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3 carat diamond ring: 4 steps to get max bang for your buck

So you want major bling for your ring? I got you. When most people think about a huge diamond, a 3 carat diamond ring is what they’re imagining! This kind of carat weight packs a huge punch, so it’s a great size to go for when you’re looking for impact. However, did you know there’s ways to make a 3 carat diamond ring look even bigger and better? Read on!

Is a 3 carat diamond big?

Yes! The average diamond ring is between 1-2 carats, making a 3 carat diamond a big look! However, not all 3 carat stones “look” 3 carats. That’s because a “carat” is a weight measurement, not a diameter size. That also means that you can find a 3 carat stone that looks closer to 3.25 or even 3.50ct! It’s all in where the diamond carries its weight – whether that be in its bottom, or across its width. I’ll show you how to look for this below!

3 carat round diamond in a ring box

How much is a 3 carat diamond?

At the time of writing, a white, eye clean, natural 3 carat diamond begins around $30,000, and lab diamonds of a similar quality begin around $7,500! Diamonds vary greatly in price depending upon their specific 4Cs (color, cut, clarity, and carat weight) as well as diamond origin (lab or natural)! Even small differences can make a pretty significant difference in price. You can read more about how to get the best bang for your buck, while getting a beautiful white, eye clean diamond here! Once you choose shape, origin, and a range of color, clarity – shoot us an email at care@doamore.com. We’re always happy to run a custom search for you for the best values out there!

Pro tip: Also, you can see some of our recommended natural diamonds here and recommended lab diamonds here (these diamonds have been selected based on maximizing beauty and bang for your buck!).

2.25ct vs 3 carat diamond ring on finger

2.25ct vs 3 carat diamond ring

3 carat diamond ring max bang for your buck

1. Shape

One way to make your 3 carat look even bigger is to choose an elongated fancy shape. Long shapes such as ovals, emeralds, radiants, and marquise look larger than their more rounded cousins. This is because their length gives the appearance of a larger surface area! So, if you’re going for max bang for your buck, choosing an elongated shape can get you an even bigger look!

2. Measurements

Remember, “carat weight” is a weight measurement – so in order to get max bang for your buck, always look at measurements. It may be that you can get a great value by choosing a 2.9-2.99 carat that measures just as large as a 3.00-3.10ct! So, when looking for the best 3 carat diamond ring, set your filters just a hair below 3 carats, and then compare measurements. Check it out:

3 carat diamond measurement differences comparison

3. Go “White, Eye Clean” over Colorless, VVS

You don’t need a completely colorless, VVS diamond to get a big fancy look. To get the max bang for your buck, choose “white, eye clean” instead of falling for the “colorless” thing. G colored diamonds will look colorless face up! And, with the exception of emerald and asscher cuts (that mostly need to be VVS), VS diamonds are just as eye clean as Flawless and VVS stones. Don’t waste money on things you can’t see! Instead, choose G (and sometimes even H!) color and VS clarity, and then put that extra money towards more carats!

4. Cut Quality (Sparkle)

Well cut, sparkly diamonds ALWAYS look bigger than less sparkly diamonds. This is because “dead” stones without much sparkle do not really “pop” from the finger. So, in addition to looking for big measurements, always make sure to learn how to get the most sparkle from your stone too. Every shape has unique features to look for. Check out our round guide here, our oval guide here, and guidelines for emerald cuts here!

Pro Tip: EVERY shape needs even contrast and brilliance. Contrast is the dark background white and rainbow sparkle pops from! So, always look for an even smattering of dark/light in your gem to make sure it’ll sparkle like crazy!

Washed out pear cut vs sparkly pear diamond side by side

Top 3 most popular 3 carat diamond rings

Most Popular: Round 3 carat diamond ring

Round cut diamonds are the most popular shape, and have the most sparkle. So, it’s an easy, classic choice for a beautiful 3 carat diamond ring! Rounds are the most technically challenging cut to get “perfect” as they need very specific angles to maximize sparkle. You can learn how to master those angles and get the best Round 3 carat here.

How much is a 3ct round cut diamond ring?

At the time of writing, white, eye clean, natural 3 carat round diamonds begin around $38,000, and lab diamonds of a similar quality begin around $8,200. Then, simply pick your favorite setting, such as our blingy Mekelle for $1,580 in any color gold!

