Oval Cut Diamond Guide

Discover more about oval diamonds - the most brilliant stone for your diamond engagement ring.

The oval cut diamond is a modified version of the round brilliant cut diamond but with a longer rounded shape. It was invented by Russian diamond cutter Lazare Kaplan in 1957.

The diamond is comprised of 56 facets. To achieve the perfect oval shape we recommend a length to width ratio between 1.35 to 1.50.

The diamond can be prone to the bow-tie effect, where a dark area shaped like a bow-tie may appear at the centre of the stone. This is usually the result of poorly cut angles, so we always recommend selecting an excellent cut diamond.

The long shape of the stone is popular for engagement rings as it can elongate short fingers. The oval cut optimises carat weight, so lower carat grades will appear slightly larger.