An oval lab grown diamond engagement ring is a favourite amongst those wishing to avoid the inevitable premium placed on an equivalent mined diamond. The elongated shape is elegant, works well on many different hand shapes and can provide the illusion of a bigger stone when viewed from above the finger.
However, simply picking between carat weights and adding to the basket is not enough. Two oval diamonds with the same grading report can appear completely different on the finger. Length to width ratio, cut quality, bow tie effect, setting style and how the stone faces up will all impact the overall look.
Lab grown diamonds also allow more breathing room when choosing size, clarity and setting to suit a given budget. These diamonds are virtually identical in their crystal structure and physical properties to a mined diamond, but are formed in a different environment.
Before choosing your oval lab grown diamond engagement ring, it is worth knowing what to look out for when weighing two sets of specifications against each other. Firstly, what can be measured objectively, and secondly, what cannot.
Choosing an Oval Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring
Oval shaped diamonds do not have a standardised cut grade for proportioning like round brilliants do, so this is an area to pay particular attention to.
The first consideration would be the overall shape of the stone. There is no one-size-fits-all ratio for oval diamonds, however the majority of buyers tend to prefer ratios sitting somewhere between 1.35:1 and 1.5:1. It is worth bearing in mind that personal preference will greatly outweigh any recommendations that you are given.
Pay close attention to the following:
- Symmetry and profile
- Overall brightness of the stone
- Whether or not you can see inclusions with the naked eye
- The strength of the bow-tie effect
- How big it appears when face down
Although the grading report of a lab grown diamond is always an important consideration, photographs and videos can uncover visual traits that may have been impossible to see with the naked eye.
Check the Bow-Tie Before Buying
The majority of oval cuts will possess at least some form of bow-tie effect. This is where a thin, dark line traverses the middle of the stone from side to side. A subtle bow-tie effect can actually create an interesting contrast to the overall brilliance of the stone.
It is only when this becomes too prominent that it is likely to detract from the overall beauty of the stone, so try to view the diamond in a number of different lights if you are given the opportunity to view a video of the stone.
This is one of the reasons why buying a diamond based purely on carat weight, colour and clarity can be so misleading.
Best Settings for an Oval Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring
The setting can make all the difference between a ring that looks good in a brochure and a ring that looks good on the finger.
A traditional solitaire will always bring the focus back to the centre of the ring, and is a great accompaniment to either a plain or pavé band. An added halo can amplify the overall effect, but a hidden halo can provide even more detail without encompassing the entire oval of the stone.
Four prongs tend to create a more minimalist aesthetic, but opting for six prongs can provide added security, especially if the owner has a particularly busy lifestyle.
Picking the Right Oval Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring Size
It is not always true that the higher the carat weight, the bigger the stone will appear from above the finger. It always pays to check the millimetre measurements on the grading report, as two ovals stones with the same carat weight can look completely different due to their shape.
A 1.5 carat oval that has been cut to look longer and narrower will always appear bigger from above than a 1.5 carat oval that is rounder in appearance and has more weight concentrated towards the bottom of the stone.
What Makes Lab Grown Diamonds Worth Considering?
Lab grown diamonds can provide excellent value, and can give you the option to purchase higher carat weights or better quality stones for much less than their mined equivalents.
Whatever path you choose to take, an independent grading report, impressive light performance, attractive shape and a suitable setting will always be paramount.
FAQs
Are oval lab grown diamonds real diamonds?
Lab grown diamonds are essentially the same as mined diamonds in terms of their chemical make-up, crystal structure and physical properties.
What colour grade is good for an oval diamond?
The overall appearance of the stone will depend on the type of metal that is selected and whether or not there is any colour to the metal itself. Near colourless options such as G, H and I can provide excellent value in white metals.
Is VS clarity necessary?
An eye-clean SI or VS stone can appear just as beautiful as a VS stone without spending extra money on characteristics that will never be visible to the naked eye.
Do oval diamonds look bigger?
They do tend to look bigger when placed next to other diamonds of the same carat weight due to their increased face-up surface area in comparison to other shapes.
Final Thoughts
The best oval lab grown diamond engagement ring will almost certainly not be the one with the highest specification. Comparing shape, size, sparkle, bow-tie effect, grading and setting should be enough to determine which diamond looks the best to you, while still being within your budget.