“The oval engagement ring is a classic and beautiful shape that has timeless appeal and is universally flattering,” says Guy Burton, director at Hancocks jewellers. Testament to its ever-lasting intrigue, myriad brides-to-be have announced their engagement with a dazzling oval rock. In December last year, Ariana Grande prompted searches for oval engagement rings to soar when she shared a glimpse of an oval-cut diamond on her ring finger, set at an angle on a platinum band alongside a pearl that Arianators believe was lifted from her late grandfather’s tie-pin.
Decades before Grande debuted her sparkling gem, oval engagement rings were popularised thanks to another renowned wearer: Diana, Princess of Wales. Of course, the Duchess of Cambridge now wears the late royal’s former engagement ring, which boasts an oval-cut Ceylon sapphire.
“The shape is a classic with a contemporary twist – and plenty of sparkle, because the oval shape possesses a similar ability to reflect light and maximise brilliance as the round brilliant cut,” Céline Assimon, CEO of De Beers Jewellers, tells British Vogue. “The elongated shape also creates an illusion of greater carat weight and makes the finger appear long and slender, which is very flattering.”
London-based jeweller Hattie Rickards agrees: “They have a soft and subtle shape with almost all the brilliance of rounds, but their elongated shape has a lengthening effect on the finger,” she remarks. “With oval gemstones, you get a better use of the crystal, giving you more brightness and brilliance than in other cuts such as an emerald cut or a square cut.”
Rickards specialises in bespoke engagement rings and has crafted an inspiring offering of oval-cut styles, made in collaboration with either a bride or “in secret” with the groom. “There are so many different ways to design around an oval cut that give it an everlasting appeal; you can celebrate their softness in a solitaire design, you can add a traditional oval halo, or you can modernise the oval cut by setting them into a more geometric setting, such as an octagon bezel.”
Elsewhere, jeweller Grace Lee’s “globe” ring is an elegant alternative to a classic oval-cut central stone. Available in 14-karat yellow, rose or white gold, it features a trio of oval-cut diamonds, scattered across the sculptural shape.
From classic pieces to statement designs, set your sights on Vogue’s edit of oval engagement rings below. You’ll find diamonds aplenty, but we’ve also included coloured gemstones for extra dazzle.
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Jemma Wynne
18-karat yellow gold bespoke diamond oval and emerald engagement ring, POA, available at Jemmawynne.com.
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Tiffany & Co.
“Soleste” oval halo ring with a diamond band in platinum, POA, available at Tiffany.co.uk.
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Bea Bongiasca
Diamond ring set in enamel and 18-karat yellow gold, £2,388, available at Bluenile.com.
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Boghossian
Burmese no heat sapphire and moonstone ring, POA, available at Boghossianjewels.com.
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Thelma West
18-karat yellow gold ring with 4-carat diamond oval centre, POA, available at Thelmawest.com.
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Hancocks London
5.84-carat sapphire and diamond cluster ring in platinum, POA, available at Hancocks-london.com.
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Hattie Rickards
Oval-cut diamond set in double halo of diamonds with brown diamond set shank; 18-karat white gold wedding ring, POA, bespoke designs available at Hattierickards.com.
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Benjamin Hawkins
1.20-carat oval diamond between a matching pair of curved Sarah-cut diamonds, set in a shared claw platinum and 18-karat gold mount, £26,000, bespoke designs available at Benjaminhawkins.co.uk.
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Bucherer Fine Jewellery
Ring in rose gold with an oval-cut yellow diamond and 20 brilliant-cut brown diamonds, £5,400, available at Bucherer.com.
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Pamela Love
18-karat yellow-gold ring with 1.72-carat diamond, £14,200, available at Pamelalove.com.
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Disa Allsopp
18-karat gold and 1-carat double oval diamond engagement ring, POA, available at Disaallsopp.com.
