Nothing beats the classics, and this is a sentiment that many engagement rings are fashioned over. While round diamonds often take center stage in as far as brides-to-be’s option, the oval diamond engagement ring can be among the more romantic-looking ring styles even in modern times. That said, let’s take a look at some of the most famous oval cut engagement rings.
Famous Oval Engagement Rings
Here, we take a look at famous oval cut engagement rings in recent history and the influence that the personalities that wore them had on the pieces’ fame. We also discuss the different aspects of oval cut engagement rings and compare the oval cut to other popular cuts.
A Quick Look At Oval Diamonds
Understated elegance, elevated sparkle–these seem to be the traits that oval diamonds possess. Time and again, oval diamonds seem to be content in the background as other more popular shapes like round and emerald became the stars of the proverbial show.
What does history hold about oval diamonds, and why do they possess such allure?
Ovals make size matter
Since oval diamonds also boast quite a larger area on one’s finger, this also becomes a good selling point for many jewelers. Best of all, you get to have this benefit even without originally opting to have a big stone in the first place.
Rounded edges mean fewer nicks
Diamonds finished with rounded ends tend to be popular due to how secured they feel on your finger. That’s why the oval diamond sits on the border between fancy shapes and practical cuts.
On the one hand, it’s a less common shape as an engagement ring, so chances of having doubles within the vicinity may be slimmer compared to round diamonds. Yet it’s also quite a practical cut that takes advantage of some techniques used to cut round diamonds. This means that you get a lot of the sparkle without compromising safety.
It has a history of outstanding oval gems
The funny thing about oval diamonds is that they have been around for quite some time as a diamond cut style. In fact, history holds a number of oval diamonds that have set records everywhere.
For example, the Koh-i-Noor diamond remains among the most famous oval diamonds in the world. Since then, it has become part of the Queen Mother’s crown, but at some point in history, one of the most popular diamonds held this contemporary shape.
Understated elegance shines with other stones
For the most part, the round cut style always shines hand-in-hand with diamonds. The clearer and more premium the diamond is, the more beautiful it becomes.
Yet, you should not forget that engagement rings don’t always have to be diamond rings. And this is where oval cut gemstones can create even more possibilities. The elongated shape of the oval diamond gives a variety or orientation, whether it’s vertically, horizontally, or even diagonally placed on the band.
Three Questions To Ask Before Buying An Oval Ring
Interested and now bent on getting an oval engagement ring for yourself? Here are a few things to take note of as you go shopping.
Are oval shaped engagement rings popular?
Throughout the history of engagement rings, oval cuts tend to be overshadowed by round or princess cut diamonds. If it were to boil down to just one strong factor, it would have to be the intense sparkle and brilliance that the round cut exudes.
It may not be top of mind when it comes to a diamond or gemstone shape. But it definitely brings some pretty memorable sparkles, which continue to attract the attention of brides-to-be.
Are oval diamonds too trendy?
When it comes to trends, it’s safe to say that these come and go. There may be some favorites that last and become timeless in their own right. But sometimes, certain looks and styles seem to grab people’s attention enough to make them last for longer in the spotlight.
This appears to be the trend now for oval diamond rings that many jewelry brands carry them. It can happen when popular personalities or those who bring in a new, fresh look introduce a trend. It may not have been their intention, but it can have quite an influence on fans’ and followers’ minds.
Just because more celebrities now seem to be requesting or showcasing famous oval cut engagement rings, it doesn’t mean that it’s just coming into the spotlight now. Take for example back in the 1950s, when Lazare Kaplan became responsible for creating an oval gemstone shape that could be produced more for the masses. It also became a welcome break from tall the angular looks brought by the Art Deco of jewelry.
Sometimes, trends come from movements. Sometimes they come from people. Nowadays, as jewelry continue to become more personal and more ethical, there are more options to choose from. More than a matter of being a trend, jewelry enthusiasts and owners now have a chance to choose more for themselves than just following fads.
What is an ideal cut for an oval diamond?
Like the round cut diamond, a perfect shape creates the kind of symmetry that’s pleasant to the eyes. With the oval diamond, it pays to know the anatomy of this particular cut.
It has three main parts, two of which are symmetrically mirrored. First, there are two heads or ends, which are the clear ends of the elongated side of the oval. Moving along the ridge from the head to the center is the shoulder. And right in the middle of the oval diamond’s edge would be the belly.
As far as the ideal cut goes, you may want a more brilliant oval diamond. Most jewelers can fit 57 to 58 facets onto the surface of the diamond. This creates a brilliant sparkle that may be close to a round diamond’s sparkle—especially if your jeweler has the talent for faceting diamonds.
Comparing Cuts: How Does The Oval Cut Fare?
The famous oval cut engagement rings may be a more traditional style to rings, so how will it fare with the rest of them? Since it is among the more unique rounded cuts, it’s good to compare it with rounded cuts of a different shape, including the emerald cut, the pear-shaped gemstone, and the cushion cut.
