When it comes to diamond everyone knows about the 4 C’s including cut, color, clarity and carat. There is one specific topic that combines the factors of Carat and Cut into one, and this what we refer to as the Spread on a diamond. Carat weight measures just the actual weight of the diamond. For example, 2 diamonds can weigh 1 carat total. Now what changes the spread on the diamond is the total depth combined with certain angles within the diamond.  Just because two diamonds weigh exactly the same does not mean that face up they will look similar.  We can liken this comparison to two people who are 150 pounds; one of those people are 5’5″ tall and the other is 6′ tall. Although their actual weigh is the same, the way it is distributed varies greatly causing them to looking nothing alike. The same thing applies to diamonds- we have to leave carat weight in a separate category from cut because it does not accurately indicate the face up look. In general to gauge the spread / how large a diamond actually appears we recommend looking at the measurements. In this post we will explore some “spready” diamonds from our inventory and how our selection differs from regular diamonds of the same weight.

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1.4 carat Oval Cut Diamond

First up we have this gorgeous oval cut diamond. It is a 1.4 carat H color VVS2 clarity. Aside from the fine quality, the measurements here are 9.06mm x 6.56 mm. Not only is this diamond spready for a 1.4 carat, it is even large face-up for a 1.5 carat. Usually 1.5 carat ovals will measure about 8.7mm in length. The extra push to 9.06 really makes a difference in the finished look and it still stays within an acceptable length to width ratio. Last thing to note is the depth % is still high enough to give it a high level of sparkle.  Caution: sometimes a diamond with a great spread will be too shallow, causing it to look dull and lifeless so take that into consideration on your diamond search.

1.5 carat Round Cut Diamond

Next up is this beautiful 1.5 carat I color SI1 clarity round brilliant. Just because a round brilliant diamond is Excellent cut does not mean it has the best face up measurements; some can have depth percentages approaching 64% which will make the diamond pale in comparison to a more well rounded stone. This round cut measures 7.44mm in diameter, whereas the average 1.5 carat round will measure 7.3mm or slightly less. The difference can be  little subtle however it does look bigger and it is better for you to get those extra millimeters!

1.5 carat Radiant Cut Diamond

Radiant cut diamonds are excellent diamond choices for a trendy and edgy look. In general radiant cuts look quite large especially if you opt for one that is elongated. Take a look at this 1.5 carat H color SI1 clarity diamond measuring 7.75×5.81mm. The average 1.5 carat elongated radiant will have a 7.3mm length meaning this is .45mm above average!  As with the elongated oval, it is important to pay attention to the width measurement here which makes it fall within a desirable 1.33:1 ratio.

1.5 carat Cushion Cut Diamond

Cushion cut diamonds are always a popular choice however they are a notorious diamond shape for holding a lot of weight at the bottom! However this problem can be easily avoided by opting a perfectly cut cushion such as a cushion brilliant style diamond. These well cut cushions offer amazing face up dimensions and don’t hide extra carat weight in the crown and depth of the diamond. Not only does that result in a large face up appearance, but it also gives off a clear distinct sparkle similar to that of a round.  Check out this 1.5 carat J VVS1 cushion measuring 7.26×6.38mm. The average 1.5 carat elongated cushion is 6.8mm long making this spready cushion choice an amazing option for size, cut, and clarity!  As an added bonus, these ideally cut cushions hide color very well making this “J” face-up like an “H” or “I” color.

1.5 Carat Princess Cut Diamond

Princess cut diamonds are another diamond shape famous for hiding a lot of weight at the bottom of the diamond resulting in a small face up appearance. Here we have a 1.5 carat H VS1 princess measuring 6.65×6.5 mm. The average 1.5 carat princess will have measurements around 6.2mm across.  Always take note of the width measurements as well, because for a properly proportioned princess cut it should be as close to a perfect square as possible.  Here it is a 1.02:1 ratio which to the eye will look like a an exact square.

Note: None of these diamonds are what we call shallow diamonds. A shallow diamond is one with a very low depth percentage that would be as flat as a pancake. These diamonds can be dangerously thin while giving a big face up look however we do not recommend anyone getting a diamond that slim! All of the above diamonds we mentioned have appropriate depth numbers without losing out on the safety or cut quality of the diamond. 

At Lauren B we want you to have the absolute best bang for your buck diamond! You should not get a 1.5 carat just because it weighs 1.5 carat! Opt for a 1.5 carat with big face up measurements or better yet, you can get something even slightly smaller with bigger measurements to save yourself some money as well. Opting for a spready diamond at a lower carat can allow you to spend some extra money toward the color or clarity of the diamond if you wish to increase in those quality areas.