Choosing the best oval lab diamonds is about more than selecting a carat weight and staying within budget. We recommend comparing the diamond’s proportions, cut quality, colour, clarity, certification and overall appearance together. Because oval diamonds can show a noticeable dark area known as the bow tie, cut selection deserves particular attention.
For buyers who want the elongated appearance of an oval without paying the premium associated with some natural diamonds, lab grown diamonds can offer an attractive combination of size, appearance and value. The key is knowing which specifications matter most and which ones you can compromise on without affecting the way the diamond looks.
(Related: Best Lab Diamonds for Engagement Rings)
What Makes the Best Oval Lab Diamonds?
The best oval lab diamonds are not necessarily the largest or the most expensive options. A well chosen oval should have strong visual performance, balanced proportions and a pleasing outline.
When comparing diamonds, we suggest focusing on these factors:
- Cut and light performance: Look for an oval that returns light effectively rather than appearing dull or overly dark.
- Bow tie: Some shadowing across the centre is normal in oval diamonds, but an excessively prominent bow tie can reduce visual appeal.
- Length to width ratio: This determines whether the oval looks broad and rounded or long and slender.
- Colour: The elongated shape can make colour more noticeable, particularly at larger sizes.
- Clarity: Many oval diamonds can look clean without requiring the highest clarity grades.
- Certification: An independent laboratory report provides important information about the diamond's characteristics.
- Price: Compare diamonds with similar specifications rather than judging value from carat weight alone.
This combination gives us a much more reliable way to identify a strong value diamond.
Why Choose an Oval Lab Diamond?
Oval diamonds have a distinctive advantage because their elongated outline can make them appear larger than round diamonds of the same carat weight. Their shape also creates a flattering visual effect when used in engagement rings and other jewellery.
Lab grown diamonds have the same basic crystal structure and physical properties as diamonds formed naturally, while being produced in a controlled laboratory environment. This gives buyers another route to finding the size and specifications they want.
For someone considering an oval lab diamond, the biggest attraction is often the opportunity to prioritise appearance and size rather than spending the entire budget on the diamond's origin.
How to Choose the Best Oval Lab Diamond
1. Start With the Shape and Proportions
Before looking at colour or clarity, examine the oval itself.
The length to width ratio is one of the easiest ways to understand an oval's appearance. A lower ratio produces a wider, softer oval, while a higher ratio creates a slimmer and more elongated shape.
There is no universally correct ratio. The best choice depends on personal preference and the jewellery setting.
For example, a buyer who wants a classic, substantial oval appearance may prefer a moderately elongated stone. Someone looking for a more elegant and slender outline may prefer a longer oval.
The important point is consistency. Avoid choosing a diamond simply because its length to width ratio appears attractive on paper. The actual outline should also look balanced when viewed from above.
2. Pay Close Attention to the Bow Tie
The bow tie is one of the most important considerations when buying an oval diamond.
It refers to the darker area that can appear across the centre of the stone. This happens because of the way the oval's facets interact with incoming light.
Some bow tie is common and does not automatically indicate poor quality. The issue is whether the darkness is excessive or distracting.
When comparing the best oval lab diamonds, we recommend reviewing high quality photographs and videos whenever available. Look at the diamond from different angles rather than relying solely on the grading report.
A diamond that appears bright and lively across most of its surface will generally be more appealing than one with a strong, persistent dark band through the centre.
What Colour Is Best for an Oval Lab Diamond?
Colour selection should be based on the diamond's appearance as well as your budget.
Oval diamonds can sometimes show colour more readily than certain other shapes because of their elongated faceting and larger surface area. This means colour deserves consideration when moving into larger carat weights.
Higher colour grades can provide a bright, crisp appearance, particularly when the diamond is set in white metal.
However, paying for the highest possible colour grade is not always necessary. A well cut diamond with a slightly lower colour grade can provide excellent visual value.
We recommend comparing diamonds side by side where possible. This makes it easier to determine whether the additional cost of a higher colour grade produces a difference you can actually see.
For buyers prioritising value, the goal should be a diamond that looks bright and attractive rather than automatically selecting the highest colour specification.
What Clarity Is Best for an Oval Lab Diamond?
Clarity is another area where buyers can potentially save money.
A diamond's clarity grade describes the presence of inclusions and blemishes assessed under magnification. It does not automatically tell you whether the diamond looks clean to the naked eye.
For many oval lab diamonds, an eye clean appearance is more important than choosing an exceptionally high clarity grade.
A diamond with a high clarity grade but weak light performance may not look as impressive as a lower clarity diamond with excellent visual performance.
When comparing diamonds, check the position and visibility of inclusions. Inclusions near the centre of the stone can sometimes be more noticeable than those positioned toward the edge.
This is why we recommend evaluating the actual diamond rather than selecting solely from a clarity letter.
How Much Does Carat Weight Matter?
Carat weight determines the diamond's weight, but it should not be treated as a direct measure of visual beauty.
