HISTORIAL INSIGHTS

Oval Cut Diamonds: A Timeless Jewel With Sparkle & Soul

If you’ve ever fallen for an oval cut diamond, you know just how much charm and drama that shape brings. For us at Jewels by Grace, the oval cut is so much more than just sparkle. It’s about legacy, history, and the way those 58 facets play with the light—each one catching your eye in a different way.

A Little History: How the Oval Cut Came to Shine

Early Origins
Oval and elongated diamond shapes have been around for centuries, with jewelers over the years tweaking and perfecting the cut to bring out the best in antique, Victorian, and Georgian jewels. Getting that perfect mix of brilliance and symmetry took a lot of time and love.

Lazare Kaplan & the Modern Oval
The real turning point came in 1957, when Lazare Kaplan (a Russian-born master cutter) gave us the modern oval cut we know and love today. He took the classic round brilliant and gave it a gentle stretch, keeping all that delicious fire and sparkle but in a longer, more elegant shape. The result? More diamond face-up, plenty of prismatic flashes, and that oh-so-flattering look that makes your fingers look extra graceful.

Why It Became So Loved
When done right, the oval cut avoids looking overly long or skinny, gives you more visible sparkle per carat than some shapes, and feels both classic and fashionable. There is, however, the infamous “bow-tie effect” to watch out for—when shadows can form across the center—but skilled cutting and proper proportions can minimize this beautifully.

What Makes an Oval Cut Diamond Shine

Here are the key things to look for when choosing an oval:
  • Facets — Typically 56–58 facets—this is what allows that brilliant sparkle.
  • Length-to-width ratio — Common ranges run from about 1.3 to 1.5. A ratio around 1.4 gives a lovely elongated oval without looking too stretched.
  • Bow-tie effect — A slight dark area across the center can appear—good cutting, symmetry, and depth help minimize it.
  • Color & clarity — Because of the elongated top surface, small color tints (especially near the tip edges) can show more—better to go for higher color and clarity grades if you want that icy, bright look.
  • Face-up / Carat value — Oval cuts often look bigger “face-up” than rounds of the same carat weight, because less rough stone is wasted. More visible sparkle for your dollar.

Famous Oval Cuts & Oval Cut Rings Worth Knowin’

Let’s make it real—because seeing who’s worn these beauties makes the dream that much sweeter.

Blake Lively — Her engagement ring from Ryan Reynolds features a large oval cut diamond, set in gold by Lorraine Schwartz. That piece has become iconic, frequently cited when people talk about modern oval glamour. Your Diamond Teacher+2ELLE+2

Hailey Bieber — She wears a ~10 carat oval cut engagement ring, near-colorless, set with a simple yet striking yellow-gold solitaire band with accents. It’s elegant, bold, and shows off what an oval cut can do. ELLE

Kourtney Kardashian — Her oval cut engagement ring (rumored to be 10–12 carats) is another example of choosing shape and scale to make a statement. The Wedding Scoop

Salma Hayek — Her engagement ring (from François-Henri Pinault) is a stunner: a five-carat oval-cut center stone, flanked by trillion-cut diamonds. It’s bold, glamorous, and perfectly balanced—just the right mix of drama and elegance. Brides

Historical Masterpiece: The Koh-i-Noor — One of the world’s most famous diamonds, now set in the British Crown Jewels, the Koh-i-Noor was re-cut into an oval brilliant in 1852 on the orders of Prince Albert. Though weight was lost in the process, the re-cut (by Coster Diamonds) enhanced its brilliance and modern visual appeal. Wikipedia

Empress Eugénie Diamond — An oval brilliant of about 51 carats, owned by Empress Eugénie of France in the late 19th century. A true showpiece of history and elegance. Wikipedia

Why We Love the Oval Cut (and Why You Might Too!)

From everything we see and believe, an oval cut diamond is:
  • Versatile — it fits in vintage settings, halo styles, modern solitaires, elegant trilogy rings… you name it.
  • Efficient – you get more diamond face-up per carat, so your sparkle (and your budget) goes further.
  • Flattering – it elongates the finger, balances proportions, and always looks graceful without ever feeling over-the-top.
  • Timeless with a twist of uniqueness — it toes the line between classic (because it still has brilliant sparkle) and distinctive (because it’s not a perfect circle).
Final Thoughts
If you’re considering an oval cut diamond, you’re choosing sparkle with character and history. It’s a shape that bridges eras—from antique glamour to current red-carpet favorites. At Jewels by Grace, we love helping you find that stone that doesn’t just shine—it tells a story. We’ll guide you through proportions, cutting, clarity, and style until your ring feels like you and like it was always meant to be.

Favorite Oval Cuts in Our Collection