Oval Cut Diamonds
The enchanting oval diamond combines the brilliance of a round diamond with an elongated silhouette that creates a uniquely flattering appearance. Born from the innovative mind of diamond cutter Lazare Kaplan in the 1960s, the oval cut diamond has become a symbol of refined elegance and modern romance.
With its graceful curves and brilliant fire, the oval diamond offers exceptional versatility in jewellery design. The elongated diamond shape creates an illusion of greater size while flattering the finger with its elegant proportions. Whether featured in an oval cut engagement ring or showcased in fine jewellery, this distinctive silhouette radiates timeless beauty.
In this comprehensive guide, we explore the captivating allure of oval cut diamonds, from their remarkable brilliance to their perfect balance of classic charm and contemporary appeal, making them an ideal choice for discerning collectors and couples seeking something truly special
What is an oval diamond?
The oval cut diamond is a modified brilliant cut featuring an elegant elongated shape with gracefully curved edges. This sophisticated oval diamond shape combines exceptional sparkle with a flattering silhouette that appears larger than round diamonds of equivalent carat weight, making oval cut diamonds increasingly popular for engagement rings.
How Many Facets does an Oval cut diamond have?
An oval diamond features 58 precisely angled facets, identical to the round brilliant cut. These expertly crafted facets are, however, elongated to maximise light reflection and refraction, creating the spectacular fire and brilliance that defines the oval cut diamond.
WHY choose an Oval Cut?
The oval diamond captivates with its elongated grace and exceptional brilliance. This sophisticated shape offers remarkable versatility, flattering every hand while creating the illusion of a greater sized diamond. An oval cut engagement ring delivers incredible elegance with contemporary flair, making it perfect for those seeking distinctive beauty that stands apart from traditional choices.
What does An Oval cut engagement ring symbolise?
An oval diamond's graceful elongated form represents growth, renewal, and infinite possibilities. The smooth, continuous curves symbolise a love that flows without end, while its unique shape reflects individuality and confidence. An oval cut diamond engagement ring embodies a partnership that embraces both tradition and innovation, celebrating a love story that is beautifully distinctive and eternal.
Oval Cut Diamond at a Glance
- A flattering shape that elongates the finger beautifully
- Brilliant cut style delivers high sparkle and fire.
- Conceals inclusions well thanks to its faceting pattern.
- Offers a slightly larger face-up appearance than round diamonds of the same carat.
- A modern favourite with vintage charm, recently boosted by celebrity trends.
- May show a “bowtie” effect; a shadow across the centre of the stone that can be avoided with a well cut stone.
Get the most out of your Oval diamond with the 4c's
Highlight the graceful charm of your oval cut diamond by choosing the right balance of the 4Cs—cut, colour, clarity, and carat. This flattering shape offers brilliance and elongation, so selecting well means enjoying a luminous diamond with elegant proportions and enduring appeal.
Choosing Oval diamond colour
When selecting colour for your oval diamond, personal preference takes centre stage . Diamond colour grades progress from D (completely colourless) through the alphabet, with D to F representing the colourless category that beautifully complements an oval diamond's natural brilliance.
For platinum or white gold settings, staying within the D–F range ensures your oval cut diamond appears white against cool-toned metals. However, if you've chosen yellow gold or rose gold, you can explore slightly warmer grades like G or H. These golden precious metals naturally complement warmer diamond tones, creating a harmonious appearance that can make your oval diamond ring appear whiter than its actual grade.
This approach offers smart budget optimisation. By selecting a slightly warmer oval cut diamond in a complementary ring setting, you can allocate more of your investment toward carat or clarity while maintaining exceptional visual appeal.
What is the best clarity for an oval cut diamond?
The brilliant faceting pattern of oval diamonds creates exceptional light performance that works to your advantage when selecting clarity. These elongated stones scatter light in multiple directions, naturally disguising small internal characteristics that might be more visible in other diamond shapes.
For most oval cut diamond engagement rings under 3.00 carats, clarity grades between VS2 and SI1 deliver outstanding value. At these levels, any inclusions remain invisible to the naked eye.
