Oval Cut Diamond Buying Guide

Shape

Excibiting similar brilliance as the round diamond, the oval cut is an exquisite choice for those who like elongated shapes and care for the size. Oval is one of the «unbreakable» cuts because it doesn’t have any pointed edges, which makes it harder for the diamond to break or chip. The diamonds of this shape look longer and wider than many other gemstones because of the surface size.

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Cut

For oval diamonds, proportions are everything. Ovals tend to look bigger than round diamonds of the same size due to its elongated shape. Depending on the ratio and measurements, they can either appear elegant or look like slightly stretched round brilliant. For an excellent cut quality, the gemstone should have the depth percentage in the range from 55% to 63%, with the table percentage ranging from 52% to 63%. The optimal length-to-width ratio for a diamond is from 1.30 to 1.50. The choice depends on how elongated the desirable gemstone should appear.

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 ExcellentVery GoodGoodFairPoor
Table %56 - 6352
or
64 - 65
51
or
66 - 68
50
or
69 - 70
< 50
or
> 70
Depth %58 - 6256 - 57.9
or
62.1 - 66
53 - 55.9
or
66.1 - 71
50 - 52.9
or
71.1 - 74
< 50
or
> 74
GirdleVery Thin to Slightly ThickVery Thin to ThickVery Thin to Very ThickExtremely Thin to Extremely Thick
CuletNoneVery SmallSmallMedium> Medium
Length/Width Ratio1.35 - 1.501.30 - 1.34
or
1.51 - 1.55
1.25 - 1.29
or
1.56 - 1.60
1.20 - 1.24
or
1.61 - 1.65
> 1.20
or
< 1.65

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Oval diamonds with a poor cut quality tend to have the bowtie effect, similar to marquise cuts and pear shapes. The dark area in the shape of a bowtie may appear in the center of the stone from a table-up view due to uneven light distribution in the facets. The only way to avoid the bowtie is to inspect the diamond itself and look at the measurement numbers in the diamond grading report.

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Clarity

Oval shape is great at covering inclusions and blemishes due to its brilliant look and elongated form. The gemstones with SI1 - SI2 clarity grade will still look absolutely beautiful, if the inclusions are on the sides and rounded ends. Is the gemstone is 'eye clean', SI clarity is a perfect balance between appearance and price tag.

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Color

Ovals are great at hiding the yellowish tint, so there's no need to choose colorless diamonds. The diamond can still look gorgeous and white overall even if it is on a lower side of near colorless group. Going as low as I color is a good decision with a smaller gemstone (below 1ct), since they are even better at covering tints by exhibiting great brilliance.

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Other diamond shapes