Oval diamonds are a popular choice for engagement rings and wedding bands, admired for their enduring beauty and versatility in various settings. 

Delving into their unwavering appeal, we sat down with our Creative Director and Gemologist Sarah Munro FGAA, to discuss what makes oval-shaped diamonds so special.

“Oval engagement rings exude elegance. The classic and distinct elongated shape has a timeless sophistication,” explains Sarah. “While round diamonds are a more traditional choice, the oval shape is distinctive; it will appeal to those who seek something slightly different yet undeniably elegant.”

"One of the remarkable features of an oval diamond is the ability to appear larger compared to round diamonds of the same carat weight. The elongated shape accentuates proportions, giving the illusion of a larger stone".

Ovals are incredibly versatile and can be set in various styles, from classic solitaires to our signature Suspense setting, the centre stone as a trilogy or our poetic engagement collection, ARIA. “Oval diamonds are not just visually appealing; they are also flattering," Sarah adds. "Their elongated shape can create the illusion of longer, slender fingers, enhancing the wearer's hand," 

Similar to round diamonds, the ovals we select at SARAH & SEBASTIAN are brilliant cut, maximising their light performance. This faceting pattern allows light to dance within the stone, creating a beautiful scintillation that adds to the overall allure of oval engagement rings.

During an engagement appointment at SARAH & SEBASTIAN, a Diamond Specialist will take you through our quality parameters, explaining how we handpick our natural diamonds, the importance of diamond cut, colour, clarity and carat, as well as discussing your specific requirements.

WHAT TO LOOK FOR WHEN SOURCING AN OVAL DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING

Avoid The 'Bow-tie' Effect

When sourcing a natural oval diamond, it is important to consider the ‘bow-tie’ effect. This is a dark, bow-tie-shaped shadow that appears across the centre of some diamonds, especially in certain fancy shapes like ovals. You cannot avoid a bow-tie completely for elongated stones, particularly ovals. It's more about finding one that is not too pronounced, dark or big.

A SARAH & SEBASTIAN diamond specialist inspects the details of every diamond from various angles, analysing the diamond closely to ensure we select a natural stone with minimal bow-tie effect. Our specialists also avoid extremely shallow or deep oval diamonds which are more prone to bow-tie shadows. Well-cut diamonds minimise the changes of a prominent shadow and we look for a very good to excellent cut for ovals. 

Optimal Light Performance

Diamond scintillation refers to the play of light and dark areas within a diamond as it moves—also known as sparkle. Scintillation occurs because of the diamond's facets and their ability to reflect and refract light. When sourcing oval diamonds we look for two main components:

Fire: Fire is the dispersion of light into its spectral colours (rainbow hues) and happens when light exits the diamond.

Brilliance: Brilliance is the overall brightness of the diamond, resulting from the white light returned to the observer's eye.

YELLOW GOLD, WHITE GOLD, OR PLATINUM AND OVAL DIAMONDS

The precious alloy of your engagement ring or wedding band comes down to personal preference. Yellow gold has a warm, golden hue, which creates a beautifully bold contrast against the brilliance of a white oval diamond. White gold or platinum settings, on the other hand, are complimentary to the diamond; since they are closer in colour to the stone, the claws appear to disappear, which emphasises the diamond. 

SELECTING YOUR WEDDING BAND

Choosing a wedding band to complement an oval-cut engagement ring involves and number of considerations, including the ring style, your personal preferences, and the level of symmetry you desire. Here are some popular options that tend to pair well with oval-cut engagement rings:

If your oval engagement ring is elaborate or has a unique design, a simple round wedding band can provide a complementary pairing. The understated elegance of a plain band can accentuate the beauty of your engagement ring without overshadowing it.

Alternatively, a diamond wedding band can complement the sparkle of an oval-cut diamond engagement ring. You can match the diamonds on the wedding band to the centre stone, creating a cohesive effect. Our Oval Salt Drop Ring is another beautiful alternative; featuring a cove that dips to a point, it is designed to fit together effortlessly with an oval solitaire diamond engagement ring.

If you’re looking for more of a standout piece, our Salt Oval Diamond Ring I and Salt Oval Diamond Ring II provide an elevated modern wedding band to pass down for generations. This design features a uniform cluster of oval diamonds that can be set either vertically or horizontally, along an 18-karat gold band.

THE SARAH & SEBASTIAN POINT OF DIFFERENCE

The diamond serves as the foundation for every Sarah & Sebastian engagement ring. Prioritising 'cut' when hand selecting each stone, we only work with the most exceptional responsible GIA-graded natural diamonds, which have been uniquely formed over millions of years.

Under the guidance of Creative Director and Gemologist Sarah Munro FGAA, we meticulously craft each engagement ring in our Sydney studio, bringing your unique story to life with care and precision. Your dedicated Diamond Specialist will be your trusted guide throughout the journey, from the moment you step into our intimate engagement suites, through to design and production. 

THE ENGAGEMENT EXPERIENCE 

Handcrafted by our master jewellers, each engagement ring is a marriage of original design and precision Australian craftsmanship. A ring will take roughly eight weeks to craft, from initial consultation to diamond sourcing and the finished piece arriving in your hands.

During your appointment, a Diamond Specialist will take you through our quality parameters, how we handpick our diamonds, the importance of diamond cut, colour, clarity and carat, as well as discuss quotes according to your specific requirements including design, ring size, claw number and chosen alloy.

Hosted in one of our private engagement suites at our Strand, Brisbane, Mosman or Armadale stores, or virtually, our engagement consultations are an opportunity to learn about our considered design ethos, explore our signature offering, and create your perfect engagement ring. Discover the full engagement experience and book an appointment with a diamond specialist here.

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