Oval vs Round Diamonds: Which is Right for You?
The design of your engagement ring, necklace or other jewelry starts with the shape of the diamond. Whether you are shopping for lab grown diamonds or mined diamonds, round is the most popular diamond shape. Round lab diamond engagement rings, round lab diamond necklaces and round lab diamond stud earrings are classic designs that have stood the test of time. But recently another shape is trending: the oval. While oval lab diamonds have a lot in common with round lab diamonds, with elegant curves and brilliant facets, they have an elongated silhouette that is subtly unique and different. Which is better: round lab diamonds or oval lab diamonds? In this guide, we bring you the pros and cons of round lab diamonds and oval lab diamonds so you can choose the one that's right for you.
Advantages of Round Diamonds
When it comes to timeless perfection, nothing can compete with the classic round brilliant diamond. The most popular diamond shape, the round has unrivalled light performance. That's because round diamonds are cut to dance with light. Round diamonds are like the world's best prisms. Just put a round diamond in a beam of sunlight and get prepared for fireworks. With its 58 facets, pointed culet, and refined proportions, the round brilliant is the result of hundreds of years of research. Diamond cutters calculated the angles, proportions and reflections to craft a diamond shape that would return the most light possible back to your eyes. Rounds are more brilliant than any other diamond shape, with more sparkle and fire too.
When it comes to jewelry design, round diamonds are balanced and symmetrical so they are a great choice for almost every setting. You'll always have more design options available with round diamonds. Since rounds are the most popular shape, they are the default setting for most jewelry styles, from engagement rings to solitaire necklaces to stud earrings to eternity rings. Round center stones also match large and small accent stones and pave accents, which are almost always round. Famous round diamond lovers include Michele Obama, Felicity Jones, and Emily Blunt. According to a survey by wedding website The Knot, 34% of engagement rings featured round center stones in 2023. That’s a 15% drop since 2015 but rounds are still the most popular shape. They are likely to stay that way too, ensuring your diamond will never look dated.
Because well-cut round diamonds are very bright, diamonds with lower clarity and quality grades will still sparkle with beauty. And the quality of the cut of your round diamond can be independently verified. Diamond grading laboratories grade the cut of round brilliant diamonds, evaluating the proportions, angles and symmetry for maximum light return. Look for an excellent cut on that grading report and your diamond will live up to the potential of the round brilliant to dazzle with brilliance.
Disadvantages of Round Diamonds
The round shape only has three potential drawbacks. First, because it’s so popular, it might not appeal to you if you are looking for something special and different. Second, it’s the most expensive diamond shape. You’ll pay more per carat than for any other shape in the same quality. (Of course, round lab-grown diamonds are very affordable compared to round mined diamonds.)
The round brilliant is deeper than many other diamond shapes. That means it looks a bit smaller than other shapes. It also means it has a tall profile on the finger or ear in larger sizes. This kind of high-profile setting can be difficult to wear for some people, catching on sleeves and gloves and scarves. When you see engagement rings with larger diamonds, like the massive engagement rings worn by your favorite celebrities, they are almost always fancy shapes, which sit lower on the finger. Round diamonds have many small triangular reflections, so they glitter with brilliance. Some people prefer shapes with larger facets, like emerald cuts, ovals, and antique diamond cuts.
Advantages of Oval Diamonds
Oval lab diamonds are just as timeless as rounds, with many famous diamonds cut in an oval shape. They have graceful curves like a round diamond. But unlike rounds, ovals aren't symmetrical. They have a long axis and a short axis. That elongated shape has some advantages. It definitely catches your eyes because it isn't a standard round. The slim shape is famously flattering to your fingers, making them look long and slender. The curves echo the shape of your fingernails too.
Whatever your favorite jewelry style, modern to vintage, an oval shape will make it your own. Ovals give you more design possibilities because they can be set with the long axis north-south or with the long axis east-west. The unexpected twist of an east-west oval lab diamond solitaire necklace is so eye catching that it is Brilliant Carbon's best-selling jewelry design.
Oval diamonds add a distinctive personality to engagement ring designs too. Hailey Baldwin, Simone Biles, Blake Lively, Salma Hayek, and Serena Williams all wear oval engagement rings. According to a survey by wedding website The Knot, oval engagement rings have been steadily increasing in popularity over the past eight years. In 2023, 23% of engagement rings featured an oval shape center stone.
Oval diamonds are also shallower than rounds, which means that they have larger face-up surface areas. The combination of the stretched silhouette and less depth makes oval diamonds look larger than almost any other diamond shape. A one-carat oval diamond looks about 10% larger than a one-carat round brilliant diamond.
Look for an oval diamond with a graceful outline and harmonious proportions. Every oval is a bit different in shape: they can be rounder or longer. They can have more pointed ends or be more squared off. Which you prefer is a matter of taste. It’s likely that your oval cut won’t be exactly the same as anyone else’s!
Disadvantages of Oval Diamonds
As you look down at an oval, the dark contrast you see in the center is the reflection of your head and shoulders blocking the light, an effect called the “bow tie.” You’ll want to choose an oval diamond with an excellent cut to minimize these dark reflections and maximize brilliance. Well-cut ovals have maximum brilliance across all the facets, with fewer dark reflections in the center. For maximum brilliance and a pleasing shape, look for ovals with a length to width ratio ranging from 1.35 to 1.45. Because oval diamonds don’t have cut grades, make sure you buy your oval from an oval specialist like Brilliant Carbon to make sure your oval is well proportioned.
The fact that ovals have a long axis and a short axis makes them less well suited to jewelry that rotates as you wear it like stud earrings. If you like to have all your jewelry lined up just so, oval studs might not be right for you. They may point in different directions when you wear them.