3 carat round diamond ring

Second Most Popular: Oval 3 carat diamond ring

3 carat ovals look even bigger than their round cousins! That is because an oval’s nice long length gives it a larger appearance. Learn how to choose the best oval (and avoid dark bowties) here!

How much is a 3ct oval diamond ring?

At the time of writing, white, eye clean, natural 3 carat oval diamonds begin around $34,000, and lab diamonds of a similar quality begin around $10,000. Choose a beautiful setting, such as our dainty Diana ($880 in any color gold)!

3 carat oval diamond in pave setting on hand

Third Most Popular: Emerald 3 carat diamond ring

Huge emerald cut rocks are celebrity favorites! Think Elizabeth Taylor, Melania Trump, and Paris Hilton! Shining and elegant, large emerald cut diamond rings stand for high end class. That is because emerald cut diamonds require a higher color (G+) and clarity (VS1+) than other cuts to look “white and eye clean”.

How much is a 3ct emerald cut diamond ring?

At the time of writing, white, eye clean, natural 3 carat emerald cut diamonds begin around $38,000, and lab diamonds of a similar quality begin around $11,000. Choose a beautiful setting, such as our classic Asha ($450 in any color gold)!

3 carat diamond ring in emerald cut on hand

Can you help me get the most bang for my buck?

Yes! We specialize in making sure you get the biggest, best diamond for your money. You can checkout our blog dedicated to it here. So, when looking for the best 3 carat diamond ring, you’ve come to the right place. Email us here, or drop us a line here, and we’ll set out on the hunt for you!

Oval Cut Diamond: 5 Tips to Pick the Best Cut (With Pics)

Oval cut diamonds are stunning and look larger than rounds of similar carat weight! But, because the GIA does not grade oval cut diamonds for cut quality, you’ve got your work cut out for you! In addition to standard oval guidelines, there are extra factors you should consider to get the most sparkly, beautiful stone. In this article, we’ll teach you how to spot good contrast and brilliance, avoid ugly oval diamond bowtie and dark tips, as well as all about oval cut diamond fisheyes!

How do you pick an oval diamond?

  1. Choose a stone with some contrast
  2. Avoid dark or watery bowties & tips
  3. Pick between crushed ice oval vs lively oval
  4. Pick a pretty, pleasing shape!
  5. Avoid fisheyes & odd reflections

Want to know more? Read on!

 

Tip #1: Get an Oval Cut Diamond with Even Contrast/Brilliance

Oval cut diamonds contrast and brilliance side by side

(left) washed out; (middle) even contrast/brilliance oval; (right) too much contrast

Pick an oval cut diamond with evenly spaced “contrast” (dark areas in a diamond) and “brilliance” (white sparkle in a diamond). Yes, you heard correctly! You do actually want some dark areas in your diamond, or else the stone’s sparkle will not show up as well. Still don’t believe me? Think about photographing a white cup against a white piece of paper. Detail is lost, and there’s nothing interesting to look at. Now, imaging that same white cup against a black piece of paper. Wow! Curves, shadows, reflections! The dark background makes that white ceramic POP! Now imagine what it does for a multi-faceted, white-and-rainbow-flashing diamond! In other words, contrast makes your diamond more beautiful, more interesting, and more dramatic!

Contrast also helps to hide dark bowties and tips – which is especially important in an oval diamond (more on that later :). So, when looking for the best oval cut diamond, make sure that your stone has a good smattering of dark contrast amongst your beautiful white sparkle!

Pro tip: Watch the diamond’s facets as your stone turns. Do they stay one color, or do they flash from dark to light? You want the flash, believe me!

 

Tip #2: Know About Oval Diamond Bowties

Too much dark contrast in the center of your oval cut diamond that looks like a black bowtie is just not attractive, avoid it! Likewise, watery, washed out bowties are not very pretty either. You want a bowtie area with even contrast and brilliance (there it is again!) I receive oval diamond bowtie questions all the time, and there’s a lot of misinformation out there about them – let’s get it straightened out.

Oval diamond bowtie comparison side by side

(left) watery bowtie; (middle) well balanced bowtie area; (right) dark bowtie

Do all oval diamonds have a bow tie?

Yes, all oval cut diamonds have bowties. Though like James Bond’s vs Bill Nye’s, some are simply better than others. An oval cut diamond’s bowtie is in its middle, as a result of this cut’s nice long length! Necessarily, oval facets are shorter width wise, and longer length wise. Thus, an oval diamond’s middle will always look different than its tips! It wears a bowtie!

