In recent years more and more people choose oval diamond shape for their engagement rings. A diamond is a natural crystal that is formed deep inside the earth’s crust over millions of years (although synthetic diamonds can be made under laboratory conditions). Diamonds are very rare and this, plus their unparalleled beauty makes them very expensive. Diamonds are rarely used as they are mined. There are several cuts that are aimed at giving diamonds their shape, brilliance and clarity. By far the most popular diamond cut is the round diamond cut, accounting for over 75% of all diamonds sold today.

The growing popularity of oval diamond shape

This shape has been used as the standards for hundreds of years. The cut features 58-facet cuts, divided among the crown (top), the girdle (widest part) and the pavilion (base) which is calibrated using a precise formula to maximize of the brilliance and the fire. The mechanics of the round shape gives the round diamond a superior shape compared to fancy shapes vis-a-vis proper reflection of light.

The popularity of oval diamonds is from the fact they have the same brilliance as round diamonds. The shapes of these diamonds accentuate those with long fingers. The history of the oval cut goes back to the late 50s and the early 60s where a lot of work was done by Lazare Kaplan. The oval diamond cut is different from a round cut diamond in that the minimum recommendations by most online and offline jewelers are different. If you’re planning to buy a diamond ring online you should know what they are.

Tips for Buying Oval diamond rings

The minimum recommendations for an oval diamond are ‘good’ cut, ‘G’ color, ‘S12′ clarity, between 58% and 66% depth percentage, and between 51% and 64% table. An oval diamond cut can be ‘short and fat’ or ‘long and thin’. The recommended length-width rations of oval diamonds are between 1.33 and 1.66. Oval-cut diamonds are susceptible to the ‘bow-tie’ effect, just like is the case with pear-cut diamond (which are undesirable dark area near the center of the diamond), but the defect is clearly visible and you shouldn’t have a problem making a purchase. One of the greatest advantages of the oval diamond shape over the round diamond shape is the fact that there are different and unique oval shapes while the round shape is only one shape. Oval diamonds that have length-width rations of over 1.6 are ideal for slender fingers and the elongated shapes makes these diamonds seem bigger than round diamonds of the same carat weight.

Round diamonds are the traditional selection for engagements rings, for wedding rings, and for other occasions while oval diamonds are ideal as engagement rings. Given the fact that the oval shape is more difficult to come up with and the fact that diamonds with this shape are rare, oval-shaped diamonds are more expensive than round diamonds. Round diamonds are seen to be ‘common’ and they do not attract the same ‘star effect’ as oval and other shapes. This is the reason the likes of Victoria Beckham and Rebecca Romijn wear these diamonds and it is the reason an oval diamond ring was the choice of Tom Cruise to Katie Holmes on their wedding. Other popular diamond cuts are marquise cuts, pear cuts, radiant cuts, emerald cuts, trilliant cuts, princess cuts, and heart-shaped cuts.

Classic oval diamond ring. Go to Diamonds USA for more details.