.

As James Allen is processing hundreds of transactions every single day it must be assumed that the 0.9ct average diamond size is very accurate.

By the way, if you want to see what a diamond with a certain carat size will actually look like you should definitely check out James Allen’s carat size simulator:

It will make you realize that the appearance of a diamond does not grow in direct proportion to the carat weight of the diamond.

I desribed this phenomenon in my article on carat weight and I think it is important to know that a diamond with 2ct will not appear twice as large as a diamond with 1ct.

What does the average carat weight mean for your own decision?

So what kind of impact should this knowledge about the average diamond for an engagement ring have on your very own decision?

To be really honest with you: It should make no difference to you!

A diamond engagement ring is a highly personal gift to your future wife and it mainly carries a symbolic meaning: It stands for her promise to marry you and will always remind you and her of it.

So, basically it does not make any difference whether the average diamond size is 0.5ct or 2ct. What really matters to her is what the engagement ring means to her! This will be influenced more by the proposal itself than by the carat weight of the diamond.

The secret to having your wife look at the engagement ring and think of you is not having a bigger diamond mounted onto the ring setting. It is the way you propose to her and surprise her that will make her think back to this life changing moment.

Therefore, when in doubt I would even go as far as to say that you should save money on carat weight and invest it in a better proposal!

At any rate, I don’t think that the average diamond size of an engagement ring should influence your decision about which diamond to buy in any way!

What is great about the average diamond size for an engagement ring?

Is there anything great about the average diamond size of 0.9ct for an engagement ring?

Yes, there is!

Having a look at the average diamond size I think we can all learn a lesson about getting the biggest bang for your buck!

Many people are actually very intent on getting a diamond with a carat weight of at least 1ct. They want to be able to say that their diamond has 1ct because it supposedly sounds so good.

However, diamond prices increase very sharply at the 1ct mark and in fact most diamonds are cut to to make it to the magical 1ct mark. You will find very many diamonds with 1ct or 1.01 ct but you will hardly find any diamonds with 0.98ct or .99ct! That is no coincidence and most diamond cutters will sacrifice the diamond cut to gain more carat weight.

Let’s have a look at a  price list taken from James Allen. I have chosen the three cheapest diamonds with at least 0.9ct weight, G color, VS1 clarity and an Excellent Cut grade. Then I have chosen the three cheapest diamonds with at least 1ct weight, the same G color, the same VS1 clarity and the same Excellent Cut grade.

Let’s have a look at the three cheapest diamonds beginning with 0.9ct:

And now let’s have a look at the three cheapest diamonds beginning with 1ct:

The difference is about $2000!

The additional carat weight from 0.9ct to 1ct or 1.01ct is only a mere 11% or 12 %. However, the price increase from $5000 to $7000 is 40%!

It is for this particular reason that you can make the greatest deals with diamonds at around 0.9ct or even more!

Now, I do be well aware that most people want to buy a diamond with at least one carat because the number appears to be smoother with a 1 instead of a 0 as the first number in carat weight. If you badly want to buy a diamond with at least one carat I absolutely think that you should go for it.

However, many people don’t even know that a diamond below one carat could be so much cheaper than a diamond with 1ct. Thus, I want you to bear this in mind when going for your next diamond shopping trip.

If you need any help in choosing the right diamond just leave me a comment or drop me a mail!