StoneAlgo team

Guides to buying and selling diamonds from the StoneAlgo team.

• SI2 Clarity Diamonds: How to Find an Eye Clean SI2

  SI2 is the 8th of GIA's 11 clarity grades. Eye clean SI2 diamonds exist but take work to find. Use these 6 checks to spot a good one.

  16th November 2023

• Where to Buy a Custom Engagement Ring: We Tested 13 Jewelers

  We asked 13 online jewelers to quote the same custom engagement ring. Compare their setting quotes, diamond picks, cut scores and delivery times.

  18th October 2023

• Diamond Fluorescence: Good or Bad? Grades, Looks and Price

  What diamond fluorescence is, what the GIA grades from None to Very Strong mean, when fluorescence is good or bad, and how much it changes the price of each color grade.

  3rd June 2023

• D Color Diamonds: Is the Top Grade Worth It?

  D is the highest color grade on the GIA scale. See how D compares with E and F, what a 1 carat D cost in November 2026, and when the premium is worth paying.

  31st May 2023

• E Color Diamonds: Are They Worth It Over F?

  E is the second highest color grade on the GIA scale. See how E compares with D and F, what a 1 carat E cost in November 2026, and when F saves you money.

  31st May 2023

• F Color Diamonds: Is the Lowest Colorless Grade Enough?

  F is the lowest colorless grade on the GIA scale. Compare F with E and G, see 1 carat prices from November 2026, and find out when F is worth it.

  31st May 2023

• G Color Diamonds: Are They White Enough?

  G is the top near colorless grade on the GIA scale. See how G compares with F and H, what a 1 carat G cost in November 2026, and whether it looks white enough.

  31st May 2023

• H Color Diamonds: Are They Worth It?

  H is the second near colorless grade on the GIA scale. See how H compares with G and I, what a 1 carat H cost in November 2026, and when H is worth it.

  31st May 2023

• I Color Diamonds: Good or Bad?

  I is the third near colorless grade on the GIA scale. See whether I color is good or bad, how it compares with H and J, and what a 1 carat I cost in November 2026.

  31st May 2023

• J Color Diamonds: Good or Bad?

  J is the last near colorless grade on the GIA scale. See when J looks white, how it compares with I and K, and what a 1 carat J cost in November 2026.

  31st May 2023

• K Color Diamonds: Do They Look Yellow?

  K is the first faint grade on the GIA scale. See when a K looks yellow, how it compares with I and J, and what a 1 carat K cost in November 2026.

  31st May 2023

• Lab Grown vs Natural Diamonds: Price and Value Compared

  Lab grown and natural diamonds are the same material. Compare their prices by carat in November 2026, resale value, grading reports, how to tell them apart, and which one fits you.

  15th March 2023

• Where to Sell a Diamond Online: The Best Places Compared

  Where to sell a diamond for the most money. Local and online options, how to sell step by step, and what happened when we tried to sell the same diamond on 12 websites.

  19th January 2023

• Heart Shaped Diamond Guide: Proportions, Color and Price

  How to choose a heart shaped diamond: symmetry, proportions, the most popular color and clarity grades, settings and what heart cut diamonds cost.

  10th August 2022

• Marquise Diamond Guide: Ideal Ratio, Depth and Price

  What a marquise diamond is, the ideal ratio, table and depth, how to protect the points, and what a marquise costs compared with a round.

  14th July 2022

• Radiant Cut Diamond Guide: Best Ratio and Proportions

  The best length to width ratio, table and depth for a radiant cut diamond, how it compares with an emerald cut, and what radiants cost.

  12th July 2022

• Princess Cut Diamond Guide: Ideal Depth, Table and Ratio

  The ideal length to width ratio, table and depth for a princess cut diamond, how it compares with other square shapes, and what it costs.

  8th July 2022

• Emerald Cut Diamond Guide: Ideal Table, Depth and Ratio

  The ideal table, depth and length to width ratio for an emerald cut diamond, the best color and clarity, and what emerald cuts cost.

  28th June 2022

• Pear Cut Diamond Guide: Ideal Ratio, Table and Depth

  The ideal length to width ratio, table and depth for a pear cut diamond, how to avoid a dark bow tie, the best settings and what pears cost.

  28th June 2022

• Oval Cut Diamond Guide: Best Ratio, Table and Depth

  The best length to width ratio, table and depth for an oval cut diamond, how to avoid a dark bow tie, and what ovals cost.

  23rd June 2022

• Diamond Size Chart: Carat to MM for Every Shape

  A 1 carat round diamond averages 6.4 mm across. See carat to mm sizes for 10 diamond shapes from 0.3 to 5 carats, and why cut changes the look.