Flawless diamonds represent extraordinary rarity and command premium pricing. Since the oval cut diamond's facet arrangement masks minor inclusions so effectively, choosing a slightly included grade rarely compromises visual beauty. The key lies in selecting stones where any inclusions fall outside the diamond's centre or don't interfere with light reflection.
For larger oval diamonds exceeding 3.00 carats, consider moving up to VS1 grade, as increased size can make inclusions more apparent. Your jeweller can guide you toward eye-clean options that optimsie both beauty and value in your oval shaped diamond ring.
Choosing an oval cut grade
Oval diamonds don't receive formal cut grades like round brilliants, making evaluation more personal and nuanced. The quality of an oval cut diamond hinges on achieving perfect balance in proportions while maximising light return through precise facet alignment across the stone's elongated surface.
A masterfully cut oval diamond exhibits brilliant sparkle throughout its entire form, with light flowing seamlessly across the graceful curves. The shape's elongated geometry requires exceptional cutting skill to maintain symmetry while preventing light leakage that can diminish brilliance.
Like other fancy shapes, oval diamonds can display a bowtie effect where darker areas appear across the stone's centre. While some bowtie character adds personality, excessive shadowing indicates poor cutting. Well-cut oval diamonds show minimal bowtie effects that don't detract from their overall beauty.
How do you know if an Oval Diamond is well cut?
A well-cut oval diamond represents masterful artistry in balancing elongated beauty with brilliant light performance. Superior oval diamonds exhibit three key qualities: exceptional brilliance (how bright the diamond appears), elegant design (perfect proportions creating the ideal elongated form), and expert craftsmanship (precise faceting and finishing that prioritises light return).
There are key indicators that help you spot a well-cut oval cut diamond:
- Length-to-Width Ratio: The ideal ratio typically falls between 1.30 and 1.50, creating a balanced oval that's neither too rounded nor excessively elongated.
- Bowtie Evaluation: A well-cut oval diamond features only subtle oval bowtie shadowing that adds character without dominating the stone's appearance. Harsh, prominent bowties indicate poor cutting angles that compromise light reflection.
- Symmetry Balance: The curves should mirror each other perfectly, creating smooth, flowing lines from end to end. Any irregularities or flat spots become immediately apparent in this elegant shape.
By understanding these elements, you can find an oval diamond that sparkles with exceptional beauty. The finest oval cut diamonds also demonstrate excellent polish grades that enhance their natural lustre and light reflection capabilities.
Our top tips on
- Beware the bowtie - inspect your oval carefully for dark shadowing across the centre, as this optical effect can diminish brilliance.
- Embrace the length-to-width ratio - aim for 1.30-1.50 to achieve that coveted elongated silhouette that flatters the finger.
- Consider colour placement - ovals can concentrate colour at their tips, so choose one grade higher than you might for round diamonds.
- Maximise your carat appeal - ovals face up larger than rounds of the same weight, giving you more visual impact for your budget.
- Secure those points - protect the delicate curved ends with a setting that offers coverage, such as a halo or bezel detail.
JQ Diamonds
Discover Our engagement rings
Diamond cuts guide
FAQs | oval diamonds
Yes, oval diamonds are typically 10-20% less expensive than round diamonds of the same quality and carat weight.
No, oval cut diamonds are generally more affordable than rounds but may cost slightly more than other fancy shapes like marquise or pear.
Yes, oval diamonds have surged in popularity and are now among the top 3 most sought-after shapes after round and princess.
Most ovals show some degree of bowtie effect, but well-cut stones minimise this shadowing across the centre.
Yes, ovals appear approximately 10% larger than round diamonds of the same carat weight due to their elongated shape.
Oval diamonds typically have 58 facets, the same number as round brilliant cuts.
Colour is slightly more important as ovals can concentrate colour at their pointed ends, making it more visible than in rounds.
The ideal length-to-width ratio ranges from 1.30-1.50, with 1.40 being the most popular choice for classic proportions.