You might have seen various shapes of diamonds rising in popularity each year for wedding or engagement rings. However, oval diamonds in engagement rings have held a special place for many years for a lot of people. Oval diamonds are one of the top choices when it comes to diamond shapes for your engagement ring and it’s easy to see why! The stunning shapes look fantastic in every size and with every engagement ring setting.
Let’s delve into the details and find out why they are worth buying.
Are Round Or Oval Diamonds More Popular?
Both round and oval shaped diamonds are very popular because their slender and unique bodies have a beautiful look. Round diamonds are traditionally the most expensive diamond shape due to the fact that they lack the bowtie effect present in other fancy cut diamonds. For this reason, oval shaped diamonds have become increasingly popular in recent years: you can find a beautiful sparkle in an oval diamond for a lower price.
Many prefer 2-carat oval-shaped diamonds in the rings because they look great and make their fingers appear thinner and slimmer. An oval diamond doesn’t have any sharp edges. Plus, it is not prone to breakage or chipping.
The most common setting for an oval diamond is a six prong mount. This style gives the center diamond security while allowing it to fully reveal its beauty. This diamond also looks great in a bezel setting or fully surrounded by a pave set halo. However, if you still aren’t sure about whether an oval is the right shape for you, there are a few things which make an oval unique to other shapes.
Comes With A Beautiful Tie Formation
An oval diamond has something special that other diamonds don’t – a unique bow-tie formation. It not only makes the diamond look beautiful but also enhances its visibility within the ring.
The bow tie effect is caused when light isn’t directly reflected in the center of the diamond. Due to the cut of the diamond, the bow tie prevents the light from returning to your eye. This causes a shadow to be present in the table of the diamond. While round diamonds are prized for their lack of bowtie, many seasoned jewelers consider the bowtie of an oval to be a unique and beautiful aspect of the gem.
Pairs with many Settings
Another thing that makes oval diamonds ideal is their versatility. The diamond cut is versatile enough to pair well with many settings. A solitaire, thin band engagement ring setting will accentuate an oval and emphasize its fire and clarity while a halo or three stone setting will complement the oval diamond in a beautiful and natural way.
Offers a bigger diamond for a similar price
If you are looking for a good deal when buying diamonds online, selecting an oval shape instead of a round diamond can be a smart move. The elongated shape and large table of an oval diamond can give it a larger appearance while still fitting within your budget. Additionally, oval has been an immensely popular shape for decades. From art deco halos to modern thin band settings, oval diamonds are popular, fashionable and eternally beautiful.
Features to Consider When Buying an Oval Diamond
Once you start your oval diamond hunt, you will come across many oval diamonds in store, but how are you so sure that you’re buying the right one? Hence, to help you out mentioned below are a few things to consider when buying an oval diamond so that you achieve the perfect one?
The Symmetry of the Diamond
Your oval diamond should be of equal symmetry, as this determines the beauty and lovely appearance of the diamond. To know if your oval diamond has the right symmetry starting by visualizing an imaginary line from the center of the diamond. When you imagine the line, both halves of the diamond should mirror each other, and then move on to imagining a line in the middle of the oval. The sides should be equal now as well. It is more about the facet and shapes of the diamond being equal, and this is one of the points that determine the beauty of the overall diamond.
Proportion of the Oval Diamonds
The proportion of an oval cut diamond is determined by its length to width ratio and dictates the appearance of overall shape. Oval cut diamond proportions are typically preferred with a length to width ratio of 1.4:1-1.5:1. The length to width ratio can be calculated by dividing the mm length of the diamond by the width mm measurement. For those that would rather not do the math, the length to width ratio is typically listed on the diamond grading report and is always listed in the Adiamor diamond details section at the bottom of the diamond product page. Oval shaped diamonds with a ratio under 1.40 will appear chunky and those over 1.50 appear slender.
Bow-Tie Feature
This is an interesting feature to keep a look-out on as it adds to the whole appearance of a diamond. A bow tie effect is the pattern that runs across the diamond in shape of a bow tie. You can see this effect through the light created by the facets. So the more you stare at the stone precisely you will notice a dark reflection of your shoulders and head that blocks the light from getting to the diamond. The more closely you move towards the diamond, the more prominent the bow tie effect will be. If the effect is minimal, this means the diamond is cut well, but you will always notice a subtle bow tie effect whenever you’re in front of the diamond.
The Girdle Thickness of the Diamond
You must also judge the griddle thickness of the diamond which is the intersection of the pavilion and the crown. The purpose of this is to make you notice the function of the diamond as well as its perimeter. To make sure it has the right thickness you must go through the GIA diamond grading report as this will give you the correct percentages you must indicate in the diamonds griddle. This scale ranges from extremely thin to extremely thick, GIA suggests staying right in the medium to slightly thick range as this is the perfect balance between the durability and desired measurements for the carat weight of the diamond.
The Shape of the Diamond
To make sure your diamond has the perfect oval shape, and it’s the perfect one for you, compare it with other oval-shaped diamonds, and then you can easily select the best one.
Every oval diamond is unique you can choose one that fits your personal style, proportions can completely change the look and feel of your engagement ring and the way it looks on your finger. Short, chunky ovals can be reminiscent of an old mine cut or similar to an elongated cushion cut diamond. Long and slender ovals can appear similar to a marquise diamond, especially when set in a 6 prong setting. Length to width ratio isn’t the only shape determine factor for an oval shaped diamond. Some ovals are more pointed at the ends with a chunky center. Others have a full shape at the ends and have a width that gradually rounds to the ends. It is helpful to use images of side by side to determine which oval shape speaks to your personal style. See below how these two oval diamonds vary so much in their shape.
Oval Diamond Ring Settings
If you want to achieve the perfect oval diamond ring for your engagement, choose from the best settings mentioned below:
- Basket Prong Setting
- Bezel Setting
- Thin Band Solitaire Setting
- Wide Band Setting
- Side Stones Setting
Summing Up
All in all, there is no way you can overlook the beauty and benefits of oval diamonds. They make your jewelry exceptionally elegant, adding a touch of timelessness. With superior qualities, oval diamonds are a distinct and perfect choice for your engagement.
