Is It Better to Have A Bigger Diamond Or Better Quality?

If you’ve ever shopped for a diamond, you must have found yourself wondering the same thing everyone else does: Should I go for a big diamond engagement ring in Ontario, or is it smarter to choose better quality? It’s a classic dilemma, and honestly, there isn’t one “perfect” answer. It all comes down to what you love looking at, what matters most to you, and of course, what fits your budget comfortably. At AAA Diamonds, we see this come up all the time, so here’s some guidance to help you decide.

What Makes a Diamond “Good” in a Big Diamond Engagement Ring in Ontario? 

Before deciding between size and quality, you must understand the main things that affect how a diamond looks. These are called the 4 Cs, AKA Carat, Cut, Colour, and Clarity. They’re the ingredients that decide the sparkle, shine, and overall look of the diamond.

Carat

This is the diamond’s weight, which also affects how big it looks. Bigger carat = bigger price tag. It doesn’t automatically mean “better,” but it does make a diamond look more noticeable on the hand.

Cut

Cut is basically how well the diamond has been shaped. An excellent cut gives you that blinding sparkle everyone loves. However, if a diamond is poorly cut? Even a large stone can look dull or flat. So, basically, cut matters a lot.

Colour

Diamonds are graded from D (clear and icy) all the way to Z (warmer or slightly tinted). Most people love the colourless look, so stones with less colour cost more.

Clarity

This tells you how many tiny marks or natural flaws are inside or on the surface of the diamond. Many of these flaws can’t even be seen without magnification. So sometimes you can go lower in clarity without it affecting the look at all.

Now that you know the basics, how do you balance these things to get the best diamond for you?

Size vs. quality

Carat vs Cut

If your main goal is sparkle, cut beats size every single time. A beautifully cut diamond can look brighter and even bigger compared to a larger diamond with a weaker cut. So if you want the diamond to catch the most light, focusing on the cut is your best option.

Carat vs Colour

Colour is something you can usually see with your eyes, especially in bigger diamonds, because they show more surface. If you’re comparing two stones, the slightly smaller one with better colour might actually look more elegant and fresh.

What’s more? Some metal colours help disguise warmth. For example, yellow gold can make a slightly tinted diamond look whiter. This means that the setting matters as well.

Carat vs Clarity

This is where many people save a bit of money without losing beauty. When you look at a diamond with your eyes alone, most tiny imperfections don’t even show. So if you choose a stone with small marks that you can’t see without a magnifying glass, it’ll look just as clean as a higher-clarity diamond, but at a much lower price. With that freedom, you can put more of your budget into size, colour, or cut and still end up with a radiant stone.

People Also Ask

What is more important, diamond size or quality?

It really depends on what matters to you. Some people care more about sparkle and clarity, while others want a stone that looks bigger on the hand.

Are bigger diamonds better?

Not always. A large diamond can look impressive, but if the cut or clarity isn’t great, it won’t shine the way you expect. A well-made, smaller stone can sometimes outshine a bigger one.

Does a bigger diamond mean more expensive?

Most of the time, yes. As carat weight goes up, the price jumps too. However, quality also affects cost, so two diamonds of the same size can still have very different prices.

Which diamond size is best?

There’s no universal “best” size. It comes down to your style, your hand shape, and what you’re comfortable spending. We always encourage customers to try a few sizes to see what looks the most natural on them.

What Do You Actually Prefer?

At the end of the day, the “right” diamond is the one that feels the most like you when you see it. Everyone has their own taste, so there’s no need to follow trends or choose something just because you think you’re “supposed to.”

Here are a few helpful things you can consider:

Your Style

Some people gravitate toward a big diamond engagement ring in Ontario, while others are drawn to something softer, sparkly, and more understated. Both are beautiful in their own way, and your setting plays a big part in the final look too. For example:

• A halo makes the centre stone look bigger.

• A thin band can result in the diamond looking larger.

• A vintage-style setting can pair beautifully with a tinted or warm-toned diamond.

Your Hand Size

Hand proportions affect how a diamond appears in person. A very large stone can feel a bit too much on smaller fingers, while a tiny stone might look a little lost on broader hands. It all comes down to what looks balanced and comfortable to you when you try it on.

Your Budget

Budget undoubtedly plays a big role in your choices, so it helps to be clear about what you’d like to spend before comparing options. Once you know your range, it’ll be much easier to check out different combinations of size and quality without feeling overwhelmed.

A lot of people end up adjusting one or two of the “Cs” to get a diamond that looks great without stretching their budget too far. Just remember that you don’t need perfection in every category. It’s more about finding a balanced mix that gives you the look you want while staying practical.

Tip to make choosing easier: If there’s one thing worth focusing on first, it’s cut. A great cut makes everything else look better. It can even make a smaller diamond look more impressive than a bigger one with a weaker cut. After that, choose the colour you love and then play around with clarity and carat to see what fits your budget comfortably.

Conclusion 

If you feel torn between a big diamond engagement ring in Ontario and quality, you’re definitely not alone. The good news is that at AAA Diamonds, we have a perfect diamond for every style, every preference, and every budget. You just need to find the one that feels right when you see it!

Explore our collection now.

FAQs

Do higher-quality diamonds sparkle more?

Yes, they usually do. A great cut increases the shine, which is why we always remind customers to pay attention to it.

Is it okay to choose a lower clarity grade?

It’s totally fine. If the marks aren’t visible to the eye, you’re not giving up anything visual. 

Can the setting make a diamond look bigger?

Absolutely. Styles like halos, thin bands, and hidden halos create extra shine and make the centre stone look larger without increasing carat weight.