Vintage vs Modern Oval Engagement Rings I VRAI (2024)

An oval diamond engagement ring will look great with any setting, from vintage to modern, and it’s not hard to see why.

“Ovals are timeless for a very good reason! The elongated soft rounded shape complements almost any style that you put it in, and that’s why I also commonly refer to the shape as one that you cannot go wrong with,” says Queena Chang, VRAI’s Chief Diamond Expert and GIA Graduate Gemologist. “I find that the shape is just simple enough to pair well with any style, while having some slight visual intrigue to the eye with the length.”

Explore all Oval cut VRAI created diamonds online, or in-person at a VRAI showroom.

What Are the Styling Advantages of an Oval Engagement Ring?

In terms of versatility, hardly anything trumps engagement rings with an Oval center diamond. An Oval diamond has unique characteristics that make it suitable for most styles. It has brilliant-cut faceting, which means it has remarkable brilliance that rivals the Round diamond. It has an elongated shape, which means it will make your fingers look longer and slimmer. It also has a shallower pavilion than a Round diamond, which means it has a larger surface area. At the same carat weight, an Oval diamond will appear noticeably larger than a Round and a Cushion diamond.

All these characteristics make an Oval diamond suitable both for vintage-inspired and modern engagement rings. Oval diamond engagement rings are a perfect example of quiet luxury that represents timeless style not just a trend.

What Is a Vintage-Inspired Oval Engagement Ring Style?

You can recognize an engagement ring with an Oval diamond as vintage-inspired by the level of intricacy displayed in the setting. Techniques like filigree (twisted metal threads create shapes and motifs) and milgrain (small beads of metal used to create borders) signal that a ring is markedly vintage-inspired. A larger Halo is reminiscent of Victorian cluster rings. The Toi et Moi engagement ring, which on a superficial look appears to be a trendy style, has actually been around since the early 19th century. Ovals are very popular for a Toi et Moi set.

What Metal Will Make My Oval Engagement Ring Look More Vintage?

Warmer-colored metals will make your Oval engagement ring look more vintage. Yellow gold is considered more traditional than white gold. Rose gold, historically known as “red gold” or “russian gold” was also a popular choice in the early 20th century. Both yellow and rose gold are now considered timeless and classic choices. Still, if you favor a vintage-inspired style, these metals will certainly enhance the vintage-inspired feel. If you’re worried about your diamonds’ white cast being dampened by yellow and rose gold, consider a mixed metal setting, where the prongs come in white gold or platinum.

What Is a Modern Oval Engagement Ring Style?

A Modern oval engagement ring style is notable for its sleek metalwork and an unobstructed emphasis on the center stone. It’s worth noting, however, that many styles that we define as “modern” actually have a rich history and legacy. One such case is the Bezel setting, which has been around since the earliest documentations of jewelry and related artifacts.

What Metal Will Make My Oval Engagement Ring Look More Modern?

White gold and platinum create a sleek, cool-toned modern look for your oval engagement ring. Yellow and rose gold are considered to be more traditional and vintage-inspired than white gold, even though white metals (platinum and, to a lesser extent, white gold) were largely prevalent during the Art Deco period, used in conjunction with yellow gold. All metals can create a modern look provided that the setting has a modern design.

Unique Oval Cuts for a Vintage and Modern Look

Not all Oval silhouettes are synonymous with an Oval diamond, which combines an Oval shape with brilliant-cut faceting. VRAI’s Cut for You process devised a series of diamond shapes that combine an oval silhouette and innovative facets. These cuts fit both modern and vintage-inspired ring designs, butthe determining factor is the setting.

Capri Cut

The Capri cut diamond shape has an Oval silhouette, but also features step-cut facets similar to an Emerald on the bottom of the stone and a mixture of step and brilliant facets on the top. This uniquely innovative cut garners attention due to the right touch of added brilliance.

Fusion Cut

The Fusion cut has an elongated, rounded silhouette similar to the Oval cut diamond, but has mixed faceting, combining step and brilliant-cut facets. This blended faceting gives the Fusion a distinctive and unique look as well as extraordinary brilliance.

Oval Rose cut

Oval Rose cuts offer a uniquely warm appearance unlike any of the modern diamond cuts. Rose cut features a flat bottom with a dome-shaped crown reaching an apex formed by three or more facets. Rose cuts are named as such because they resemble the shape of a rose bud. The rose pattern on these diamond shapes can vary in complexity; simple Rose cuts can have as few as three facets, while others may have as many as 24.

Book an Appointment With Our Experts

Our experts can show you the wide variety of styling possibilities that come with an Oval diamond.