Of all the things to consider when buying a diamond, choosing an appropriate carat size is probably the most important. It’s important not only because it will dictate how much a diamond ring costs, but because it is the one identifying factor that most people will use to judge the ring. People who really know diamonds will ask the other questions and take the ring for its beauty, but most laymen will ask the question, “How big is it?” That’s alright, though. Choosing a diamond ring shouldn’t be a hassle. It should be a lot of fun, so looking at all of the options is certainly essential.

Carat weight is the most important factor in determining how much a diamond costs. Because diamonds are inherently rare in the earth, their price is dictated by size. One carat diamonds, though rare, are not nearly as rare as a two carat stone. For every five one carat stones mined, there is only one two carat stone mined. Given this knowledge, folks are actually getting a pretty good deal on those highly priced two carat stones.

Not every person wants or needs a huge diamond ring, though. Sometimes, less is more. When professional basketball star Kobe Bryant cheated on his wife in 2005, he tried to buy her forgiveness with a two carat rock that looked like Alcatraz. Most women would simply take a good looking one and a half carat stone over something that looks gaudy. This is where it gets tricky, though. Men who are looking to propose will want to get a little bit of information out of their woman to figure out what she wants.

The thing that most often dictates the size of a ring is the budget that a person is working with. Given the major commitment that goes into buying and giving a diamond ring, most folks have to save for a number of months or even years before purchasing a stone. It’s important not to settle for something less than the best, though. For incredibly gorgeous stones, prices run pretty high. A half carat diamond is valued at around $4,000 and a .75 carat stone is around $7,000.

The most common carat weight for diamond engagement rings is around 1.25 carats or 1.5 carats. At this size, the woman will carry a good size stone that doesn’t make her hand drop like a rock. Instead, this size is classy and impressive without being overly gaudy. For a quality stone in this size, expect to pay about $15,000, though.

Selecting a diamond is a truly personal experience that includes many factors. Though price considerations are the primary reason why a person chooses one size stone over another, prospective buyers should be careful not to let the wallet guide their choice completely. Not all diamonds are created equally and just because a stone is bigger does not necessarily make it better. Sometimes, the smaller and clearer diamonds are actually worth a little bit more money in the long run.