Put the Spotlight On the Diamond With An Oval Solitaire Engagement Ring

Oval solitaire engagement rings have been having a moment — in recent years, they've been seen on the hands of celebrities like Blake Lively, Jennifer Aniston and Katherine McPhee, to name a few. In fact, their moment in the spotlight has been so prolonged that they're becoming a bit of a new classic, a slightly blingier millennial spin on the round solitaire. Read on for the important things to consider when shopping for an oval solitaire diamond ring, and for some of our favorite options in the style.

Popularity of oval engagement rings

How do you explain such pronounced popularity? One factor may be this: A big benefit of oval engagement rings is that they seem larger than round cuts at the same carat size.

But this cut's larger table size, and the way it interacts with light, means that the "bowtie effect" is nearly inevitable. Almost all oval cut diamonds have a dark spot in the middle resembling a bowtie. Some think this makes the oval cut seem “imperfect,” but others consider it the ring's most interesting feature — it's up to you! If you want to avoid the bowtie, prioritize cut, and balance the other four Cs accordingly.

You'll also want to consider whether you want a high- or low-profile setting. Consider her lifestyle and hobbies — does she have a particularly hand-intensive job or athletic interests that make the diamond more likely to be dinged? (Rings should always be removed when you work out, but accidents happen.) How functional does she want the ring to be (for example, would she get annoyed if a high-set diamond gets caught on her sweaters)?

Last: Remember that fancy-shaped diamonds, like the oval cut, can hold color in their tips because they're shallower. With ovals, you can still reduce cost by going into the "near colorless" range. Just watch the tips of the diamond — if you're unsure about whether they're being affected, work with a gemologist to find your perfect stone.