What's Right For You?
When you begin searching for the perfect diamond engagement ring, two shapes consistently lead the conversation: the classic Round Brilliant and the elegant Oval cut. Both offer incredible brilliance, but they achieve their beauty in very different ways.
This guide breaks down the essential differences so you can understand exactly how these two iconic shapes perform.
Round Brilliant vs Oval Cut Diamonds: The Quick Comparison
Choosing between a round and an oval diamond ultimately comes down to how the stone interacts with light and how it frames the hand.
If you prioritise timeless symmetry and unmatched sparkle, the Round Brilliant cut is the standard. It delivers the highest light performance of any diamond shape.
The Oval cut offers a highly elegant, modern alternative that creates a flattering, lengthening effect on the finger. Because of its elongated shape, an oval distributes its weight across a larger surface area, making it look visibly larger than a round diamond of the exact same carat weight.
Why Round Brilliant Diamonds Are Sought After for Light Return
The round brilliant cut is the undisputed master of sparkle. It was mathematically engineered to maximise a diamond’s fire and brilliance.
The Volume of Facets
A standard round brilliant diamond features exactly 58 facets (including the culet). Every single one of these tiny mirrors is precisely angled to bounce light back through the top of the stone. Because a round diamond is perfectly symmetrical, light enters the stone, reflects off the pavilion facets, and returns to your eye with minimal light leakage.
This intense optical performance means a well cut round diamond will hide minor colour tint and internal imperfections better than almost any other shape. It is explicitly sought out by those who prioritise maximum, blinding sparkle above all else.
The Nuances of the Oval Cut: Ratios and Bow Ties
Oval cut diamonds are incredibly popular because their elongated silhouette is flattering on the hand. Because they are longer, they also have a larger visual footprint, often making them look bigger than a round diamond of the identical carat weight. However, ovals are more complex to cut, introducing a few unique optical characteristics.
Why Length to Width Ratios Matter
Unlike round diamonds, which are always a perfect 1:1 circle, oval diamonds come in a variety of silhouettes. This is determined by the length-to-width (L/W) ratio.
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1.30 to 1.35: A wider, more pillowy oval.
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1.35 to 1.45: The classic, traditional oval silhouette.
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1.45 to 1.55: A longer, more slender oval.
The right ratio is entirely a matter of personal preference, but it significantly alters how the stone sits on the finger and how it handles light.
How to Avoid a Bow Tie in an Oval Cut
Because of their elongated shape, all oval diamonds exhibit some degree of a bow tie effect. This is a dark, shadow like reflection shaped like a bow tie running horizontally across the centre of the stone.
While a subtle bow tie is normal and adds depth to the stone’s personality, a severe bow tie looks like a dull black patch across the middle, killing the diamond's sparkle. Avoiding a prominent bow tie requires inspecting the diamond in motion to ensure light reflects beautifully across the entire surface.
The Effortless Way to Choose Your Lab Grown Diamond
Feeling overwhelmed by length to width ratios, table and depth percentages, or optical light leakage? Then you can take a deep breath.
At The Cornish Diamond Co., we personally hand select every single lab grown diamond used in our designs.
Hand Selected For You
You shouldn’t have to become a certified gemmologist just to buy an engagement ring. We eliminate the guesswork entirely by reviewing each lab grown diamond individually under magnification. We check the exact facet alignments, analyze the depth percentages, and physically inspect the stone to ensure there is no distracting bow-tie effect.
We only select stones that are beautifully proportioned and brilliantly alive. All of our lab created diamonds are IGI certified at D-F colour, VVS clarity and excellent cut. When you choose your ring with us, you don't need to stress over the technical data or worry about making a mistake. You can rest assured that your lab grown diamond has been personally chosen for you.
