When you’re shopping for an engagement ring, it can feel overwhelming. There is a lot of choice and everyone will have an opinion about what stones you should choose and what cut they should have.
That’s why we’re going to take a deep-dive into oval cut engagement rings to help you better understand what this means in real terms and why this could be the right choice for your proposal.
What is an oval cut diamond?
As their name suggests, oval cut diamonds are oval in shape. However, not all ovals are equal.
Oval cut diamonds can be cut in different ratios and these produce different effects with the stone. So, if you want an oval diamond that looks more round, you’d choose one with a smaller length-to-width ratio.
For instance, this might mean a diamond that has a ratio of 1.20:1 to 1.29:1. Diamonds cut to a ratio of 1.30:1 to 1.40:1 are more obviously elongated in shape and are likely to offer many of the benefits of this shape that we’ll discuss shortly.
The most common oval diamond cut is a ratio of 1.41:1 to 1.50:1, where the diamond is in a longer oval shape which is often slimming on the finger.
While diamonds can be cut into longer ovals than this, when you do so you risk exaggerating the “bow-tie effect” in the stone. This is where there appears to be a dark shape in the centre of the diamond which is caused when light to the stone is blocked.
How many facets are there in an oval cut diamond?
The facets in a diamond refers to the number of flat, polished surfaces on a stone. It is these that give a diamond its sparkle.
Most oval diamonds are cut in what’s known as the “brilliant” faceting style, which means the diamond will have 57 or 58 facets.
What’s more, in a brilliant cut diamond, the facets are typically triangular or kite-shaped. This is why diamond cutting is an art in and of itself, before you even get to the stage of jewellery design.
But it’s not only the number of facets that make a stone shine. The symmetry, proportions and polish also play a role in how much a diamond glints in the light.
Why choose an oval cut diamond engagement ring?
One of the main benefits of an oval cut diamond over a round cut diamond is that the oval shape produces a larger surface area on the top of the stone. This makes it appear larger than a round cut diamond of the same carat.
As a shape, oval diamonds are also very flattering on the hand as they can make the finger on which they’re worn look longer and slimmer.
That said, oval diamonds are also versatile in that they can be set either length ways or width ways in the band. This produces rings with very different characteristics. An oval diamond that is set width ways, for instance, won’t produce the same slimming effect as a length way set stone.
Finally, the rounded edges of an oval cut diamond also make it less prone to chipping and avoid any sharp edges that might catch on clothing. This makes them comfortable to wear day to day, which is the kind of quality you want in an engagement ring.
Are oval cut diamonds a good choice for engagement rings?
Oval cut is the second most popular shape for a stone in an engagement ring, after round cut stones, according to The Knot Real Weddings Study 2026. In fact, oval cut stones accounted for 25 per cent of all engagement rings.
Many celebrities have chosen oval cut diamond engagement rings too. Kourtney Kardashian has a classic oval cut diamond ring, for instance. Lady Gaga, Hailey Bieber and Phoebe Tonkin are among the other famous faces to have received classic oval cut diamond engagement rings.
Ariana Grande, on the other hand, received an engagement ring from Dalton Gomez, which combined an oval cut diamond with a pearl in an unusual arrangement.
Then there is Blake Lively’s blush pink oval cut diamond that is set on a delicate rose gold and diamond accented band.
Ultimately, you’ll be in good company if you choose an oval cut diamond for your engagement ring, while this shape of diamond has been popular for decades which means it will bring timeless elegance no matter how long you are wearing it for.