The Ultimate Guide to Round vs Oval Cut Diamonds
Both round and oval shaped diamonds have existed since as early as the 17th century. Today's round and oval brilliants, however, are products of the 20th century.
This is the right place if you need help choosing between a round diamond and an oval diamond for your engagement ring. They may appear to be slightly different, but there's a lot to learn about how they compare.
Ultimately, your budget and personal preferences will determine which shape you choose. Below, round versus oval diamonds are thoroughly compared in detail so you can confidently make a choice that you'll be happy with for many years to come.
An Introduction to Oval Cuts
With their effortless grace and elegance,
oval cut diamonds are the ideal choice for any woman. In addition to flattering the hand, their elongated fancy shapes give them an impressive face-up appearance.
Oval cut loose diamonds don't have standardized length-to-width ratios; this allows the proportions to be chosen according to personal preference.
An oval shape makes an excellent choice for an engagement ring because it is both versatile and durable. A diamond "halo" may be added to rings with oval cut centers, emphasizing their distinctive shape even more.
A. Jaffe MES867 Diamond Engagement Ring
Adding a pave setting enhances the overall look of the oval cut, making it that much more dazzling and elegant.
All About Round Cuts
It is no secret that
round cut diamonds remain the most popular choices for fine jewelry. Round cut diamonds have an impressive history. As far as diamond cuts are concerned, round cut diamonds, and especially round cut engagement rings, are the top sellers in the jewelry industry.
No other shape compares to the round brilliant in terms of pure optics and light performance. The round cut is highly flattering on both classic and contemporary engagement rings, complementing both styles in a seamless way.
As a timeless classic, round cuts have stood the test of time. When demand for ideal cut diamonds emerged, Japanese diamond cutters became obsessed with optimizing diamonds and achieving a pattern of
Hearts and Arrows facet reflections. A perfect hearts and arrows pattern is visual proof that all the diamond’s facets are in precise 3D alignment.
Danhov LE104 Halo Solitaire Engagement Ring
To this end, they developed a tool to visualize these patterns called the Hearts & Arrows viewer. There are eight arrows visible through the table, and eight hearts visible through the pavilion. Only specialized manufacturers can achieve this level of precision in diamond cutting since it takes so much time and skill.
Round diamonds have the most remarkable ability to maximize light performance due to the symmetry of their geometry. In the right hands, there is no shape that can produce more fire and brilliance than one crafted with precision.
Round vs Oval Cut Diamond: Which Is Right For You?
The definitive comparison of oval and round diamonds breaks down the details you need to know. Below we’ve provided insights depending on what you wish to prioritize for your diamond, so you can decide which one is right for you.
Color:
Color is one of the 4Cs to consider when buying oval diamonds. An oval diamond may concentrate color at the ends of the stone depending on its facet arrangement and proportions.
As a result, fancy color diamonds are often cut in oval shapes to intensify the color due to longer light ray paths.
The importance of this factor should not be underestimated, especially when considering an oval in the near-colorless range or lower, and particularly if you are highly sensitive to color.
It is possible to see the body color of an oval of the same color grade in the face-up view, which is not necessarily the case for a round. As a result, you can get away with a lower color grade when choosing a round diamond than you can when it comes to ovals.
Even though round brilliants cost more in general, you may not need to get such a high color grade. The color grade matters more with oval diamonds, especially in the lower “near-colorless” range.
Size Appearance:
It has been debated whether or not an oval looks bigger than a round of comparable weight. Many people believe the ovals look larger because they are 'stretched.' In reality, the ovals are only slightly larger by about 0.1%. The difference is almost negligible.
The real difference between round diamonds and oval diamonds may lie in the actual
light performance of the diamonds. Round brilliants have almost perfectly symmetrical facet configurations, so when they are ideally proportioned and cut with precision (such as the
A CUT ABOVE®), they can reflect more bright light into the eye, thus making them appear larger.
Concealing Inclusions:
A round diamond and an oval diamond both have a brilliant appearance that makes them perfect for concealing inclusions and blemishes. Due to their faceting, ovals, especially, are very effective at hiding inclusions and blemishes. Just be sure the inclusions aren't too close to the girdle, as this will increase the chances of the diamond chipping over time.
An oval diamond, however, has a specific characteristic shared with other elongated shapes, that requires attention: the bow-tie effect. This is a visible shadow that spans the diamond's center width. A large bow tie is something to be avoided as it tends to create darkness in the middle.
Bow Tie Effect in an Oval Cut Diamond
Sparkle:
A diamond's sparkle is an unmistakable flash of brilliance, fire, and scintillation that erupts from the stone with every movement. Among all diamond shapes and cuts, the round cut has the most sparkle due to its faceting structure and concentrated shape, assuming it is well cut.
In order to maximize the brilliance, scintillation, and fire of round cut diamonds, diamond cutters, jewelers, and experts have refined precise mathematical equations over decades.
Well-cut round diamonds have the greatest capacity for maximizing light performance because of their symmetry. With proven optics of the highest order, the
A CUT ABOVE® Round Hearts and Arrows Super Ideal Diamond, fully demonstrates the almost limitless potential of a round diamond.
Versatility:
The versatility of both round and oval diamonds cannot be overstated. Their versatility makes them a great choice for any jewelry, although the round brilliant is a little more versatile due to its ability to be used as an accent stone.
Due to the absence of sharp edges or corners in oval and round brilliant diamonds, those diamonds are more difficult to chip or damage. By choosing one of these shapes, you won't need to take extra precautions to protect the stone in your ring setting, such as extra prongs or large v-tip prongs. This will allow more of the diamond to show.
