Oval diamond

There are many different kinds of fancy shape diamonds. Among all these styles, oval cut diamonds are one of the most popular picks for most people. From ancient times all the way to the modern day, lots of celebrities, nobles and high-ranking officials love to wear oval diamonds on their fingers or as pendants. Just like other fancy cut diamonds on the market, an oval diamond with identical clarity, color and carat grade will always carry a lower price tag compared to a standard round brilliant diamond.

One big reason for this price gap is the stone retention rate during the cutting process. When craftsmen cut an oval shape from rough diamond ore, more than fifty percent of the original rough stone can be kept and made into the finished gem. This retention number is much higher than round diamonds of the same carat weight. For this reason, oval cuts are perfect choice for long, rectangular rough diamond crystals that cannot be shaped into perfect round stones without wasting too much valuable material.

The oval cut diamond did not appear out of nowhere. It build upon the classic cutting framework of traditional round brilliant diamonds. Gem cutters kept adjusting, upgrading and optimizing its facet layout year after year, and finally turned it into the modified brilliant cut oval diamond we know and love today. A standard oval diamond features a total of 69 polished facets on its surface. The most ideal golden length-to-width ratio stands at 1.5. To put it simply, the best visual effect comes when the stone’s length is one and a half times its width.

If the length-width ratio go over 1.5, a dark shadow zone will show up right in the center of the diamond when you look at it from the top. This dark patch greatly weaken the diamond’s fire and sparkle, making the gem look dull and lifeless. On the other hand, if the ratio drop below 1.5, the oval will look nothing more than an elongated round diamond, losing its unique elegant outline. But if the cutter hits the perfect proportion range, the fire and light performance of an oval diamond can nearly match that of a top-tier round brilliant. It can catch every ray of light and easily draw every viewer’s attention at first glance.

The table percentage of a well-cut oval diamond should fall between 53.0% and 61.5%. The total depth percentage needs to stay within the range of 59.0% to 63.0%. As for the length to width proportion, the acceptable standard interval is from 1.33 to 1.66. When it comes to the girdle, the ideal thickness range is thin to slightly thick. A girdle that is too thin will bring higher risk of chipping during daily wear, while an overly thick girdle wastes carat weight without boosting beauty. Only the thin to slightly thick girdle balance durability and visual attractiveness best.

An oval diamond owns a soft, gentle outline while still holding a strong sense of unique individuality at the same time. It is the ideal gemstone for people who have clear personal thoughts and dare to turn their plans into real actions. Many people from European and American countries notice that the oval shape looks just like an egg. For this cultural reason, oval diamonds carry the symbolic meaning of endless cycle of life and endless vitality. It stands for constant growth, new possibilities and lasting energy that never fades away.

From the perspective of astrology, oval diamonds suit people born under Aries and Capricorn star signs very well. The traits of these two signs match the energy of oval cuts perfectly. Capricorn people are famous for their persistent, tough and unyielding personalities, never giving up when facing difficulties. Aries people are straightforward, warm and kind, always speaking their true mind without hidden tricks. Both personalities fit the temperament that oval diamonds represent.

Besides its rich symbolic value, the special curved oval shape also brings great advantages when worn on hands. Its stretched outline visually stretch the fingers, making the whole hand look slimmer and more slender. For people with shorter fingers or thicker knuckles, oval diamond rings are a wonderful option to create a more graceful hand silhouette in daily life. Even for those with long fingers, oval diamonds can add extra elegant charm that round cuts cannot provide. No matter set in solitaire designs or paired with side accent stones, oval diamonds always deliver a delicate, eye-catching look on any wearer’s hand.