Login

Cart

Your cart is empty
Why Everyone is Falling for the Oval - Jewelry by Cleo
diamond shape faq

Why Everyone is Falling for the Oval

The Oval Diamond is currently the reigning queen of the jewelry world, and for good reason. It is the perfect middle ground for the person who loves the classic brilliance of a Round but wants the modern, finger-lengthening silhouette of an Elongated cut.

At Jewelry by Cleo, ovals are our most-requested shape. They are sophisticated, effortless, and offer a "spread" (visual size) that makes them look much larger than their actual carat weight.

Why Everyone is Falling for the Oval

The oval is essentially a "modified brilliant," meaning it has a facet pattern similar to a round diamond. However, its stretched silhouette offers a unique set of benefits:

  • Maximum Surface Area: Because ovals are elongated, they take up more "real estate" on your finger. An oval will almost always look larger than a round diamond of the same carat weight.

  • The "Cleo Glow": Ovals are known for an elegant, watery sparkle. They don't just flash; they shimmer.

  • The Lengthening Effect: The vertical orientation of an oval diamond creates an optical illusion that makes the wearer’s finger look longer and more slender.

Finding the "Golden Ratio"

When you are looking through our Loose Stone Steals, you’ll find that ovals come in many different "personalities." The length-to-width ratio is the most important factor in how the stone looks on your hand:

  • The Classic Oval: A ratio of 1.35 to 1.45. This is the "Goldilocks" zone—not too chubby, not too skinny.

  • The Elongated Oval: A ratio of 1.50 or higher. This creates a very slender, modern, and dramatic look that is perfect for a thin-band solitaire.

    Styling Your Oval at Jewelry by Cleo

    Ovals are the ultimate "fashion" diamond—they look incredible in almost any setting we offer:

    • The Ultra-Thin Solitaire: This is the JbC signature. A 1.5mm band with an oval center is the height of modern elegance.

    • The Hidden Halo: Adding a delicate row of diamonds underneath the oval center gives it a "lift" and adds sparkle from the side profile.

    • The East-West Setting: For the trendsetter. Turning the oval horizontally creates a low-profile, "cool girl" look that is perfect for stacking with multiple wedding bands.

    Pro Tip: To make an oval look its absolute best, consider a Compass Setting (prongs at North, South, East, and West). It emphasizes the elongated shape and keeps the silhouette looking sleek.

    Discover Your Dream Oval

    Whether you are looking for a lab-grown "steal" or a natural earth-mined heirloom, Jewelry by Cleo is dedicated to finding stones with the perfect "crush" and character.

    Ready to see them in action? Shop our Oval Diamonds or Click here to book a virtual consultation.

     

oval engagement ring

JbC advice

Oval Diamond 4Cs

Ovals are "fancy shapes," meaning they aren't graded for "Cut" by labs like the GIA. You have to rely on a trained eye to find the winners. Here is what we vet for in the JbC Vault.

CUT (Watch the "Bow-Tie")
Like the Marquise, almost all ovals have a "bow-tie" effect (a dark shadow across the middle).

  • JbC Advice: A slight shadow gives the stone depth, but you want to avoid a "black hole" in the center. We hand-select ovals where the light return is even from tip to tip.

COLOR (Sensitivity at the Ends)
Because ovals are shallower at the tips, they can sometimes show a bit of "tint" or body color at the edges.

  • JbC Advice: If you want a colorless look, we recommend staying in the D–G range. If you love the warmth of a yellow gold setting, an H or I color provides incredible value and a beautiful, creamy glow.

CLARITY (Brilliance is Your Friend)
The busy facet pattern of an oval is excellent at hiding small inclusions.

  • JbC Advice: You can almost always find an "eye-clean" SI1 or VS2 oval that looks identical to a Flawless stone. Focus on the placement of the inclusion—as long as it isn't right under the table (the top center), it will likely be invisible.

SYMMETRY (The "Egg" Test)
The curves of an oval must be perfectly symmetrical. If one side is flatter than the other, the stone will look unbalanced.

  • JbC Advice: We look for "soft" shoulders. You don't want an oval that looks like a "bulky" rectangle with rounded corners; you want a graceful, continuous curve.