What is the average carat for an engagement ring?

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“What is the average carat for an engagement ring”, along with “how much to spend on an engagement ring?” are the two most common questions when it comes to engagement ring shopping. The answer to these questions will set brides or grooms-to-be in a direction to what they ultimately purchase. But what is the average carat for an engagement ring?

A good way to answer this is to look at what is the most frequently requested size diamond. In Australia, it is easily the 1 carat diamond that is the most sought after diamond. There is a notion out there that a perfect 1 carat solitaire engagement ring is a classic choice, what every girl would want. For some it is, and others are not so fussed on the “classic” choice. Whether this trend is for you or not it does set the trend of what people initially look for in a diamond, ultimately steering them in the direction of what they end up getting.

If you are considering a larger sized diamond for your engagement ring, we recommend taking the time to look at all your options. With the demand for 1 carat to 1.5 carat and even 2 carat diamonds on the rise, it may take a little more time to find the perfect diamond, but it is well worth the wait. Be careful not to forgo on quality too much in the rush to buy the diamond. Always keep in mind that you want your ring to sparkle with brilliance.

How Many Carats Should be in an Engagement Ring?

There is no straightforward way to answer this question, particularly when looking at trends on a global scale. In Australia there is a focus on quality rather than size differing to America where it is often the case of bigger is better, therefore often compromising on the quality.

For this reason, it is often in Australia people will opt for a smaller diamond with a higher quality rather than a larger diamond which has obvious flaws. The average spend on an engagement ring is approximately $8000 – $12000 this would ultimately mean that the average size of a diamond will sit somewhere between the 3/4 carat to the 1 carat mark.

But as time goes on trends change, people are opting for coloured stones and alternatively shaped diamonds. Both these choices mean that you can get more bang for your buck than you would when purchasing a round brilliant diamond which demands a premium.

In some cultures, certain numbers are considered to bring good fortune. For example, in Chinese culture, the number ‘8’ is a lucky number and therefore having a diamond with the number 8, such as 0.88ct, is considered good fortune. It is therefore common practice in certain parts of the world to seek out a particular size diamond because of the numerological benefits it is believed to bring.

So, does carat size matter? It’s entirely personal, and your own choice as to what carat size works for you.

How Else Can You Enhance a Centre Stone?

If you want more sparkle you can also opt for side stones or a halo (or two). The choice of cut also has significant impact on the brilliance of the stone, perhaps even more so than the carat weight.

Ultimately, there is no right or wrong when it comes to what size diamond you should purchase. While in America, it is common place to see massive 2 carats sitting proudly on a certain finger, in Australia it is less common. Closer to home it is more likely you will see a closer-to-perfect smaller diamond featured in a classic engagement ring.

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