Why Choose an Oval or Pear Cut Diamond?

Oval or Pear Cut Diamonds

Two of the most significant trends in diamond rings right now are the pear and oval cuts. Both shapes belong to the family of fancy brilliant cuts.  So, if you’re looking to save a bit of money, you can buy a pearl or oval diamond.  That is especially true at a lower clarity like VS2 without sacrificing too much sparkle. They both create a shape in which the diamond is longer than it is wide, creating an elongation effect, in which the wearer’s finger appear longer and thinner.

Oval Diamonds

Photo courtesy of TwoBirch.

The oval cut became popular in the 1960s and offers a unique alternative to the classic round and princess cuts. They also tend to run much cheaper than those classic cuts.  At the same time, they still give the illusion of a larger diamond than a round cut.  This is because the same carat weight pear will cover more surface area. If you compare a 1-carat round diamond to an oval cut of the same carat weight, you’ll almost always find the oval one to be quite a bit more bang for your buck.

Oval diamonds also allow you to add variety to your choice of stone. Whereas round diamonds are always a perfect circle, oval diamonds come in with a plethora of customizations, allowing you to choose how long and how thin you want the oval shape to be.

A cut with a length/width ratio of approximately 1.35 /1.50 produces the optimal elongation effect. The model depth is between 67 and 57 percent.

Pear Diamonds

The pear cut is also known as the teardrop cut.  It creates an asymmetrical shape with a pointed tip and a perfectly round base. Like oval cuts, they are also typically cheaper than round diamonds despite equal carat weight. The form produces an elegant and unique shape that evokes a vintage feel.  It tends to give off a bit more color than a round diamond.

The ideal dimensions of a pear-shaped diamond are a depth between 72 and 54 percent and a length/width ratio of about 1.55/1.75. These dimensions make sure the gem reflects light radiantly and doesn’t appear too stubby or slender.

The Bow Tie Effect

The bow tie effect?  No, not those bow ties!

While pear and oval cuts create a beautiful and unique ring that reflects your personality and character, buyer’s should be wary of the bow tie effect. If a pear- or oval-shaped diamond is poorly cut, it will have noticeable bow-tie-shaped shadows running through the center of the gem and limiting its ability to reflect light the way diamonds are supposed to.

Almost every oval and pear ring has some degree of this phenomenon, but you want to make sure your ring’s bow tie is as insignificant as possible.

The pear and oval shapes offer unique—and often cost-effective—alternatives to the classic princess and round cuts. To see all the different diamond cuts that TwoBirch has to offer, check out our website!