Oval Cut Diamonds

The oval cut diamonds dates back to the 14th century, but cutting an oval was very difficult.  With no modern equipment to guide them, nor the understanding of complex math or diamond physics, it took many centuries for the 1 carat oval diamond to get the badly needed overhaul it deserved.  In 1957, the master cutter and cousin to Marcel Tolkowsky, Lazare Kaplan perfected the first Modern Oval Cut.

It was less than 30 years earlier that the round diamond was perfected as well.  With the groundwork established, the Modern Oval cut was cut like a long round, with some obvious differences.  Fifty eight strategically placed facets were placed much like the round.  The challenge was how wide and how long.  What ratio from length to width will maximize the brilliance?  The discovery was simple.  The ratio range that is most widely accepted is 1.35-1.50.  The surprising thing was that personal preference may outweigh the math.  An oval with a ratio of 1.60 has a beautiful long look, even though It may not sparkle as much as one that is 1.35 but it will have an appeal to someone wanting a long look.  Once the diamond is set into the engagement ring it may look perfect in that type of setting regardless of the math.  An interesting point to make is that two oval diamonds of the same carat weight may look completely different.   One may have a long look and the other may have a wider look to it, and yet they both may weigh the same.

The quality of the cut will impact the sparkle and what anyone would look for in their Oval Cut diamond is beautiful sparkle.  When a rough is cut into the oval, there can be noticeable signs that this diamond was cut poorly and you may want to consider and you may want to consider a bet cut oval.  The middle part of the diamond may have a dark area in the shape of a bow-tie. The area can detract from the beauty of the sparkle that a diamond should have.  The absence of the bow-tie offers more light to come back out through the table of the diamond.  Most people will never notice it if it is not pointed out, but once informed the bow-tie will become the one thing you see first in your engagement ring. 

The excitement of the Oval Cut Diamonds is quite simple, it's shape. The long look graces and brings length or size to the hand.   The oval offers unique playful symmetry, unlike the pear shape and wonderful opportunity for engagement rings or custom design work.  Whether you are leaning towards a vintage look for an engagement ring or a modern one, the Oval Cut diamond is a wonderful choice for timeless beauty.