Diamond Settings

Diamond Setting	Carat Weight	Clarity	Color	Cut
Bridal Rings	0.40-1.50ct (or as much as budget allows)	SI2-VS2	F-H	Very Good-Ideal (GIA grade 2 or better)
Fashion Rings	As much as budget allows	I1-SI1	G-J	Good (GIA grade 3)
Stud Earrings	0.33cttw + (or as much as budget allows)	I1-SI1	F-H	Good - Very Good (GIA grade 2 or 3)
Multi-Diamond Earrings	As much as budget allows	I1-SI1	G-J	Good (GIA grade 3)
Tennis Bracelets	1.50cttw + (or as much as budget allows)	SI2-VS1	G-J	Good - Very Good (GIA grade 2 or 3)
Note: Combinations chosen above are for best value and to get the most sparkle/shine for your money. Those with higher budgets can choose better clarity and color ranges.

Summary of the above:

1. When getting rings or items that people will look at up close at, you want to have a minimum clarity of SI2 so that no inclusions are visible to the naked eye. For engagement rings, carat weight is not everything. Pick a diamond with a higher color and cut.

2. With jewelry that contains many smaller diamonds such as tennis bracelets, fashion rings, etc, try to get larger stones. Clarity will not make much of a difference if all the stones are 1 or 2 pointers (0.01-0.02ct) each. For example, try to get a tennis bracelets with 4 or 5 pointers. You will appreciate the diamonds much more being larger than you would if they were clearer or whiter. Also for smaller diamonds (under 0.10ct), there is no such thing as "ideal cut," anyone that tells you otherwise is not really being honest. There is good and premium (very good) but it is a great deal of work to make ideal cut diamonds in such a small size and is almost never done.

3. For items you will not look closely at, such as diamond stud earrings, don't worry too much about clarity or color. Be concerned more with carat size and cut, because they will make the diamonds appear larger and shine more. No one will pull out a 10x loupe up to your ear to see the inclusions! I1 clarity stones are actually not that bad for this type of application if it lets you get bigger stones. For those that must have better quality diamonds, be prepared to spend more.