Oval diamonds can provide strong finger coverage because their shape spreads across a greater length. This makes them particularly attractive for buyers who want a larger looking centre stone.
However, two oval diamonds with the same carat weight can have noticeably different dimensions.
One may look longer and slimmer, while another may appear wider and more substantial.
When comparing loose diamonds, check the millimetre measurements alongside the carat weight. This provides a better understanding of how much space the stone is likely to occupy once mounted.
(Related: Best Lab Diamonds for Earrings)
Best Oval Lab Diamonds for Different Budgets
For maximum value
If value is the priority, concentrate on visual performance rather than maximum grades across every category.
A well proportioned oval with an attractive appearance, suitable colour and eye clean clarity can often be a more sensible choice than paying extra for specifications that provide little visible improvement.
For a balanced specification
Buyers with a moderate budget can look for a combination of strong proportions, good colour, eye clean clarity and reliable certification.
This is often the most practical approach because it avoids overspending on one specification while neglecting the overall appearance.
For premium specifications
If budget is less restrictive, higher colour and clarity grades can provide additional refinement. Even at the premium end, however, cut quality and visual performance should remain central to the decision.
A high specification does not compensate for an oval with unattractive proportions or excessive bow tie.
Certified Oval Lab Diamonds: What Should You Check?
Certification is an important part of comparing lab grown diamonds.
An independent grading report provides details such as carat weight, measurements, colour, clarity and other characteristics. It gives buyers a documented reference point when comparing different stones.
We recommend checking:
- The laboratory that issued the report
- The report number
- The stated carat weight
- The measurements
- Colour and clarity grades
- Cut related information provided on the report
- Whether the report details correspond with the diamond being offered
Certification should support your buying decision, but it should not replace visual evaluation.
For oval diamonds in particular, photographs and videos can help you assess characteristics such as bow tie and overall brightness that are difficult to judge from a grading report alone.
Oval Lab Diamonds vs Other Diamond Shapes
Oval diamonds are especially appealing when you want something recognisable but less traditional than a round brilliant.
Compared with round diamonds, ovals offer an elongated outline and can provide substantial finger coverage. They can also work particularly well in solitaire, halo and three stone designs.
Other elongated shapes, such as pear and marquise, create more distinctive silhouettes. Cushion diamonds generally have a softer, broader appearance, while emerald cuts have a more structured look with step cut facets.
The right choice therefore depends on whether you prioritise brilliance, outline, finger coverage or a particular jewellery style.
You can explore different options through the Shape Collection when deciding whether oval is the right choice for you.
What Oval Lab Diamond Shape Should You Avoid?
There is no single proportion that should automatically be rejected. Instead, we recommend avoiding diamonds that show obvious visual problems.
These can include:
- An excessively dark bow tie
- Uneven or awkward outline
- Poor symmetry
- A noticeably dull appearance
- Excessive colour that is visible to the eye
- Inclusions that are easily visible without magnification
- Proportions that do not suit your preferred oval style
It is also worth being cautious about selecting a diamond purely because it has an attractive price.
A lower price can be appealing, but the saving may not be worthwhile if the diamond has weak visual performance.
How to Compare Oval Lab Diamonds Online
Buying online becomes much easier when you compare diamonds systematically.
Start by selecting your preferred carat range and shape. Then compare the available stones based on measurements, colour, clarity, certification and price.
Next, examine photographs and videos where available. Look for brightness, symmetry and the strength of the bow tie.
We also recommend comparing at least several diamonds rather than purchasing the first stone that meets your basic requirements.
For buyers who are unsure which specifications provide the best balance, an expert opinion can also help narrow the selection.
You can compare certified lab diamonds by looking beyond the headline carat weight and assessing the complete specification.
How to Get the Best Value From an Oval Lab Diamond
Getting good value does not mean choosing the cheapest diamond.
Instead, we recommend spending your budget on characteristics that have the greatest effect on what you actually see.
For an oval, that generally means paying close attention to:
1. Shape: Choose an outline you genuinely like.
2. Light performance: Avoid stones that look excessively dark or dull.
3. Bow tie: Accept that some bow tie is normal, but avoid distracting shadowing.
4. Colour: Choose a grade appropriate for the diamond size and jewellery metal.
5. Clarity: Prioritise an eye clean appearance instead of automatically paying for the highest grade.
6. Certification: Use a recognised independent report to verify the diamond's specifications.
7. Measurements: Compare actual dimensions, not just carat weight.
8. Price: Compare diamonds with similar characteristics to identify genuine value.
This approach makes it easier to find a diamond that looks impressive without paying for specifications that have limited visual impact.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Oval Lab Diamonds
The best oval lab diamonds combine an attractive shape, strong visual performance and specifications that make sense for your budget. There is no single colour, clarity or length to width ratio that is perfect for everyone.
Instead, we recommend judging each diamond as a complete package. Pay particular attention to the oval's outline, proportions and bow tie, then consider colour, clarity, certification and price.
When you compare diamonds this way, it becomes much easier to identify the stone that offers the right balance of beauty, size and value for your jewellery.