Whether you’re in the market for a modest diamond or a whopper of an engagement ring to dwarf Mariah Carey’s bling, it’s always a good idea to be able to visualize what different sized engagement rings may look like on your hand.

The folks at Erstwhile Jewelry gave us the ultimate guide to a round cut old European carat size from .5 carats up to just about 2.5 carats – because these are the most frequently requested diamond sizes.

Photo: Erstwhile Jewelry

The setting of a diamond can drastically alter how big a diamond looks and these classic prong settings give a more realistic reference.

Women with smaller hands often feel that they can’t wear larger carat sizes and tend to gravitate towards smaller rocks. Once you actually try a bigger size on, most women see that they can wear a 1.5 to 2.5 carat sized diamond and not look too bulky.

If your ring finger is slightly bigger and you want to make your diamond look larger you can always add a halo of tiny diamonds or clusters on either side to create the illusion of a bigger stone.

Whichever way you go it’s always good to try before you buy.

Are you trying to decide how many carats you want in your engagement ring but need a real-life reference? Brigitte & Janine at Infacet Jewellers are the ideal team to guide you through the process. Make an appointment by contacting +27 82 878 4949 or pop them an email at janine@infacet.co.za or brigitte@infacet.co.za.

What do you think is the ideal size diamond for an engagement ring? Tell us in the comments below.