Oval Diamond Buying Guide

Oval cut diamonds offer exceptional brilliance, durability, and distinctive style. With their elongated, elegant shape, oval diamonds visually appear larger than other cuts of the same carat weight.

We recommend oval diamonds with an H colour grade or better, and clarity grades of SI1 or SI2 (or higher) for optimal value and beauty. It's essential to consider the "bowtie effect"—a potential dark area across the diamond's center—and select stones carefully to minimize its visibility. The bowtie is caused by light leakage, caused by misalignment of facets. Within this dark area, light is entering the diamond and exiting via the pavilion instead of reflecting back to the eye. Thus creating the dark area you see when you view the diamond.

To find your perfect oval diamond, carefully evaluate length-to-width ratios (ideally between 1.35-1.50), clarity, colour, and cut quality, focusing on visual appeal and expert evaluations.

The lower the length/width ratio is, the "fatter" the oval diamond will appear when viewing. The higher the number, the "thinner" the oval diamond will appear. A thinner cut can be most appealing when setting an oval with diamonds on either side.

Oval Cut Diamond – Cut Quality Recommendations: