Buying an engagement ring is a really exciting moment. However, it also involves a lot of things to decide on, and that includes the diamond cut. If you are thinking about the best diamond cut for an engagement ring, one of the most picked today is an oval-cut diamond. There has been a lot of buzz around the oval-cut diamond these days, and it is fast becoming one of the popular diamond shapes, particularly for engagement rings.
Oval diamonds look classy and sophisticated. It is among the most brilliant of all the fancy diamond cuts, and whether used as accent tones or picked as a center stone, an oval-cut diamond is a great choice. It has been around for quite some time, but the cut that we know today was first made in the 1960s. It was a cross between the round brilliant and the pear-shaped diamond. However, it does not have any pointed corners. It is also known as a modified round brilliant, having the same number of facets as a round cut. It has excellent fire and sparkle.
An engagement ring with an oval-cut diamond can elongate the fingers, making them look long and slender. They can make any hand look stunning, and they also go well with various styles and settings. There are lots of advantages when it comes to oval-cut diamonds. However, finding a high-quality stone can be quite challenging.
If you are thinking of buying an engagement ring with an oval-cut diamond, keep in mind that these do not receive cut grades from gemological laboratories. This means that assessing their quality can be difficult. But you can still find a great-looking oval-cut diamond. If you are looking for an oval diamond cut calculator in order to find the best one, read on as we’re giving you some of the best tips when it comes to choosing an oval diamond.
Characteristics of an Oval Diamond
The oval-shaped diamond is considered a fancy diamond, which refers to any shape that is not round brilliant. It features an oblong shape that looks elegant. It also has a slimming effect on the hand. Most of the time, oval-cut diamonds appear larger compared to round diamonds of similar carat weight. They also come in various dimensions, ranging from short and stout to tall and elongated. Short oval-cuts appear almost round, while tall oval diamonds look comparable to a marquise cut.
One of the unique things about an oval diamond is having a bow-tie effect. This looks like a black line or bow tie in the middle of the stone. This is a reflection defect that comes from the facets of the oval-cut. But this is minimal or less obvious when you find an ideal cut and premium quality oval diamonds. That is why it is important to search for high-quality ones.
Pros of Oval-cut Diamonds
You might also wonder why a lot of people today are choosing oval-cut diamonds. Well, here are some of their pros:
- High Brilliance and Sparkle: Oval-cut diamonds are among the most impressive when it comes to sparkle and brilliance. It is one of the brightest diamond cuts that you can find on the market.
- Elegant Shape: The elongated shape of an oval-cut diamond doesn’t only make the ring elegant looking, but it also makes the fingers of the wearer look slimmer.
- Affordable: Oval-cut diamonds are great if you are searching for a stunning diamond that does not cost a lot. Even if it is affordable, it still offers a high level of sparkle and brilliance.
- Smooth: An oval-cut diamond has a smooth shape that does not catch or snag. Many owners of diamond rings are concerned about catching and damaging the jewelry or snagging clothing on sharp corners. However, oval diamonds have a round and smooth shape, making them unlikely to catch or snag.
Cons of Oval-cut Diamonds
Like other things, oval-cut diamonds also come with some drawbacks that you should also take note of. Here are some of them:
- Bow-Tie Effect: Light is not distributed evenly inside an oval-cut diamond due to its internal cut. This could lead to a bow-tie shape appearing in its center. These are subtle but are present in most oval-cut diamonds. Therefore, when you choose one, you need to ensure that this effect is not going to be an issue before you buy.
- Have Flaws: Oval-cut diamonds are likely to be flawed and can have blemishes, too. Therefore, it is essential to invest in a stone that has higher clarity ratings than you would a round cut diamond. Fortunately, since oval diamonds are cheaper, you can put more of your budget towards a higher clarity piece.
Tips for Choosing an Oval-cut Diamond
If you’ve decided that you are getting an engagement ring with an oval-cut diamond, here are some of the best tips for you to find the perfect one:
1. Pick the length to width ratio.
Remember that there is no standard oval shape as it mainly depends on the length to width ratio. These affect the overall shape of the diamond, which will make it appear either wide or narrow. The shape you pick depends on your personal preferences, as well as on the setting where the diamond will be placed in.
The classic choice of an oval-cut diamond when it comes to length to width ratio is 1.40 to 1.50. From 1.40 to 1.30, you can get a wider diamond. However, when you drop below 1.30, the diamond will begin looking neither round nor oval. If you want a narrow and long diamond, you can opt for a length-to-width ratio over 1.50. Narrow cuts are perfect for earrings and pendants. For engagement rings, a traditional oval-cut would look best as a center stone. But if you wish to use oval diamonds as side stones for the ring, a wider oval-cut would be perfect.
2. Pay attention to the bow-tie effect.
The biggest disadvantage of the oval-cut diamond is the bow-tie effect. This is the darkened area in the shape of a bow tie that can be found across the center of the diamond when you look at it from certain angles. These occur because of poor cutting and misaligned facets, interfering with the light performance around the stone.
Keep in mind that almost all oval-cuts have some degree of the bow-tie. It ranges from severe to nearly unperceivable. The best way to know is to view the diamond closely. If the bow-tie effect is what catches your eye immediately, it is better to choose another stone. Also, grading reports do not give any information on whether a bow tie is visible on the diamond. Therefore, it is vital to buy from a vendor that will give you images and videos of the actual diamond if you choose to buy one online. Seeing the diamond in person is a better choice.
3. Check the symmetry of the diamond.
Another important thing in an oval-cut diamond is symmetry. You need to make sure that the diamond has identical sides and neatly rounded edges that gracefully slope towards the ends. Even a small amount of disproportion in the oval-cut can be noticeable. This is the part where cut expertise enters. The oval needs a high amount of skill to craft the perfect shape. This is why finding a beautifully cut oval diamond is challenging. But it is indeed worth it when you do.
4. Choose your color grade.
Another characteristic of the oval-cut diamond is that it is good at hiding color because of its brilliance faceting pattern. This means that you can drop down on the color scale and still have a good-looking diamond. The first choice of most people is the D-G colorless grades if money is not an issue. Remember that the less color in the diamond, the better. These grades usually provide more sparkle and fire, too. But if you want warm tints in the diamond, you can drop down the scale as far as you like.
If you plan to set the diamond in silver-hued metals like platinum or white gold, it is best to choose an H color or better. But if you pick yellow or rose gold, you can drop the color grade down to a K or an I. But remember that the price between two grades can be different, but the appearance might be the same. Therefore, financially, choosing a diamond with a lower color grade is better.
5. Choose the right style and setting.
Since oval-cut diamonds do not have any pointed edges, it is not that vulnerable compared to other cuts. The solitaire setting is the classic setting for any diamond. You can choose a prong setting, too, as this allows for the maximum amount of light reflection and visibility of the diamond. Depending on the size of the stone, you can pick a 4 prong, 6 prongs, or 8 prongs. The more prongs you choose, the greater the security of the stone, and the more you can accentuate the shape. However, it also means the lower the visibility of the diamond.
You can also choose the halo setting, which can add extra sparkle and can maximize the look of the diamond. This can also emphasize the elongated shape of the diamond. The right style and setting will depend mainly on your personal preferences. But it is better to choose one that will highlight the diamond more.
Conclusion
These are some of the best tips that we can give when it comes to choosing an oval diamond for an engagement ring. The oval diamond is a versatile stone that is similar to the brilliant round diamond. It is a great choice if you are looking for something more unique and affordable. It is a beautiful diamond shape, most especially for an engagement ring, which will surely steal the show no matter what. We hope this post helped you learn more about oval-cut diamonds.