Beginner’s Guide to Oval Cut Diamond: How to Choose and Prices

The world of diamonds is interesting and complex. You don’t simply just buy a stone the same way you would a packet of gum. It requires research and forethought. Many things need to be considered, like the various diamond cuts that include the oval cut diamond.

Now, for some, the cut of the diamond doesn’t really matter, as long as it looks pretty, right? Well, the truth is that each diamond cut has been created to showcase the beauty of different stones. Considering the fact that we’ve already made mention of oval cut diamonds, let’s take a deeper look at this type of cut.

What is an Oval Cut Diamond?

Oval diamonds are a brilliant cut of diamonds. It showcases the sparkle of the stone and allows for a more eye-catching diamond setting. When cut correctly, this cut truly showcases the beauty of the stone in question. However, when done incorrectly, it will showcase every imperfection and result in a rather unflattering appearance. If you’ve spent a small fortune on the stone, this is the last thing that you will want to have happened.

What is the Origin and History of Oval Cut Diamonds?

The oval diamond cut was the brainchild of Lazare Kaplan and only hit the scene in the 1960s. The elongated round shape helps to give the stone a bigger appearance while embracing the sparkle and brilliance of the diamond. This diamond cut when featured on a ring will also help make the fingers of the wearer appear longer and more slender. It’s truly a flattering shape for both the jewellery as well as the person wearing it.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Oval Cut Diamonds?

When it comes to investing, doing your research is an important part of the process. Forming part of this has to be a pros and cons list. After all, you need to determine if it is worthwhile.

To start with, an oval diamond is more affordable while offering an elegant appearance. In addition to this, the cut makes the stone appear a lot bigger while making the fingers of the person wearing it a lot more slender.

An imperfect cut will throw off the symmetry of the stone as well as the ring but can have a bowtie effect which is a cause for concern. This can be prevented if you choose a trusted jeweller with the experience to navigate their way around this diamond cut.

How To Measure and Select an Oval Cut Diamond

The ideal measurements of the oval cut diamonds should be 7.75mm x 5.50mm. When compared to a round cut diamond of the same carat value, the oval diamond will appear noticeably larger. This is one of the many reasons people choose the oval cut – you get more bang for your buck.

What Is an Ideal Cut for An Oval Diamond?

To ensure that the oval shape is fully proportional, we recommend a width to length ratio of approximately 1.25-1.50. Anything less than 1.25 will look like a round cut diamond, while anything more than .5 will look thin and narrow.

What Is the Best Setting for Oval Diamond?

A prong setting is recommended for oval cut diamonds, as it doesn’t hide the stone and puts it front and centre. This classic setting also lets more light pass through the stone, giving it a more brilliant and sparkly appearance.

How Much Are Oval Cut Diamonds?

The average cost for a 2.5-carat oval cut stone is around $19 670. Having said this, when it comes to shopping for an oval diamond, you’ll find that stones with this cut cost 20% less than a round cut stone of the same quality.

What Does an Oval Cut Diamond Say About You?

A person that chooses the oval diamond cut is believed to be bright, intelligent and bold enough to embrace their individuality. It’s ideal for the trendsetter that has a soft spot for classic, timeless looks.

Are Oval Diamonds Less Sparkly?

No, on the contrary, the oval cut diamond offers more brilliance and sparkle than other diamond cuts. Additionally, the cut amplifies the size and shape of the stone, making it appear more impressive at a fraction of the price.

Oval-Cut Diamonds Vs Other Diamond Cuts

To truly understand and determine if an oval cut diamond is the right cut for you, you’ll need to know what you’re comparing it against to make an informed decision. As already mentioned, the oval cut diamond is an elongated shape that showcases the brilliance of the stone while helping the stone appear bigger than other cuts of the same carat.

Oval-Cut Diamond vs Round Cut Diamonds

This cut is one of the more popular cuts of diamond and is known for showcasing the brilliance of the stone, much like the oval cut. Unfortunately, the shape of the stone does make it appear smaller than an oval cut diamond of the same carat.

Oval-Cut Diamond vs Princess-Cut Diamond

The princess-cut diamond is the second most popular cut after round cut diamonds. This square cut resembles an upside-down pyramid, and this shape helps to showcase the brilliance of the stone. However, due to the square shape, the stone has corners that can easily be damaged if knocked against something.

Another cut worth mentioning here is the radiant cut, which features a similar shape but has been crafted to suit daily wear – even if you’re an active individual.

Oval-Cut Diamond vs Emerald-Cut Diamond

The next shape we’re looking at is the rectangular emerald cut. The corners are cropped and due to the step cut, does not showcase the brilliance of the stone like the abovementioned diamond cuts. If rectangular shapes are not your thing but you are looking for a step-cut, the Asscher diamond cut is a square version of the classic emerald cut.

Other Diamond Cuts

Of course, there’s a long list of diamond cuts to consider when it comes to choosing the right fit, however, these are the most common cuts available that are most frequently requested.

Go Big Or Go Home

When you choose an oval diamond, one of the greatest benefits has to be the visible size difference it offers when compared to other stones of the same carat value. It also showcases the sparkling brilliance and offers a more flattering appearance to the person wearing it.