Diamond Shapes: Oval Cut

To put it simply, oval cut diamonds are just elongated round brilliant cut diamonds. However, even if they have the brilliance of the round diamond, oval cut diamonds have that unique shape which makes it look more fashionable, trendy, and looks larger than a round diamond. But there is one factor that almost everyone seems to like about the oval cut diamond, and that is it makes one’s finger look longer and thinner. Plus, it goes perfectly with different range of hands shapes and sizes.

Even if the oval cut was introduced in the mid-1900s, it has proven its position as one of the lasting and beloved styles when it comes to diamond cuts. The oval cut is also a symbol for the longevity of one’s relationship and that is maybe one of the reasons why this cut is a popular choice when it comes to engagement rings. In this article, we are going to talk about this stunning diamond-cut and give you some few tips that you should know when purchasing an oval cut diamond.

Origin

For centuries, jewel crafters have formed diamonds into oval-type shapes as a variation of the classic round brilliant cut. But the oval-shaped diamonds that we know today was purposely created in the late 1950s. It was a diamond cutter from Russia named Lazare Kaplan who gained a reputation for turning the most useless and blemished diamonds into beautiful and exquisite works of art. He decided to cut down the damaged gemstones and take away all the blemished parts which resulted in smaller and workable diamonds. It was Lazare Kaplan who created the oval cut diamond from blemished and deformed pieces.

How Much Does it Cost?

Just like any other fancy shaped diamonds, oval cut diamonds waste less precious rough material which makes it less premium than round cuts. But compared to other fancy shaped diamonds, the oval cut requires less depth which means that it looks larger and fuller that’s why it’s a great value for their cost. Although oval cut diamonds can look stunning, they can sometimes exhibit a bow-tie effect. This effect gives the diamond a darker or dull center that looks like a black bow tie. And the brilliance of a diamond is affected by the bow-tie effect. However, the bow-tie effect only happens if the cut is too deep or too shallow. The bow-tie effect can also affect the price of a loose diamond.

Aside from the bow-tie effect, the other factor to consider when it comes to oval cut diamond pricing is the color. If you’re considering to have an oval cut diamond for your engagement ring, just remember that ovals tend to show more color particularly near the shallow edges, compared to round diamonds. This means that you should opt for an oval cut diamond, even if a higher color grade will be much expensive than others, to make sure that the edges of the diamond look clear.

Tips When Buying an Oval Cut Diamond

  • Avoid buying off-shaped ovals or the ones with pointed or squared ends. Always look for the overall symmetry and shape of an oval cut diamond. Don’t settle for an egg-shaped oval-cut diamond. 
  • The most preferred ratio when it comes to oval cut diamonds is between 1.3 to 1.5.
  • Because of the high brilliance of the oval cut diamond, imperfections in the diamond are typically hard to see. We suggest that you should opt for an oval cut diamond with a clarity grade of SI1 or VS2 because it will most likely look clean to the untrained eye. 
  • When it comes to the color of the oval-shaped diamond, we suggest that you should stick with color grades of H or better. 
  • For an oval cut diamond, you should look for the one that has a depth of 58 to 63 percent and the table of 53 to 63 percent.