What Is An Oval Cut Diamond?

Diamonds are one of the most popular gemstones in the world. They have been used as a symbol of love and commitment for thousands of years. But, did you know that there are different types of diamonds? One type is an Oval Cut Diamond!

The oval cut diamond is a brilliant-shaped stone with rounded corners and an elongated shape. This cut offers more surface area than the typical round or princess cuts, which means that it reflects light from all angles to reflect your inner beauty.

The oval cut diamond has a lower profile than other cuts, so it can be set flush to the finger. It also offers more sparkle because its facets point towards the finger rather than away from it like with round diamonds.

The History Of Oval Cut Diamonds

Oval-cut diamonds have been around for centuries with a storied past shaping who they’ve become today – from an early rough stone into a beautiful gemstone reflecting both nature’s signature design as well as its unique characteristics in each faceted face. The oval cut diamond, which was created in the early 60s by Lazare Kaplan, a Russian diamond cutter, is similar to a round brilliant.

Kaplan worked like a gemstone maestro, carving out what wasn’t desirable and polishing the beautiful diamonds that remained into the oval cut diamonds. However, its elongated shape makes for an optical illusion that gives off the impression of greater size than its actual measurement.

What Are The Characteristics Of An Oval Cut Diamond?

Below are some of the characteristics of an oval cut diamond:

• An oval cut diamond is elongated and looks larger than a round brilliant.
• Oval diamonds have 58 facets on the crown, 57 on the pavilion, and 56 on the table facet as well as an open culet (the flat base) that’s easily seen from above due to its rectangular shape. 
• The brilliance of an oval diamond is considered to be “excellent” and has a higher dispersion than other cuts.
• The face of the stone appears more rounded because it rests on its corners, which are not as sharp or pronounced as in round diamonds. The edges create a more noticeable “brilliance” effect.
• Oval-cut diamonds offer elegance and modern air to some jewelry. The shape is not as common in typical commercial settings because of its lack of symmetry, but it can be found by custom design makers who will customize the diamond according to your specifications.
• The weight distribution is slightly more even than other shapes making them perfect for those who may want to avoid being weighed down.
• The oval cut is a good choice for those with an active lifestyle or those who are looking for something more simple and delicate than other cuts on the market today. 

The Different Oval Cut Diamond Settings

Oval-Cut Diamond Setting can be found in most settings that are compatible with a round-cut diamond. The popular settings for oval diamonds include;

Channel Setting

The Channel setting allows light to flow through cleanly without catching on any of the edges and refracting off at odd angles.  

Halo Setting

A halo setting is a collet set under the center of an oval diamond and held by four small triangular prongs that act as “horns” on either side. It often features diamonds around the outside edge, or even down one long side of the stone. In this case, it is often called a “half-halo” setting. This type of setting is designed to make the diamond appear like it has an aura or halo surrounding it, which in turn makes the stone look even more majestic and beautiful than normal. 

Pave Setting

Pave setting features small diamond chips set into gold or platinum to create a more delicate design around an oval stone.

Solitaire Setting

A solitaire setting is a type of diamond that has been set by itself. Many people choose this style because they like the idea of having just one stone as opposed to two, three, or more diamonds in a ring. To make it stand out even more, designers will often handpick especially small and delicate diamonds for these types of stones.

Accented Band Setting

This type of setting is used to highlight a particular stone. For example, if you have an engagement ring with smaller diamonds on either side and one larger diamond in the center, this would be considered an accented band setting. It’s a very popular setting for engagement rings simply because it gives more focus on one diamond that’s held close to the heart of their partner.

East-West Setting

This is the most common setting for rings. The accent diamond, or main stone that you want to be more visible, will always sit on one side of the band and it’ll have smaller stones sitting all around its circumference. You can set them so they’re coming in from either a north-south direction or east-west direction.

Three Stone Setting

This is the most classic setting of all. It’s popular because it shows off three different diamonds on one ring, and each diamond will be set a little bit differently to create depth in design.

What to Look For When Purchasing an Oval Cut Diamond

The Length To Width Ratio

This is the most important factor to consider when purchasing an oval diamond. The length should be at least twice as long as it is wide, and preferably more than that if possible (for example a ratio of two-to-one or three-to-two).

The depth of the stone also matters because you want your main focal point to stand out. If the depth of your stone is too shallow, it will make more sense to choose an elongated diamond or a round brilliant cut with high crown height and lower pavilion depth

Bowtie Effect

If you are shopping for an oval diamond and want to avoid the bowtie effect, make sure that your stone is a little wider than it is long. The Bowties will be less noticeable if there are fewer of them to the length of your stone. Learn more in our guide: “What Causes The Bow Tie Effect In Oval Diamonds?“

Settings And Style

For settings, choose a style that complements your desired center stone shape. A round diamond in an emerald or pear-cut is perfect for accentuating the oval look of your gemstone. Diamonds with rounded corners work well to soften the edges of an egg-shaped diamond and make it more enjoyable to wear.

Oval diamonds can also be set in a more classic prong setting or in an open-back style to show off the natural shape. The length of your ring finger is also important when choosing settings for oval gemstones. Avoid anything that will make it difficult to bend your hand and grip the stone.

Cut

Cutting an oval diamond is a little more complicated than cutting circular or square-shaped diamonds, so it will cost you a bit more. The final result of the cut should be flat on one side and rounded off at the other end like a teardrop. This shape brings out the entire pattern in your gemstone that would otherwise get lost against a round cut.

What are the Pros and Cons of an Oval Cut Diamond?

Pros

• Accessibility; the Oval cut is easy to identify and wear as it is common in many jewelry outlets.

• More affordable; with the oval cut, you can afford a bigger diamond for your budget since it costs less than a round cut diamond of a similar weight and clarity.
• More sparkle; due to the way it is cut, the oval cut gets to be the brightest cut of them all. This guarantees more sparkle on your finger.
• Slimming effect on fingers; the oval cut has the power to make a woman’s fingers look thinner and longer. However, before making a final pick, ensure that the ring’s setting and shape complements your fingers. 

Cons

• Bow tie effect; because of its fancy cut, light is not evenly distributed throughout the diamond thus causing the bow-tie effect at the center of the stone.
• Shows flaw more; the oval cut is more prone to highlight flaws because of the way light reflects off it. For this factor, you will require a higher clarity and color.

Should You Buy An Oval Cut Diamond?

If you are looking for a ring that will complement your fingers, then an oval cut diamond is a perfect choice. Oval-Cut Diamonds have a unique shape and reflect light beautifully from their elongated corners to produce an elegant shine.

The oval diamond is mostly recommended for people who want to show off their fingers because of its slim outline and looks best when paired with bands that are narrow and not too thick. It is also less prone to scratches. This is because the oval cut lacks sharp corners.

Where Should You Purchase An Oval Cut Diamond?

Since this type of diamond is rare, it may be hard to find a suitable one. However, you can always order an oval cut diamond from online retailers. There are plenty of websites that sell them but make sure you look for reputable ones.

Conclusion

There are many things that you need to know about Oval Cut Diamonds. You can buy one online from a reputable company or find one in person at your local jeweler’s store. The oval diamond is mostly recommended for people who want to show off their fingers because of its slim outline and looks best when paired with narrow bands.