  21st June 2022

• VS1 Clarity Diamonds: What VS1 Means and Is It Worth It?

  VS1 is the 5th of GIA's 11 clarity grades and almost always eye clean. See how VS1 compares to VVS2 and VS2, and how to pick a good VS1 diamond.

  9th May 2022

• GIA Certificates: How to Read a GIA Report and What to Avoid

  A GIA certificate holds a lot of information. Here is how to read each of the 8 sections of a GIA diamond grading report, how to verify it, and which details to avoid.

  11th April 2022

• VS2 Clarity Diamonds: What VS2 Means and Is It Eye Clean?

  VS2 is the 6th of GIA's 11 clarity grades and the grade we suggest you start with. Learn when VS2 is eye clean and how to check one for free.

  11th April 2022

• 1.5 Carat Diamond Rings: Size on Hand, Grades and Settings

  How big a 1.5 carat diamond ring looks on a hand, which color, clarity and cut to choose, and which setting suits it. Live prices are one click away.

  8th March 2022

• 1 Carat Round Diamond Rings: Size on Hand, Grades and Styles

  How big a 1 carat round diamond ring looks on a hand, which color, clarity and cut to choose, and how solitaire, halo and three stone styles compare.

  8th March 2022

• 2.5 Carat Diamond Rings: How Big They Look and What to Buy

  How big a 2.5 carat diamond ring looks on a hand, which color and clarity grades to choose, and which setting suits it. Live prices are one click away.

  8th March 2022

• 2 Carat Diamond Rings: Size on Hand, Grades and Settings

  How big a 2 carat diamond looks on a hand, which color, clarity and cut to choose, and which ring setting suits it. Live prices are one click away.

  8th March 2022

• 3 Carat Diamond Rings: Size on Hand, Color and Settings

  How big a 3 carat diamond ring looks on a hand, which color, clarity and cut to choose, and which setting suits it. Live prices are one click away.

  8th March 2022

• SI1 vs VS2 Diamonds: Which Clarity Grade Should You Buy?

  SI1 and VS2 sit side by side on GIA's 11-grade clarity scale. See which is eye clean more often, the real price gap, and which one to buy.

  8th March 2022

• Diamond Stud Earrings Buying Guide: How to Choose a Pair

  How to choose diamond stud earrings in 6 steps, with a size chart, live prices per carat, and the best color and clarity grades for earrings.

  16th February 2022

• Princess Cut Diamond Size Chart: Carat to MM

  A 1 carat princess cut diamond averages 5.5 mm per side. See princess cut sizes in mm from 0.3 to 5 carats, plus tips to find one that looks big.

  7th February 2022

• Diamond Cut: What the Grades Mean and Which to Buy

  What diamond cut means, the five GIA cut grades and their limits, how cut is judged for fancy shapes, what StoneAlgo's cut score adds, and how much cut changes the price.

  7th February 2022

• VVS1 Diamonds: What VVS1 Clarity Means and Is It Worth It?

  VVS1 means very, very slightly included 1, the 3rd best of GIA's 11 clarity grades. See how VVS1 compares to IF and VVS2, and when it is worth it.

  7th February 2022

• Is It Cheaper to Buy a Diamond and Setting Separately?

  Buying the diamond and setting separately lets you check the exact diamond's grades, cut and price. See 5 checks, and when a premade ring makes sense.

  31st January 2022

• SI1 Clarity Diamonds: What SI1 Means and Is It Eye Clean?

  SI1 is the 7th of GIA's 11 clarity grades. Some SI1 diamonds are eye clean and some are not. Learn how to tell them apart before you buy.

  28th January 2022

• Diamond Depth and Table: What the Percentages Mean

  What diamond table and depth percentages mean, how they change face-up size and sparkle, the GIA limits for each round cut grade, and where to find ranges for fancy shapes.

  28th January 2022

• Heart Shaped Diamond Size Chart: Carat to MM

  A 1 carat heart shaped diamond averages 6.4 mm across. See heart sizes in mm from 0.3 to 5 carats, plus tips to find one that looks big.

  28th January 2022

• How to Use StoneAlgo to Find and Price a Diamond

  How to use StoneAlgo's tools to search over 2 million diamonds, check a GIA or IGI report number, estimate a fair price and compare diamonds.

  28th January 2022

• IF Clarity Diamonds: What Internally Flawless Means

  IF (internally flawless) is the 2nd highest of GIA's 11 clarity grades. Learn what IF means, how it compares to FL and VVS1, and if it is worth it.

