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Oval vs Round Engagement Rings: Cost, Cleaning & More

Last updated on March 06, 2023

When it comes to perennial best-sellers, round diamonds beat out every other shape. They’re classic, they’re sparkly, and they exude glamour. But a new rival in town, the oval diamond, is giving the round brilliant a run for its money.

If you’re trying to decide between an oval and a round diamond, this article is for you. We’ve compared and contrasted them in various ways, so you have enough information to make an informed decision.

So let’s dive in and examine these two luxurious beauties.

 

About Round Brilliant Diamonds

A standard round brilliant diamond has 57 or 58 facets. The table facet, typically the stone’s most significant facet, helps gather light from above, which either reflects back to the observer or directs into the diamond’s centre. 

The crown facets consist of eight bezels, eight stars, and 16 upper halves. Their role is to gather and disperse light to create brightness, fire, and scintillating patterns of light and dark. The stone’s pavilion facets reflect the light back through the crown. All of these facets work together to create the sparkliest diamond cut currently on the market.

 

About Oval-Cut Diamonds

Elegant and sophisticated, oval cut diamonds are unusual enough that they often receive double-takes. Many people appreciate how the length of oval diamonds flatters their fingers. Unlike round diamonds, the length-to-width proportions aren’t standardised with oval stones, so you can select the look you like best. Oval cut diamonds look dazzling with diamond pavé-set bands. Their timeless, iconic shape also suits vintage settings perfectly.

Now that you understand the basics of these two cuts let’s look at a few comparisons.

 

Comparing Oval vs Round Diamonds

Oval vs Round: Cost

Like most commodities, diamonds fluctuate based on several factors, including supply and demand. Because round brilliants are always in high demand, they tend to be more expensive than fancy shapes like ovals. 

Exactly how popular are round diamonds? Diamonds cut in this shape account for approximately 75% of all diamonds sold worldwide. And it’s not just their high demand that increases their price.

When diamond cutters create a round brilliant, they have to discard a large amount of the rough stone. When all is said and done, the average round cut diamond only uses about 40 per cent of the original rough stone. As such, you can expect to pay more for a round brilliant than for any other diamond shape.

What About Ovals? 

Oval cut diamonds use a larger amount of the rough stone than round brilliants, resulting in more value for your dollar. When you compare diamonds of similar quality and carat weight, an oval cut is typically about 25 per cent less than a round brilliant diamond. That’s an impressive price difference!

Oval vs Round: Perceived Size

One of the primary advantages of the oval cut is its perceived size. Thanks to their elongated shape, ovals often appear to be larger than they really are. Therefore, if you’re seeking a large diamond on a small budget, an oval might be the perfect choice for you.

Oval vs Round: Cleaning

Since engagement rings are worn daily (in most cases), they tend to get dirty quickly. You can keep a sparkler looking its best when you clean it often.

Round brilliant cuts optimise light reflections to make them more sparkly than any other diamond shape. To take full advantage of their sparkle, jewellers often set them high above the band with prongs. You may need to use a soft toothbrush to remove dust and grime from the setting’s prongs for the best cleaning results.

Of course, oval diamonds run into the same cleaning issues, although the setting will probably have a lower profile because of its elongated shape. Regardless of your diamond’s shape, check out our cleaning guide for more information.

Oval vs Round: Durability

Like the Trillion and marquise, some fancy diamond cuts are less durable because of their pointed corners. But, on the other hand, with ovals and round stones, you don’t have to worry as much about cracks and knicks.

If you lead a very active lifestyle, however, you might want to consider a setting that protects the edges of your diamond. For example, a bezel or half-bezel design will cradle your sparkler close to the band.

 

Making the Decision: Round vs Oval Diamonds

When it comes down to it, the diamond shape you choose is primarily a matter of taste. If you already have a setting in mind, you might just need to choose a stone that suits it well. Other significant factors could be your budget or your desire for large-appearing stones.

When you find the perfect stone, be it oval, round brilliant or any other diamond shape, be sure to insure it with a JewelCover policy. Our specialised insurance will protect your ring from theft, damage and loss, no matter how far you travel. To learn more, call us at 1300 522 808, or get a free instant quote!



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