An oval gives you much of a round brilliant's fire with a longer outline, which is why it has become the most requested fancy shape of the last decade.
The shadow across the middle of the stone where the pavilion sends light away from your eye instead of back to it. Every oval has one to some degree. A slight bow-tie is invisible in motion; a pronounced one reads as a permanent dark stripe. It is not graded on any report, which is why an oval should always be seen in video before purchase.
What is the best length-to-width ratio for an oval?
Most buyers prefer 1.35 to 1.50. Nearer 1.35 the stone looks rounder and fuller; nearer 1.50 it looks longer and more slender. Both are correct — it is a question of the look you want, not of quality.
Does an oval look larger than a round brilliant?
Yes. At the same carat weight an oval covers noticeably more of the finger, because its weight is distributed across an elongated outline rather than a circle.
Is an oval a good choice for an engagement ring?
It is one of the most practical. There are no sharp points to chip, it takes light well in ordinary indoor lighting, and it flatters most hands by lengthening the finger. It also sits comfortably under a halo or beside side stones.
What should I look for in an oval's outline?
Symmetry along both axes. Hold the outline against its own mirror image: the two halves should match. Flat shoulders, an off-centre point of widest measure, or one end fuller than the other are common faults that a certificate's symmetry grade does not always capture.
What clarity should I look for in an oval?
The brilliant faceting is forgiving, so VS2 and many SI1 stones face up eye-clean. Placement decides it: an inclusion beneath the table is far more noticeable than one near the edge, where the setting may cover it entirely.
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