Oval Lab-Grown Diamond 4×3 mm, Loose

An oval lab-grown diamond, 4 x 3 mm, D to F color, VVS clarity, sold individually. An elliptical brilliant cut.

An oval shows more face than a round of the same weight

An oval spreads its weight along its length instead of down into the base, so at the same weight an oval looks roughly ten percent bigger than a round. That's why it's a popular choice for customers who want a wider face without raising the budget.

At 4 x 3 mm, this stone costs much less than a 4.5 mm round while its face isn't much smaller. Worth considering if you're comparing the two shapes.

It lengthens the finger

Set lengthwise along the finger, the eye follows the length of the stone, so the finger looks slimmer. The effect is clearest on shorter fingers or fuller hands, and it's why ovals are more common in women's rings than men's.

Set crosswise, the opposite happens: the stone cuts across the band and makes the piece look wider. The two orientations give two different results, so tell us what you want before our setter sets it.

Ordering and setting

Listed in two dimensions in millimetres because it isn't round. An oval has two curved ends, and those are the load points when worn — the seat must grip both ends, not just pinch the sides.

If you're using a pair flanking a center stone, buy them from the same lot, because differences in length-to-width ratio between ovals show immediately when set symmetrically.

Care

Brilliant cuts have many small facets, so they pick up oil quickly. Wipe with a soft cloth after each wear, and wash with warm water and a soft brush every week.

The two curved ends are the most exposed spots on this shape, even though they aren't pointed like a pear or marquise. Have the prongs at both ends checked regularly.