Oval vs. Emerald
If celebrities and those with active lifestyles have something in common, it may be a preference for emerald cut diamond rings. Many people who ask “What cut is Beyonce’s engagement ring?” may already be familiar with the emerald cut and what makes it such an alluring shape to celebrities. Apart from Beyonce, the likes of Jennifer Aniston, Kim Kardashian, and Mariah Carey made the emerald popular.
So, is there a downside to getting emerald cut engagement rings? If budget is a major concern, you may want to steer clear of this cut. Whether you go with a classic diamond ring or a colored gemstone, it’s likely that you will need to have a higher budget to get the best variant for your ring.
Emerald cuts typically shine brighter the more premium the stone is. Its cut style, called the step cut, has a subdued effect on the precious stone. While this cut makes for a more durable ring, the subdued sparkles means that you not only get less brilliance, but any flaws and inclusions get magnified. Some jewelry owners remedy this by opting for a colored emerald cut stone to lessen the visible flaws.
Oval vs. Pear
If you’re going for the not-so-common but delicately pretty shapes, you may want to consider the pear-shaped ring. Also known as the teardrop cut, this shape may be considered for unique engagement rings.
Apart from the shape, its price also makes it an exceptional choice. The cut gives it a bigger appearance, without needing extra bucks for a better brilliance. If your trusted jeweler excels in cutting diamonds, a mediocre quality diamond can end up looking more than its value because the pear shape hides flaws very well.
While it does have a unique shape, some pear diamonds can have its downsides that can break the overall look. For starters, what makes the pear diamond look gorgeous is the rounded expanse of the gemstone. This gives it a delicate finish, and oftentimes makes it look even daintier as it follows the shape of a pear.
Without this rounded expanse, you may end up with an engagement ring that looks almost like a triangle with a rounded bottom. What’s more, pear-shaped diamonds need a specific setting style, because you need to not only secure the stone, but also protect the tip from chipping. This may limit your overall experience of the style.
Oval vs. Cushion
Famous oval cut engagement rings tend to look almost close to cushion cut engagement rings. This happens to elongated cushion diamonds, wherein, instead of the usual rounded square, the body is elongated to make it look bigger. In fact, these two diamond shapes tend to share a few similarities.
Throughout history, there have been a number of engaged couples that have shown their love using this style. Let’s take a look at some of them.
Blake Lively
Ryan Reynolds and Blake Lively have been the sweetest couple since they got together. The ring that marked their engagement also delivered—unique, quirky, and quaint, becoming one of the famous oval cut engagement rings to date.
The light pink oval diamond steals the show, but the micro pave band of diamonds complement it in the best way possible, too.
Hailey Beiber
Justin Beiber’s queen wears an equally regal-looking oval cut engagement ring. The contrast between the big cut diamond and the super thin gold band that it is set on just sets that thin line between classic and contemporary. It’s proof that when the cut is right, you don’t need any other embellishments to bring out a ring’s true beauty.
Kourtney Kardashian
When Blink-182 drummer Travis Barker proposed to Kourtney Kardashian, he did so with a Lorraine Schwartz piece. And while Schwartz was a household name in the Kardashian jeweler connections, what differs here is how hands-on Barker was in the creation of the ring.
Romantic vibes aside, the ring also made waves, being a 10 to 12 carat oval diamond set on a thin band. It seems to be quite the trend—putting the simple and romantic oval cut diamond alongside simple bands to bring out the gem’s allure.
Ariana Grande
If there was a way to make the oval cut diamond stand out even more, it would be exactly how Ariana Grande’s engagement ring looks like. The singer superstar revealed her engagement to Dalton Gomez through a picture of her engagement ring, which was a simple oval diamond and a pearl on a thin band. There’s more to that added pearl than just a different design—it’s actually a pearl from her grandfather’s tie pin. Nothing’s more gorgeous than jewelry that carries significant memories.
Scarlett Johansson
The Marvel star’s ring matches the actress’s personality down to the last detail. At 11 carats, it was already larger than life, made even more so by its oval cut appearance. When fans saw her onstage with the ring, it grabbed attention and headlines, seeing as how the oval shape and the smoky color both do not fall under the typical engagement ring styles. That’s another way to make an engagement ring yours—match it with your personality so it’s truly a ring that reflects who you are.
Kate Middleton
Royalty also seems to hold a fondness for the oval-shaped engagement ring. Kate Middleton said yes to Prince William, she did so with a very familiar yet still different engagement ring.
Of course, prior to becoming her engagement ring, the famous blue sapphire stone surrounded by smaller gemstones first belonged to Princess Diana. More than just the beautiful ring itself, it carries a deep meaning. Breaking tradition—something that Diana has been known to do—she picked the ring herself rather than choosing from the royal jewelry collection
Is the Oval Cut Engagement Ring for You?
The oval cut has its strengths and weaknesses compared to other cuts. However, the slight differences can be a clincher, depending on what you’re looking for in your ring. Those who want to mimic the full appearance of a round diamond, it’s best to opt for a cushion cut that is less elongated, but with quality faceting. If you want a bigger diamond face while keeping the sparkle and minimizing flaws, go find the perfect oval diamond.
Learn about other diamond shapes such as the pave diamond ring. Read our post, “Pave The Way To A Sparkling Ring: Pave vs Micropave.”