With every purchase over $2500.
Oval Cut Diamond
What is the oval cut diamond?
The oval cut diamond is a variation of the hugely popular round brilliant cut diamond. Provided it is well proportioned, the oval cut diamond can produce a strikingly beautiful shape and provide great scintillation (sparkling flashes).
The brilliance of the oval cut diamond is similar to the brilliance of the round brilliant cut diamond. The oval cut diamond can differ in shape, with long, thin ovals and short and fat ones. The shape of oval cut diamond you choose depends entirely upon your preferences. A short and fat oval cut diamond will give the illusion of a softer diamond, whereas a long and thin oval cut diamond will make the diamond look sharper.
For the oval cut diamond, the aspect ratio of length to width should always be around 1.5:1.
When you are choosing an oval cut diamond, be sure to choose the highest grade, cut and colour that you can afford. This is because the bow tie effect can be apparent in an oval cut diamond. The bow tie effect refers to a dark, bow tie shape area across the width of the diamond. This will decrease the value of the diamond and dull the brilliance and beauty of the oval cut diamond.
What is the history of the oval cut diamond?
According to written history, the first mention of an oval cut stone was in 1304 and it was called the Koh-I-Noor diamond. It weighed 186 carats and was oval cut and in the sixteenth century it was captured by the Rajahs of Malwa. It is believed it was set in the famous Peacock Throne which was made for Shah Jehan.
More famously though, in 1830 in London there was a 44.52 carat oval cut diamond in a deep blue colour. Henry Hope bought the stone and ever since it has been referred to as the Hope Diamond.
The oval cut diamond shape was developed over many years, but in earlier times they were frequently perforated through the top, enabling them to be worn suspended, e.g. as a pendant stone.
