Oval Diamonds

Oval diamonds reflects light almost on par with its more classic cousin the round brilliant.  It's a great choice for the girl who wants a slight spin on the traditional and is becoming a more popular choice for engagement rings.

The oval cut was created in the 1960s and is faceted similarly to its close relative the round cut. It typically has 56 facets just like the round brilliant but that may also vary depending on the ratio between its length and width.
 

An ideal ratio for the oval shape is 1.5:1. The problem when you exceed this ratio is that a shadow effect occurs within the stone due to the cut. So the cut has to be exceptionally accurate and well done if you decide to go with a stone that is above this ideal proportion. The oval diamond reflects light brilliantly because it is so closely related to the round brilliant however clarity and color play a more important role with the oval than they do with the round to attain the same brilliance.

Oval cuts display a certain amount of individualism and creativity in the person who wears them because they are often set with smaller diamonds and other stones such as emeralds or sapphires. They are also very beautiful in a simple solitaire setting.

Either way they are almost never set parallel to the band but instead perpendicular, it is their inherent shape, whether they be really elongated ovals or almost round, that brings unique character to the stone.

Katie Holmes, Whitney Houston, and Toni Braxton are three celebrities that come to mind when thinking about this particular shaped diamond.

Again, with this shape and all diamond shapes, especially when it comes to an engagement ring, it's really a matter of personal preference and taste.

Learn about the Heart Shaped Engagement Ring

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