What causes a bow tie in an oval diamond?

A diamond bowtie occurs when width facets are shorter and are steeper than its length facets. These differences in depth and angles cause light to refract differently in an oval’s center vs its tips. So, if a cutter is not careful, those deep center facets can turn into a dark oval diamond bowtie! But there’s hope! Skilled diamond cutters will avoid dark bowties and also include well placed contrast throughout the stone to make an even appearance.

Is a bow tie in a diamond bad?

Yes, an overly dark bowtie, or a watery bowtie, can look pretty bad. The goal is to look for a stone in which the cutter has blended the bowtie in. This means looking for a stone that has both contrast and brilliance not only in the bowtie area, but also in the tips.

engagement rings with oval cut lab diamond and oval moissanite

Tip #3: Oval Cut Diamond Style Quirks

Oh, you fancy, huh? Oval diamonds are considered “fancy” shapes – and for good reason! There’s several different shape considerations and cutting styles to choose from! End (or “tip”) style, pavilion main (I like to call this “star ray”) style, length ratio, and shoulder curve…the list goes on! Check it out:

What do you mean “tips”?

An oval diamond’s “tips” (also called “ends“) are the soft round arcs at each end! These tips can be cut with one larger diamond shaped facet, or can be faceted with several! While I do not necessarily recommend one over the other, two things are for certain: avoid dark or overly colored tips.

Avoid dark tips

Dark tips take away from the beauty of your stone. This most frequently occurs in diamonds with one flat facet on each tip, and very infrequently in stones with multi-faceted tips. That’s because it’s easier to break up overly dark contrast with more facets at more angles. This doesn’t mean you should throw out all ovals with single facet tips – just to learn what to look for. Watch the 360 video of your stone closely – do the tips look dark as it spins? If so, reject it! Dark tips take away from sparkle and brilliance.

Side by side comparison of oval tip comparison

Dark oval tips (left); bright clear oval tips (middle); color concentration in oval tips (right)

Avoid inconsistent color in your oval tips!

Don’t buy a diamond with more warmth in its tips than its center. Because diamond tips are shallower than its middle (and thus have less opportunity to refract light), they often show more color. So, while you’re looking at that beautiful spinning sparkler, take a look at the color of the tips compared with its belly. Are they the same? Or is there a concentration of warmth in the tips? If the tips look warmer than the rest of the diamond, pass. Color consistency is key!

Oval diamond pavilion main (star ray!) style

Ovals can be cut with 4, 6, or 8 pavilion mains (which look like 4, 6, or 8 rayed stars). One cutting style is not better than another, it is personal preference! Some people prefer the look of a 4 ray which has big bold facets, others like the interesting pattern of the 6 (6s are rare!), and many prefer the added liveliness and pinfire bling of an 8 (this is the most widely cut). Check them out here, which is your favorite?

side by side comparison of 4, 6, and 8 pavilion mains in oval cut diamonds

4, 6, and 8 pavilion main diamonds

Oval cut diamond shoulder curve

Choosing a graceful shoulder curve boosts both beauty and value. A diamond’s shoulder curve is the arc between its belly (its bowtie area) and its tips. An ideal oval cut diamond shoulder is soft and curving. However, shoulders can also look flat (approaching a marquise look) or square/heavy (approaching an elongated cushion appearance). So, take some time and look at the outline of your oval. Is it soft and appealing? Or does it feel bulky or overly harsh? You’re choosing an oval for its shape – so pick one you like!

Side by side comparison of diamond shoulders

(left) bulky shoulders; well proportioned oval; flat shoulders (right)

Tip #4: Length-to-Width Ratio in Ovals

Length to width ratio shows you how long and skinny or wide and plump your oval cut diamond will be. While it sounds kind of technical and complicated, it is actually only the length measurement of a diamond divided by its width. That’s it!

What is the best ratio for oval diamond?

