Ultimate Oval Cut Diamond Buying Guide: Tips & Insights

The oval cut diamond offers a stunning combination of elegance and brilliance. With its elongated shape and brilliant faceting, the oval cut diamond is a popular choice for those seeking a unique and eye-catching gemstone.

Here's a comprehensive oval cut diamond buying guide to help you choose the best oval-cut diamond.

Characteristics and Features

The oval cut diamond possesses distinct characteristics and features that contribute to its captivating allure. Our oval cut diamond buying guide will help you navigate through the various characteristics and features of this diamond cut.

Elongated Shape

This lovely diamond is renowned for its elongated shape, reminiscent of a perfectly proportioned oval. Its unique cut features 58 facets, which allow for exceptional light reflection and brilliance. The elongated shape creates an illusion of greater size, making it an ideal choice for those who want a bold and visually striking diamond.

Brilliance, Fire, and Visual Appeal

One of the key factors determining an oval cut diamond's overall beauty is its cut quality. The precision of the cut directly influences the diamond's brilliance, fire, and visual appeal. A well-cut stone will showcase excellent sparkle and light performance. 

The facets should be symmetrically arranged, reflecting light evenly across the surface of the stone. When viewed from above, the diamond should exhibit a pleasing balance of flashes and scintillation.

Key Considerations for Purchasing

When choosing a diamond, several factors can greatly impact the jewel's overall beauty and visual appeal. Just how you would look for other diamonds, cut proportions, symmetry, and polish are aspects to consider when looking for the perfect stone. 

Cut Proportions

When choosing an oval cut diamond, pay attention to the proportions of the stone. The length-to-width ratio affects the overall appearance of the diamond on your finger. A ratio between 1.35 and 1.50 is generally considered ideal, creating a well-balanced oval shape.

Symmetry

Look for a diamond with excellent symmetry, ensuring that each side mirrors the other. Symmetry influences the diamond's overall appearance and determines how well it reflects and refracts light.

Polish

A high quality polish is essential for an oval cut diamond. It determines the smoothness of the diamond's surface, which enhances its brilliance. Choose a diamond with an excellent polish grade to ensure its visual appeal.

The Ideal Setting for Oval Cut Diamonds

The oval cut diamond looks breathtaking in various setting styles. One popular setting choice is the solitaire engagement ring, which features a single oval diamond held by prongs. 

This classic design highlights the beauty and elegance of the diamond by allowing maximum light exposure for optimal sparkle. When choosing a solitaire setting, consider a slim and delicate band to accentuate the elongated shape of the diamond and create a timeless and sophisticated look.

Pros and Cons of Oval Cut Diamonds

Oval diamonds are a popular choice for those seeking a blend of classic elegance and modern sophistication. Their elongated shape and brilliant faceting make them an attractive option for various types of jewellery, especially solitaire engagement rings. Here is a summary of key pros and cons when choosing an oval cut diamond:

Pros

Larger Appearance: Oval cut diamonds often appear larger than round diamonds of the same carat weight due to their elongated shape, which maximises surface area and gives a more substantial look.

Brilliant Sparkle: The brilliant faceting pattern of oval cuts enhances their sparkle and fire, similar to the traditional round brilliant cut.

Finger-Flattering Shape: The oval shape elongates the appearance of fingers, making them look slimmer and more graceful, which is particularly appealing in engagement rings.

Versatile Design: Oval diamonds are versatile and complement a variety of settings and styles, from solitaires to vintage-inspired designs.

Unique and Modern: While maintaining a timeless appeal, oval diamonds offer a unique twist on the classic round diamond, appealing to those looking for something distinctive yet elegant.

Cons

Bow-Tie Effect: One of the main drawbacks of oval cut diamonds is the bow-tie effect, a shadowy area across the center of the diamond. High-quality cuts can minimise this, but it is often present to some degree.

Visible Inclusions: The larger surface area of the oval cut can make inclusions and imperfections more visible, necessitating a higher clarity grade for optimal appearance.

Color Visibility: Due to the larger table, color can be more noticeable in oval diamonds. Higher color grades may be required to achieve a truly colorless look.

Cut Variability: Oval cuts can vary significantly in length-to-width ratios, affecting their overall appearance. This variability means careful consideration is needed to choose the most aesthetically pleasing cut.

Discover the Brilliance Today

Purchasing a diamond ring is an exciting and significant investment. With this oval-cut diamond buying guide, you'll be well informed for choosing the perfect oval stone or engagement ring.

Considering important factors such as cut proportions, symmetry, and polish ensures that you choose a diamond with exceptional brilliance and visual appeal.

Combining the oval cut diamond with a carefully selected setting, such as a solitaire engagement ring, will create a stunning piece of jewelry that reflects your unique style and will be cherished for years to come.