Oval Cut

[JuneRose]

Something I've been wondering about for a while... Would it not be possible to "reinvent" the oval cut to avoid the crushed iced/bowtie look it so often has?

What do vintage/old cut ovals look like? Why is there not a AVO cut or something of the like?

I love the elegant shape of ovals but am underwhelmed by the look they have face-on in real life. I haven't seen many ovals in the flesh so maybe I am just looking at the wrong ovals (because I adore some of the photos of ovals on PS).

 

[yennyfire]

Let me preface this with the fact that I know zip about diamond cutting, so I may be *totally* wrong, but my guess is that since ovals aren't as popular a shape as rounds or cushions, it doesn't pay for cutters to invest in cutting them or perfecting an antique oval cut. There must be some reason why so many ovals have bowties...hopefully, one of our pros can weigh in with the challenges of cutting pretty oval shaped stones.

I have an antique oval and I love the fact that it elongates my somewhat pudgy fingers and is different from an OEC or antique cushion. Here's a photo of it.

 

[tyty333]

You can find ovals that dont have bow-ties if you look long enough...some ovals are "Oval Brilliants" and others are "Oval
Modifed Brilliants" but I'm not sure if this designates the difference between the two.

Non bow-tie ovals (IMO)...
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/D-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1398193.asp /* looks like its got some glare on the right */
http://rockdiamond.com/index.php/jewelry/loose-diamond-73ct-oval-shape-fancy-yellow-si1-gia-strong-color-great-cut-r4166

More common round brilliant oval that will have a bow-tie...
http://www.jamesallen.com/diamonds/H-VVS2-Ideal-Cut-Oval-Diamond-1445492.asp

If you look at the plots on those 3 stones (on the GIA reports) you can see that the bottoms are all cut different.

Then you have the beautiful antique ovals which I imagine are the hardest to find.

 

[JuneRose]

Thank you yennyfire, I knew I had seen a picture of an incredible antique oval... That is stunning!! Do you not think though that ovals might be more popular if someone perfected their cut? I don't see them as such an unusual looking cut and I could see them being very popular if they offered the brilliance of a round cut or the charm of antique faceting...

Tyty333 Those links were great thanks! I'm not actually in the market for an oval right now but they were very interesting- I had no idea that oval cutting could vary so much! I wonder why there isn't a standard for the bottom cut? Does anyone know the difference between an "Oval Brilliants" and a "Oval Modified Brilliants"? Is there a set standard for both of those?

 

[JuneRose]

Do the cutting difficulties come from the fact that it is not a symmetrical cut?

 

[yennyfire]

I agree JuneRose...if there were more ovals on the market, especially those without bowties and/or with the faceting of an antique cut, they might be more popular, hence making them more worthwhile to cut.

 

[yssie]

At the risk of sounding like a stalker, I could drool over your photos all day yenny. I LOVE your stone...and that's the perfect setting for it... if there were more examples like yours I can only imagine how quickly they'd be snatched up!

 

[yennyfire]

Aww, thanks Yssie! I take that as a high compliment coming from someone with drool worthy jewels herself!

 

[JuneRose]

I actually saw a beautiful oval in a jewelers window this weekend... I thought it was an old cut at first but when I looked closer I saw that it was rose cut Those chunky flashes definitely blew the classic oval cut next to out of the water!

 

[tyty333]

I actually saw a beautiful oval in a jewelers window this weekend... I thought it was an old cut at first but when I looked closer I saw that it was rose cut Those chunky flashes definitely blew the classic oval cut next to out of the water!

I predict an oval in your future ! I really like ovals. My first choice would be an antique oval but those are few and
far between. I dont even mind a bow-tie as long as its reflecting white and the faceting pattern is nicely gradiated. I dont like when
it goes from highly faceting to 1 single big facet.

Hopefully someday I'll have one!

 

[Dreamer_D]

June it sounds like it is the oval shape you like rather than the modern cut optics of modern ovals? If so, I think you can probably find a very ovoid OMC, not exactly like Yenny's but a similar feel.

 

[JuneRose]

Tyty - Maybe one day

Dreamer - I suppose I was wondering why no one has chosen to reinvent the oval cut really.. It seems like, with better optics, it could be a far more popular choice. Either by mimicking an older cut oval, or finding a standard way of cutting a modern cut oval that would be comparable to an AGS ideal round for example.

 

[Gypsy]

Oh of my close girlfriends just bought a gorgeous OEC type oval that is to die for. I love ovals, including nice modern ones. And I too wish someone would 'perfect' the oval.

 

[Dreamer_D]

Tyty - Maybe one day

Dreamer - I suppose I was wondering why no one has chosen to reinvent the oval cut really.. It seems like, with better optics, it could be a far more popular choice. Either by mimicking an older cut oval, or finding a standard way of cutting a modern cut oval that would be comparable to an AGS ideal round for example.

I bet it is a rough to finished cut piece issue. Ovals are very spready for weight. Cut them better and they will cost a lot more, and most of the diamond market wouldn't notice or care abotu the improvement. Only a small market cares. But it could be a valuable niche, like Jon found with his AVCs for example. Still, when he opted to create that cut, it was because people were braking his doors down to find true antique cushions already. I don't think that is happening for ovals, so it would be risky to offer!

 

[slg47]

Oh of my close girlfriends just bought a gorgeous OEC type oval that is to die for. I love ovals, including nice modern ones. And I too wish someone would 'perfect' the oval.

me too! and the pear...

 

[JuneRose]

Tyty - Maybe one day

Dreamer - I suppose I was wondering why no one has chosen to reinvent the oval cut really.. It seems like, with better optics, it could be a far more popular choice. Either by mimicking an older cut oval, or finding a standard way of cutting a modern cut oval that would be comparable to an AGS ideal round for example.

I bet it is a rough to finished cut piece issue. Ovals are very spready for weight. Cut them better and they will cost a lot more, and most of the diamond market wouldn't notice or care abotu the improvement. Only a small market cares. But it could be a valuable niche, like Jon found with his AVCs for example. Still, when he opted to create that cut, it was because people were braking his doors down to find true antique cushions already. I don't think that is happening for ovals, so it would be risky to offer!

This makes perfect sense. Thank you for a fantastic explanation Dreamer!