What size diamond for a size 5 finger?

By HeyGema™ · Updated

In short

On a size 5 finger, a classic look is a round diamond of 0.39 to 1.31 carat (4.7 to 7.1 mm), which covers 30% to 44% of the finger's 15.7 mm width. Bolder looks start at 1.31 carat.

Diamond carat range for a size 5 finger

A size 5 finger is 15.7 mm wide at the ring (49.3 mm around). Here is the carat weight at which a diamond covers each share of that width. Pick the look you want and read across.

Round
Delicate: up to 0.39 ct
Classic: 0.39 to 1.31 ct
Bold: 1.31 to 3.11 ct
Statement: 3.11 and up ct
Oval
Delicate: up to 0.63 ct
Classic: 0.63 to 2.12 ct
Bold: 2.12 to 5.02 ct
Statement: 5.02 and up ct
Cushion
Delicate: up to 0.59 ct
Classic: 0.59 to 2.01 ct
Bold: 2.01 to 4.75 ct
Statement: 4.75 and up ct
Emerald cut
Delicate: up to 0.83 ct
Classic: 0.83 to 2.82 ct
Bold: 2.82 to 6.68 ct
Statement: 6.68 and up ct
Princess
Delicate: up to 0.63 ct
Classic: 0.63 to 2.12 ct
Bold: 2.12 to 5.02 ct
Statement: 5.02 and up ct
Pear
Delicate: up to 0.63 ct
Classic: 0.63 to 2.12 ct
Bold: 2.12 to 5.02 ct
Statement: 5.02 and up ct

The four looks are our own bands for the share of the finger's width a stone covers: delicate under 30% of the finger's width; classic 30% to 44%; bold 45% to 59%; statement 60% and more. They are a way to read the numbers, not a rule.

A 0.8 carat round on a size 5 finger

6.0 mm
6.0 mm stone on a 15.7 mm finger: it covers 38% of the widthA 0.8 carat round diamond, a classic look on a size 5 finger.

A 1.25 carat oval on a size 5 finger

5.9 mm
5.9 mm stone on a 15.7 mm finger: it covers 38% of the widthA 1.25 carat oval, 8.6 x 5.9 mm.

Every carat weight on a size 5 finger

0.5 ct
Round size: 5.1 mm
Round covers: 33%
Look: Classic
Oval covers: 28%
0.75 ct
Round size: 5.9 mm
Round covers: 37%
Look: Classic
Oval covers: 32%
1 ct
Round size: 6.5 mm
Round covers: 41%
Look: Classic
Oval covers: 35%
1.5 ct
Round size: 7.4 mm
Round covers: 47%
Look: Bold
Oval covers: 40%
2 ct
Round size: 8.1 mm
Round covers: 52%
Look: Bold
Oval covers: 44%
2.5 ct
Round size: 8.8 mm
Round covers: 56%
Look: Bold
Oval covers: 48%
3 ct
Round size: 9.3 mm
Round covers: 59%
Look: Bold
Oval covers: 51%
4 ct
Round size: 10.2 mm
Round covers: 65%
Look: Statement
Oval covers: 56%
5 ct
Round size: 11.0 mm
Round covers: 70%
Look: Statement
Oval covers: 60%

If your ring size is between sizes

Ring sizes move in steps of half a size. The widths here are for the inside of the ring at your size. A finger is wider at the knuckle than at the base, so a ring that has to pass the knuckle is sometimes sized up. Neighboring sizes: size 4, size 4.5, size 5.5.

Questions

There is no single best size. On a size 5 finger a round diamond of 0.39 to 1.31 carat reads as a classic look, 1.31 to 3.11 carat as bold and 3.11 and up carat as a statement. The four looks are our own bands for the share of the finger's width a stone covers: delicate under 30% of the finger's width; classic 30% to 44%; bold 45% to 59%; statement 60% and more. They are a way to read the numbers, not a rule.
A round 1 carat covers 41% of the width of a size 5 finger, a classic look.
A round 2 carat covers 52% of a size 5 finger, a bold look. An oval of 2 carat covers 44% across its width.
A size 5 ring is 15.7 mm (0.62 in) across the inside and 49.3 mm around.

More size charts