  28th January 2022

• How to Save Money on Your Diamond Engagement Ring

  10 ways to pay less for an engagement ring that looks just as good, plus what to know about sales tax on engagement rings bought online.

  28th January 2022

• How Much Should You Spend on an Engagement Ring?

  Set an engagement ring budget you can pay in cash, and see what it buys from 0.5 to 3 carats at live natural and lab grown diamond prices.

  28th January 2022

• Asscher Cut Diamond Size Chart: Carat to MM

  A 1 carat asscher cut diamond averages 5.4 mm per side. See asscher cut sizes in mm from 0.3 to 5 carats, plus tips to find one that looks big.

  28th January 2022

• Radiant Cut Diamond Size Chart: Carat to MM

  A 1 carat radiant cut diamond averages 5.7 mm across. See radiant cut sizes in mm from 0.3 to 5 carats, plus tips to find one that looks big.

  28th January 2022

• Recycled Diamonds vs New Diamonds: What Buyers Should Know

  Recycled diamonds are natural diamonds sold again after a past owner. Compare them with new and lab grown diamonds on price, grading and impact.

  28th January 2022

• Round Cut Diamond Guide: Ideal Proportions and Grades

  How to pick a round cut diamond: the ideal table, depth and angles, plus the color and clarity grades with the best value.

  28th January 2022

• Flawless Diamonds: What FL Clarity Means and Is It Worth It?

  A flawless (FL) diamond shows no inclusions or blemishes at 10x magnification. See how FL compares to IF and VVS1, and when the top grade pays off.

  28th January 2022

• VVS2 Diamonds: What VVS2 Clarity Means and Is It Worth It?

  VVS2 is the 4th of GIA's 11 clarity grades, between VVS1 and VS1. Learn what VVS2 means, if it is eye clean, and when its price makes sense.

  28th January 2022

• Pear Diamond Size Chart: Carat to MM

  A 1 carat pear shaped diamond averages 7.1 mm across. See pear sizes in mm from 0.3 to 5 carats, plus tips to find one that looks big.

  28th January 2022

• Diamond Clarity Chart: All 11 Grades Explained

  See all 11 GIA diamond clarity grades in one chart, from FL to I3. Learn how to read clarity on a report and which grade gives the best value.

  28th January 2022

• Eye Clean Diamonds: What They Are and How to Find One

  An eye clean diamond shows no inclusions to the naked eye. See which of GIA's 11 clarity grades are eye clean and 5 red flags to avoid when you shop.

  28th January 2022

• What Is Visual Carat Weight?

  Visual carat weight is StoneAlgo's measure of how big a diamond looks from above, compared with the average diamond of its shape.

  28th January 2022

• Cushion Cut Diamond Guide: Types and Ideal Proportions

  The types of cushion cut diamond, the ideal table, depth and ratio, and the color and clarity that give the best value.

  28th January 2022

• Oval Diamond Size Chart: Carat to MM Measurements

  A 1 carat oval diamond averages 6.7 mm across. See oval sizes in mm from 0.3 to 5 carats, plus tips to find one that looks big.

  28th January 2022

• Emerald Cut Diamond Size Chart: Carat to MM

  A 1 carat emerald cut diamond averages 5.7 mm across. See emerald cut sizes in mm from 0.3 to 5 carats, plus tips to find one that looks big.

  28th January 2022

• Diamond Cut Score: How It Works

  StoneAlgo's cut score rates how well a round diamond is cut for sparkle on a 10 point scale. Here is what each score means, how we built it, and how to check a diamond's score.

  28th January 2022

• Cushion Cut Diamond Size Chart: Carat to MM

  A 1 carat cushion cut diamond averages 5.8 mm across. See cushion sizes in mm from 0.3 to 5 carats, plus tips to find one that looks big.

  28th January 2022

• Diamond Color Chart: The GIA D to Z Color Scale Explained

  Diamond color is graded from D to Z. See the GIA color chart, what each grade from D to K looks like, and which color grade gives the best value for a ring.

  27th January 2022

• Diamond Carat Size: How Big Each Carat Looks and Costs

  A carat is a unit of weight. See how big each carat size looks on a hand, a carat size chart in millimeters, and why diamond prices rise much faster than size.

  27th January 2022

• 4 Carat Diamond Rings: Size on Hand, Grades and Settings

  How big a 4 carat diamond ring looks on a hand, which color and clarity grades to pick, and how to choose a setting. Live prices are one click away.

  24th January 2022

• Marquise Diamond Size Chart: Carat to MM

  A 1 carat marquise diamond averages 7.7 mm across. See marquise sizes in mm from 0.3 to 5 carats, plus tips to find one that looks big.

  12th January 2022