About Oval Diamonds

Oval diamonds, because they are cut in the same manner as a round diamond, have a remarkable brilliance just with a more unique shape. Although this shape is a more recent cut, invented in the mid-1900s, it has already become a classic and often selected diamond shape for engagement rings. 

An oval diamond is stunning in a solitaire engagement ring setting but often is flanked by other diamonds. Even and symmetrical, the oval diamond when set north south has the similar effect of a marquise diamond because the oval's elongated shape gives the illusion of length to the hand, resulting in slender-looking fingers. If you are seeking a bold unique look, setting this east west, or sideways, creates a completely different style of engagement ring.

A modified brilliant cut diamond is a variation on the traditional round shape. It falls under the category of fancy cut diamonds, with modified brilliants being the most popular due to the variety of shapes available.

Bursting with brilliance and fire, an oval cut diamond is exquisite and unique. The oval is considered a “fancy” shape; the elongated design makes it appear larger than other shapes of the same carat weight.

Knowing how light behaves inside a diamond helps us understand diamond cuts. There are three main ways to classify diamond sparkle.

Dispersion, or fire, separates colored light into its full spectrum. While white light enters and exits through the table, flashes of color are visible when the light is emitted from the center. This is done through the crown.

Brilliance. The amount of white light emitted and reflected out of a diamond determines its brilliance. Diamonds absorb natural light, then split it into the full spectrum of colors thanks to their wide top table. As the light bounces back and reflects within the diamond, it is projected upwards and leaves the table as pure white light.

Scintillation. A diamond's scintillation refers to how light bounces off its facets when moved, creating a glistening and twinkling effect. Light will emanate from diamonds when they are well cut, creating the mesmerizing sparkle we all love.

An Excellent diamond cut will enhance the appearance of other qualities of the stone, like the color and clarity grade. It can even make a diamond appear larger. When a diamond is cut to an Excellent (GIA) or Ideal (IGI) grade, the polish and proportions of the stone will produce brilliance, fire and scintillation that work together in harmony, creating a charmingly sparkly diamond.

An oval or oval modified brilliant has beautiful brilliance that’s similar to a round diamond. The oval is seen most frequently cut in the standard 58 facet brilliant pattern, but can have a varying number of pavilion main facets.

Due to their higher sparkle, brilliant cut diamonds can appear larger than step cut diamonds. The spread of the table makes some brilliant cut shapes appear larger than others; marquise, oval, and pear diamonds appear larger than other diamond shapes of the same carat weight.

It is more difficult to find some diamond shapes than others. The demand for asscher diamonds and radiant diamonds is much lower than for other diamond shapes, making them rarer than most diamond cuts. They are followed closely by marquise and hearts.

Due to many of the reasons already stated, the round brilliant diamond continues to be the most popular diamond shape in the United States. Followed by oval diamonds, pear diamonds, emerald cut diamonds, and cushion cut diamonds.