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Oval diamonds, lab-grown and natural

The oval has the sparkle of a round, looks bigger for its weight and makes the finger look longer. It is also the shape you should never choose from a photo.

Every oval we sell is certified by GIA, IGI or HRD and has a 360° video, so you can check its bow tie, its outline and its sparkle before you buy. Below: ovals in stock now, their real sizes, how to choose the ratio, and what our gemologist looks for.

See oval diamonds in stock Compare with other shapes

01 · In stock now

Oval diamonds you can buy today

Oval

Lab-grown · IGI

CaratColourClarityScore
1.00DVVS198
CA$540 Ratio 1.40

Returnable – 5 days

View details →

Oval

Lab-grown · IGI

CaratColourClarityScore
1.02DVVS297
CA$520 Ratio 1.39

Returnable – 5 days

View details →

Oval

Lab-grown · IGI

CaratColourClarityScore
1.04DVVS297
CA$530 Ratio 1.46

Returnable – 5 days

View details →

Oval

Lab-grown · IGI

CaratColourClarityScore
1.01EVVS297
CA$540 Ratio 1.48

Returnable – 5 days

View details →

Picked from stock by score, 1 to 3 carats, each with a 360° video. Prices in CAD, duties included.

See all 48,144 oval diamonds, 1–3 ct

02 · Why an oval

More diamond on the hand, for the same weight

The oval is a brilliant cut, like the round, stretched along its length. That one change gives it most of what buyers like about it.

  1. It looks bigger

    A 1 ct oval is about 7.9 mm long; a 1 ct round is about 6.5 mm across. Same weight, about 20% more length on the finger.

  2. It sparkles like a round

    Its facets follow the round brilliant, so it breaks light into the same lively sparkle and hides small inclusions well.

  3. It makes the finger look longer

    Set north–south, it draws the eye along the finger. A styling effect, not a rule.

  4. No points to chip

    Its outline has no corners, so it suits hands that work hard. Four or six prongs hold it well.

03 · Sizes by carat

Oval diamond sizes, in millimetres

Typical face-up size, next to a round of the same weight. Real stones vary with how deep they are cut, so always check the measurements on the certificate.

Carat Oval, length × width Round, diameter
0.5 6.0–6.5 × 4.2–4.6 mm 5.1–5.2 mm See in stock
1 7.5–8.2 × 5.3–5.8 mm 6.4–6.5 mm See in stock
1.5 8.6–9.4 × 6.1–6.6 mm 7.3–7.4 mm See in stock
2 9.4–10.3 × 6.7–7.3 mm 8.1–8.2 mm See in stock
3 10.8–11.8 × 7.6–8.4 mm 9.2–9.4 mm See in stock
4 11.9–13.0 × 8.4–9.2 mm 10.2–10.3 mm See in stock
5 12.8–14.0 × 9.1–9.9 mm 10.9–11.1 mm See in stock
  • 0.5 ct
  • 1 ct
  • 1.5 ct
  • 2 ct
  • 3 ct
  • Round 1 ct

Drawn at actual size on most computer screens at 100% zoom. To compare with any other shape, or see it on your ring size: open the shape comparer.

04 · Length-to-width ratio

Choosing the ratio: taste, not a grade

The ratio is the length divided by the width. Most ovals fall between 1.30 and 1.50. Below that they start to look round; above it, slim and long. GIA gives ovals no cut grade, so two stones at 1.40 can look completely different: judge the stone on video, not the number.

A longer oval looks a little bigger for its weight, and a slimmer finger suits it well. A fuller one feels softer and closer to a round.

  • 1.30 Fuller
  • 1.40 Classic
  • 1.50 Slender

05 · The bow tie

What is the bow tie in an oval diamond?

Almost every oval shows a darker band across its middle, shaped like a bow tie. It is where light leaks out of the stone instead of coming back to your eye. A light bow tie that moves as the stone turns is normal and adds contrast. A broad, dark one that stays put makes the centre look dead.

Certificates don’t grade it and photos can hide it, which is why we check every oval on its 360° video before we offer it.

Light, moving Fine: adds contrast
Broad, dark Avoid: the centre looks dead

06 · What we look for

How to choose a good oval

  1. A bow tie that moves

    Watch the video, not the photo. The dark band should be light and shift as the stone turns.

  2. Full, even shoulders

    The curves near each end should be round and match. Flat or uneven ends make the outline look tired.

  3. A ratio you like

    1.30 to 1.50 covers most tastes. Check the ratio on the certificate’s measurements.

  4. Colour at the tips

    Colour gathers at the ends of long shapes. G–H looks white face-up; go higher if the setting is white gold or platinum and you are sensitive to warmth.

  5. Eye-clean, not flawless

    The brilliant facets hide small inclusions. SI1–VS2 is usually eye-clean; check the video.

  6. Think about the band

    A low-set oval, or one set east–west, often needs a curved or contour wedding band.

Natural or lab-grown? The advice is the same: an oval looks the same whatever its origin. Only the price differs, so compare live prices in Canadian dollars with the switch above the stones.

Our advice

“An oval looks bigger than a round of the same weight and flatters the finger. Never buy one from a photo: we check every oval on video for the bow tie, and a light one that moves as the stone turns is fine.”

Jouwell, Montreal

07 · Questions

Oval diamond questions

What is the best length-to-width ratio for an oval?

There is no best one. Most buyers choose between 1.30 and 1.50, and 1.35 to 1.45 is the classic look. Go longer for a slimmer, bigger-looking stone, fuller for a softer one.

Does an oval look bigger than a round?

Yes. At 1 ct an oval is about 7.9 mm long, against about 6.5 mm across for a round, so it covers more of the finger’s length for the same weight.

How do I avoid a bad bow tie?

Look at the stone on video. A light bow tie that moves as it turns is normal; a broad, dark one that stays put is what to avoid. Every oval we sell has a 360° video, and we check it for you.

Is an oval diamond cheaper than a round?

Often, for natural diamonds, because cutting a round wastes more of the rough. For lab-grown diamonds it changes with size. Compare live prices at the size you want.

What colour and clarity should I choose for an oval?

G–H and SI1–VS2 are a good place to start. Colour shows a little more at the tips of an oval than in a round, so go a grade higher if you want it icy white.

What setting suits an oval diamond?

Four or six prongs, or a bezel for active hands. Ovals have no points, so they need no special protection. Plan the wedding band early if the stone sits low.