national average is about .38 i hear.

If that is just a half carat, .5, I don't find that to be large at all.  Maybe I've been reading too many celebrity engagement ring stories?

It's pending on your status.  Most couples today have anywhere from a 1ct to a 1.5ct.  FYI, most have the round brilliant also.

i agree, .5 doesn't sound big at all.

.5 is the average size. it's like saying the average median income in the us is 50k. it's true but sounds too small.

 I think its best to go with a local average.  Yes, nationally its really is between .3 and .5, but that might not be what you see on the hands around you.  Another thing to consider, the average ring finger size is 6...

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How does one find out what is the local average.  I'm from New Jersey and I don't have any idea what our local average is or how to find it out.  I don't want to ask a Jeweler because I think they will increase the average, so where should I go?

 Its important to remember that a diamond has four "value components" aka the 4 Cs.  So before assuming a jeweler won't be honest, remember that he knows that a 3 carat and a 1.5 carat could make him the same $$ depending on the cut, clarity, and color of the diamond.   So try and ask. 

As for a database of local averages, one doesn't really exist.  A rule of thumb when purchasing an engagement ring - spend about 2-3 months wages.  So if you take the median income of your neighbors, multiply that by about 2 to 3 times, and there you have the magic dollar amount.  Now, whether a guy decides to by a .5ct, D-color, VS1, Ideal Round Brilliant, or a 2-ct, V-colored, Flawed diamond w/ his $$$ is up to him...does that help?

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Wow, 2 to 3 months salary? Even in this economy?  I always thought it was 1 to 2 months. Most of the women I work with aren't married or engaged and my friends diamond ranges from a 1ct to 1.5ct.  I was just a little curious, but you're right a lot of information is factor in, to each its own.  Thanks for info :)

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I would advise you not to use "average size" at all when looking or an engagement diamond.  Just because it is average does not mean it works for anyone in particular.  For example, you may live in a community where there is a group of young people with limited budget who tend to gravitate toward the smallest size diamond (say .25 carat), thinking one day they may trade up, but not today.  Another, smaller group of people in the same community are doing a little better, and tend to gravitate toward the classic 1 carat size.  If, in this community, about 70% are buying the smallest size and 30% are buying the classic size, the community average will be .50 ct (even though no one in the community actually bought that size).

Enough with the math.  The best reason not to buy average size, is that there is no reason to believe that your needs equate to what the average of other peoples needs equate to.  It might be an interesting bit of trivia, or provide some reasurance to know where you stand in relation to the "average", but in the end you are going to buy what works for you.

If you would like to see what diamonds of various sizes look like on a ring, search for a diamond here.  Just ignore the cut, clarity, color and other options, and select the shape and size you are interested in.  Click on any you find that match and you will be taken to a page where you can see that size/shape diamond on a solitaire band.  Look at a .25 carat, a .50, 1.00, 1.50, 2.00 for comparison and you will start to get a sense of what you like.

Also, read this overview of diamond carat weight, including a carat size chart.  This page shows how carat weight relates to size (they are really two different things).  There is also a print out that allows you to see the actual size of every shape of diamond in all the key carat weights.  Very helpful for comparison.

p.s. In my experience, couples tend to fall into groups.  .25 carat is really the minimum engagement diamond size (or else, no center diamond at all), then the next huddle is around .50, then 1.00, 1.50, 2.00, 3.00.  Couples tend to cluster around one of these sizes.  You might find yourself falling into one as well.

Alan Ricks,
Diamond Consultant
Lumera Diamonds: Loose Diamonds | Certified Diamonds

 I have been reading all the advice you have been getting and find it very interesting.  As a consumer based society we tend to hyper focus on the materialism of the item and not the true intent.  Your ring should reflect what works for you, regardless of what is going on around you.  I think that many others have brought up good points about the economy.  I know girls walking around with $5k hand bags and huge "rocks", that are financed to the hilt and barely able to buy food.  Relationships and money issues often don't mix.  Be creative with your ring, but don't let what is going on around you pressure you into a situation that either leaves you unhappy or stressed out.  Remember that carat weight DOES NOT necessarily mean your stone will LOOK BIGGER!  In some cases a well cut diamond will weigh less, but appear bigger.  Also remember the bargains are in the less ideal carat weights and middle of the road grading mostly, let me explain.  Diamonds are basically desired in larger carat sizes, colorless and flawless.  So, they tend to increase dramatically at distinct steps .25 (1/4) carat, .50 (1/2) carat, .75 (3/4) carat 1.00 carat etc.  If you find a diamond that is 97 points or .97 carats then it could save you a bundle off of an equally graded diamond that is 1.00 carat.  3 points is barely noticeable to the naked eye.  Certain cuts allow you to take advantage of lower graded diamonds; for example brilliants are sometimes strategically cut to help mask inclusions, appearing beautiful, but saving money.   Fancy colored diamonds, in some cases, "hide" inclusions better because of color and light refraction.  Remember all diamonds are graded under 10x magnification.  I can almost guarantee you will never be at a dinner party or social gathering where someone is going to pull out a loop and analyze your stone.  Often times it is the design of the ring that catches people eye initially, so a moderately graded stone will suffice beautifully. A setting can often make a stone appear bigger with a halo and pave for example.   I would prefer a gorgeous ring that is moderately priced and use the unspent difference to buy a house :O)

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According to How To Buy Diamond Engagement Rings at 



http://www.howtodothings.com/.../...ings--part-i.html 



The average size diamond given in the United States for engagement is .38ct.



Hope this Helps,

Andy

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Engagement Rings|Wedding Rings|Rings Circle of New York

Size isn't everything when it comes down to it. It also doesn't need to be a diamond. Rings about a carat are perfect on most women's hands, not to large and classy. It's nice to have money left over for that honeymoon as well. The modern rules of buying a diamond ring have been set in to motion by the diamond industry within the 20th century — the idea of a certain percentage of your salary needing to be spent to show your wealth. You shouldn't feel pressured in to getting something beyond your means just because of the social norm.

EXAMPLE RINGS UNDER A CARAT

 

Adel Chefrid main stone:0.80ct D color SI1. 
Sarah Graham's 18k white gold 15cttw center diamond. 
.SHOLDT DESIGN- Fern Finish Solitaire 91ct GSI2 diamond.

Brief history of the Diamond ring

Happy searching

Tesia Alexandra of venaamoris Dedicated to unique or one of a kind wedding and engagement rings

I agree with goth bride,  If that is just a half carat, .5, I don't find that to be large at all.

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sorry, i just found out, the average size for a diamond engagement ring is approximately one-third of a carat.

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