“It's not about the size of the diamond....but the size of the HEART that gave the diamond.”

Almost half of brides (47%) would likely agree with this sentiment as they say that the size of their diamond is just “somewhat important,” according to a Wedding Wire survey. After all, why does the size of your diamond engagement ring matter? It should be more about the lifelong commitment to love and cherish than how large the diamond is, right? 

But how many times have you seen someone show off their new jewelry with a perfect engagement ring selfie only to read comments that ask the inevitable question, “how big is it?”This leaves grooms in a predicament, worrying if the diamond they choose for their loved one will adequately show his lifelong commitment. But how big should a diamond engagement ring be? The jewelers at Ben Garelick have outlined a few guidelines to help. 

What Is the Average Size of a Diamond In An Engagement Ring?

Most jewelers like Ben Garelick Jewelers have diamond engagement rings in all sizes, cuts and styles. It’s best to work with a professional jeweler to discuss your bride’s personality and to help select a size and style that best suits her individuality. But how do you know if the diamond is big enough?

Our research shows that the average diamond size varies greatly across the world coming in smaller in the east with Japan at 0.3 carat and China at .05 carat to Europe with .06 carat and, finally to the U.S. boasting the largest average size of 0.9 carat.

Another independent survey conducted by CreditDonkey across several major cities in the U.S. showed the average size of the diamond varied as follows:

While this may give you some idea of the size to look for, we don’t recommend allowing the “average” size to interfere with your ring budget. Some rings are even bigger!

How Big Is The Diamond In A Luxury Ring?

While you may be able to purchase an engagement ring that is a tiny bit less than a carat for the best value, some grooms go all out when it comes to choosing that ring. Jay-Z reportedly hired designer Lorraine Schwartz to design an 18-carat diamond ring for longtime love Beyonce.

Obviously, that is quite extravagant, but Ben Garelick does sell many engagement rings that would fall into the category of “luxury.” These stunning sparklers weigh, on average, 1.5 carats alone, with the total combined weight for all the stones totaling more than 2 carats.  

You an also find celebrity-sized diamonds up to 3-carats in our extensive collection of diamond engagement rings. At Ben Garelick Jewelers, we ensure that all of our diamonds have a cut that gives your ring maximum sparkle.

How Does A Carat Translate to Inches?

While we use “carat” to talk about the size of your diamond, it is actually a measurement of the weight of the stone. So how big, literally, is a one or two-carat diamond?

The actual dimensions can vary depending on the cut, but as a general rule, a one-carat diamond is about the size of the head of a pencil eraser, or .256 inches. A two-carat diamond is about .32 inches.

This is about the size of the side of four nickels stacked. Keep in mind that you can reduce the carat size (and cost) without losing the same percentage of size.

Big or Small Diamonds - Ben Garelick Has Them All!

In the end, what is considered a “big” diamond is really in the eyes of the beholder. Some of our brides look at a .5 carat and marvel and its huge size. Others don’t light up until they see us pull out the tray of two-carat halo diamonds.

No matter what size engagement ring you can afford to purchase, Ben Garelick’s professional jewelers will help you choose a one-of-of-a-kind ring that is perfect for her personality and style. Y

ou can try on rings in our showroom in Buffalo, NY, or chat with our pros online where you’ll find a huge selection. We treat all of our customers like family and would love to help you find the perfectly sized ring that will symbolize your future together, without starting that future in debt.

Shop our collection of large center engagement rings today!

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Peter Manka Jr. - Owner at Ben Garelick

Peter Manka Jr. is a passionate member of the family business who joined Ben Garelick in the early 2000s after working in product licensing for Sesame Workshop & The Jim Henson Company for many years. He obtained a degree in diamonds and jewelry from the prestigious Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in order to sharpen his jewelry skills. He takes great pride in providing exceptional customer service and helping clients find the perfect piece of jewelry.