Rounds, and to a lesser extent ovals, are available in a huge number of beautiful setting styles.
Price:
The 4 C's are the basis for all natural diamond pricing systems. Natural diamond prices increase geometrically as diamonds get larger, quality for quality. Choosing the appropriate Cut quality is the most important factor, and can be the most difficult part of the calculus, particularly for ovals which have more variables.
The price of oval diamonds is lower than the price of comparable round brilliants of similar size and quality. However, finding a great oval deal can be challenging, since cut quality is very important, and listings rarely provide this information.
Buying an oval cut diamond may result in a more appealing price, but it may also take more time to find one that checks all the boxes.
Our focus at Whiteflash is on ideal and super ideal round cut diamonds, and we have a large inventory of fully vetted and
in-stock diamonds on hand.
The diamonds in our exclusive categories (A CUT ABOVE®, Expert Selection, and Precision Lab) are only available at Whiteflash.
We also provide customers with a full range of shapes through our
Other Diamonds category, where they can take advantage of both our expertise in light performance as well as our team's thorough gemological vetting.
Diamonds will never go out of style, whether they are round or oval, or
any other shape you prefer. Whether it's by phone, email, or chat, friendly and knowledgeable Whiteflash diamond consultants are always ready to help you find exactly the diamond that you've been looking for.
IN STOCK DIAMONDS
1.088 F VS1 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$7,950
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1.098 F VS1 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$7,950
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1.107 F VS1 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$7,995
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1.108 F VS1 Round Ideal
A CUT ABOVE®
$7,995
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How About Lab Grown Oval and Round Diamonds?
Shopping for a diamond, whether for an engagement ring or a timeless gift, often leads to the decision between lab-grown and natural diamonds. Lab-grown diamonds have transformed the market in recent years. They are real diamonds, with essentially the same chemical, physical and optical properties as natural diamonds diamonds. They offer the same brilliance and beauty when cut to the highest standards.
The real appeal lies in affordability: lab-grown round and oval diamonds can cost far less than their natural counterparts. This price advantage allows buyers to access a larger stone, higher clarity, better color within their budget, or to get a name brand designer setting.
Round lab diamonds still tend to cost a little more than oval lab diamonds, but the price difference is far narrower, thanks to the abundant supply of
lab diamonds.
LAB GROWN DIAMONDS
1.01 D VVS2 Oval Ideal
Precision Lab Diamond
$950
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1.01 E VVS2 Oval Ideal
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1.01 D VS1 Oval Ideal
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$775
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1.01 E VS1 Oval Ideal
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$750
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The Long-Term View Resale Value vs Sentimental Value
It’s crucial to understand the resale implications. Natural diamonds, particularly high-performance ones like Whiteflash’s
A CUT ABOVE® Super Ideal, tend to have greater retained value over time. That’s partly due to the enduring scarcity and desirability of natural stones, and the difficulty in crafting a diamond to exacting specifications.
Lab-grown diamonds, while stunning and increasingly accepted, have little or no retained value because of limitless supply. The lab diamond market is expanding rapidly, and as production grows, prices may continue to fall. This is great for consumers now, but not for resale.
However, for those buying with the intention of celebrating an occasion with a sparkling diamond, lab-grown diamonds are clearly the affordable choice.
Related Reading
Oval vs Round Diamond Which One Should You Buy?
Round Diamonds - The Brilliance Standard
With their classic shape and stunning light performance, round diamonds are the most popular diamond shape for engagement rings. Their timeless appeal and unmatched sparkle make them a safe yet stunning choice for any ring style.
Round diamonds have 57 facets (58 with a culet facet) that are expertly arranged to maximize the diamond’s brilliance and fire when cut with precision. They can reflect light like no other shape, and for that reason, they’re the go-to choice for couples who want the brightest and most fiery diamond.
Oval Diamonds - The Elongated Alternative
Oval diamonds fall into the category of fancy-shaped diamonds, but they share facet structure similarities to the round brilliant cut. This means that like rounds, they can also possess incredible sparkle and brilliance.
Oval diamonds are essentially a round diamond that’s been stretched and elongated. This unique shape also creates a stunning visual effect that many couples love. Ovals can make fingers appear longer and slimmer, giving them a sophisticated look.
They can also look somewhat larger than round diamonds of the same carat weight, providing a bigger look for a smaller price. You can compare oval to other shapes like the
Princess Cut to see which fits your style best.
Related Reading
Find your Dream Engagement Ring and Loose Diamonds at Whiteflash Today!
When it comes to selection and quality, Whiteflash is second to none. We offer an extensive collection of certified loose diamonds, including natural,
A CUT ABOVE® Super Ideal diamonds, as well as precision cut lab-grown options.
Beyond our diamonds, our stunning collection of designer engagement rings and fine jewelry from elite names like
Tacori and
Verragio. With helpful diamond search tools,
high-definition imaging, and detailed grading reports, customers can compare, evaluate, and understand their options before making a purchase.
Our GIA-trained team at Whiteflash is available to guide you throughout the selection process, ensuring access to our premium inventory and expert guidance.
Related Reading
- Are Engagement and Wedding Rings Different
- Different Types of Engagement Rings
- How to Choose an Engagement Ring to Suit Your Hand
- Best Place To Buy Diamond Earrings Online
- Different Stones for Engagement Rings
- Best Place To Buy A Lab Grown Diamond