Ask many future brides, and you will find that they’ve already picked out the parameters of their dream engagement ring.
And while the style of the ring and the cut of the stone may differ significantly from person to person, one constant you are sure to encounter is that almost every bride wants a giant diamond. Often, they want as big a diamond as they can get.
The reason for this preference is not far fetched. One of the primary factors behind the allure of diamonds is their shine—the amount of brilliance and fire they produce, and this effect is often directly proportional to the size of the stone.
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In most cases, the stone’s size will often be the largest contributor to the extent of a diamond’s brilliance.
However, other parameters like the presence of inclusions, the clarity of the stone, and the cut’s quality can also be critical in influencing the type and amount of brilliance and fire a diamond gives off.
With the average center stone size for engagement rings in the U.S. measuring between 1-1.5 carats, a 2-carat diamond is just the right size to make a statement without going overboard price-wise.
However, if you are not a gem head, it may be challenging for you to put the finger on how big a 2-carat diamond is and the practicality of its size for daily-use jewelry. No worries, we have got you covered with all the info you need.
What is a 2 Carat Diamond
If you are new to the world of buying jewelry, all this talk about “carats” may get confusing quickly. However, it helps a lot when you learn that the present-day carat is a standard metric measure, equivalent to 200 milligrams in weight.
Hence, a 2-carat diamond is any stone that has a total weight of 400 milligrams (0.4 grams.)
However, when buyers consider diamonds by carats, they are typically less concerned about the stone’s weight and are more focused on its size: dimensions and physical footprint.
Here, things get a little iffy, as depending on the cut of the diamond, the result’s physical profile can vary considerably even amongst stones of the same carat weight.
How Large is a 2 Carat Diamond
An easy way to estimate how big a 2 carat stone will look is to assume an expanse twice as large as you get with a 1-carat diamond.
However, in reality, this maxim will replicate precisely, as the exact surface area of any diamond depends significantly on the cut parameters of the stone, including the cut style and the depth of the crystal.
On average, you should expect a gemstone surface area that is between 48mm2 and 95mm2.
A stone this big typically covers at least a third of the horizontal length of your finger. You can expect a 2-carat diamond ring to provide ample finger coverage and decent visibility for close range with such proportions.
However, if you want something that can turn heads from across the room, you may want to opt for something slightly bigger.
Nevertheless, even among 2-carat diamonds, not all cuts are created equal. Hence, the broad surface area range of 48mm2 and 95mm2. Depending on the cut you pick, you can end up with a gemstone that looks significantly smaller or bigger than the average 2-carat diamond.
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The cut’s quality can also affect the stone’s ability to handle color and light, a factor that can significantly impact the diamond’s perceived size when you view it from top-down.
Cut-to-size ratio
After setting the diamond, the cut becomes a key determinant of how large it looks. Since you can only view one side of the diamond when it sits in a jewelry setting, diamond cuts that minimize depth and favor flatness will typically appear bigger.
Hence, for this tabletop view, cuts like marquise and pear-shaped will give off the illusion of being grander than an oval or princess cut stone of the same carat size.
Here’s an illustration:
One comparison that knocks this point home is between the top surface area of a marquise cut 2-carat diamond, which measures 13.08 by 6.54mm, while a princess cut stone comes in at only 6.94 by 6.94mm.
| Diamond Cut | Table Surface Dimensions |
| Princess | 6.94 by 6.94mm |
| Asscher | 7.07 by 7.0mm |
| Radiant | 7.28 by 7.28mm |
| Cushion | 7.34 by 7.34mm |
| Emerald | 8.42 by 6.24mm |
| Round Brilliant | 8.19 by 8.19mm |
| Heart-shaped | 8.27 by 8.27mm |
| Pear-shaped | 11.4 by 6.87mm |
| Marquise | 13.08 by 6.54mm |
| Trillion | 9.75 by 9.75mm |
Is a 2-Carat Stone too Big?
Most people won’t find a 2-carat diamond too big. A 2-carat diamond brings a surface area that is exactly or less than double what you get with a 1-carat stone, and this should be hard to handle for most people.
Consequently, it is no surprise that the 2-carat diamond is one of the most requested options on the market, second only to 1-carat and 1.5-carat cuts.
Here, you get a gemstone that brings more surface area over the tiny 1-carat option without going overboard in both magnitude and price. What’s not to like?