Most people say the ideal length-to-width ratio of an oval is 1.35-1.50. Diamonds that fall within this range will not be too round, or too pointy! The lower the ratio, the plumper the oval. Likewise, the higher the ratio, the skinnier! One perk of a higher length-to-width oval ratio is that skinny ovals appear larger than their carat weight due to their length. However, it all comes down to personal preference. Some people prefer rounder ovals (at its extreme, we call it a roval – a round oval) while the opposite extreme prefers a very tall, thin oval (we call his a moval – a marquise oval). These outliers can have a lot of character!

side by side comparison of 1.35, 1.40, 1.45, and 1.50 length-to-width ratios in oval cut diamonds

1.35, 1.40, 1.45, and 1.50 length-to-width ratios

Tip #5: Oval Cut Diamond Fisheyes & Reflections

Nothing is worse than a perfect-on-paper oval that’s littered with random weird reflections. Ok, there’s probably a few worse things, but still, the point stands. So, to get the most beautiful oval, you have to know what you’re looking for. A fisheye is when a diamond’s girdle (it’s very outside edge) reflects awkwardly under its table, making a ghostly white ring. It’s not very attractive – nix them! Additionally, due to their length, oval cut diamonds can show other odd reflections, too. So while you’re watching that diamond spin – look under the table (the big top facet). Are there weird reflections that mess with your sparkle? Pass! The best ovals will have crisp, clean facets showing – you guessed it – even brilliance and contrast.

fisheyes and odd diamond reflections

Fisheyes and odd reflections in oval cut diamonds

Can you help me find the best oval cut diamond?

You betcha! I love ovals – and so does Krish, our founder, he proposed with one! Write to either (or both!) of us at care@doamore.com and we will custom curate a selection of stunning ovals for you to choose from – all with max bang for your buck!

oval diamond engagement ring with halo in white gold

Oval Diamond Engagement Rings – Read This Before Buying

Oval diamonds are my favorite type of diamond. They are elegant, unique, and very brilliant. I know a lot about them, and I proposed with one myself. In fact, the oval diamond and dainty engagement ring at the top of this page is the ring I purchased for my fiancée! So, if you are looking for oval diamond engagement rings, here are some of the benefits of choosing one, as well as very important tips.

 

Do oval cut diamonds look bigger?

Oval Diamond Engagement Rings Appear Larger Than You’d Expect

When most of us think of diamond size, we envision the top surface of a round diamond. However, if you replace that round diamond with an oval of the same carat weight, the oval’s top would appear larger! This is because ovals often have greater surface areas than round diamonds of the same weight. For example, the average 1 carat oval diamond’s surface is 10% larger than the average 1 carat round. This means that you can get a diamond that looks larger, for a lower price.

Oval Diamond Engagement Rings Make Fingers Look More Slender

Because an oval is an elongated shape, oval diamond engagement rings give the illusion of longer, more slender fingers. So, if you’re seeking elegance, you’ve found it! Those with long, thin fingers will also love how an oval compliments their finger.

Round, Emerald, and Oval Diamond Engagement Rings

Are oval diamonds more expensive?

You Should Not Pay More for an Oval Diamond

While ovals are more rare than round and princess-cut diamonds, they are also in less demand. You should not have to increase your budget when looking for oval diamond engagement rings. In fact ovals are typically about 20% less expensive and a similarly sized round!

Round (H/VS2)Oval (H/VS2)
.75ct$2,700+$2,000+
1.00ct$5,000+$3,800+
1.50ct$9,500+$8,200+

 

You Can Get an Oval Moissanite, Oval Lab Diamond, or Oval Sapphire Engagement Ring, too!

Another option for saving money is considering moissanite, lab diamond, or sapphire for your oval engagement ring! That is because each of these beautiful options is much more affordable than a natural oval diamond. Oval sapphires are classic. In fact, Kate Middleton’s engagement ring (that was originally Princess Diana’s) is a beautiful oval sapphire. We love sapphire so much we sell it in all of its different beautiful colors. For example, why not consider an oval blue, yellow, or pink?

Oval moissanite, oval white sapphire, and oval lab diamonds are also stunning white natural diamond alternatives. Each of these options is bright, beautiful, durable, and classic!

Oval Moissanite engagement ring vs Oval White Sapphire engagement ring (bottom)

What is the best cut for an oval diamond?

Optimum Table & Depth for Oval Diamonds

Warning: Oval diamonds are not graded by the GIA for cut quality. In order to end up with a beautiful oval diamond engagement ring, it is important to make sure your jeweler understands optimum oval cut specifications. The below table should help you narrow down your choices. However, never buy an oval based on the certificate only. You really need to find someone that will perform a visual inspection before you purchase the stone.

Ideal/ExcellentVery Good
Table53-63%51-52 or 64-66
Depth57.5-62%55.5-57.4 or 62.1-65
Length-to-Width1.30-1.501.25-1.29 or 1.51-1.55
BowtieNo/Minimal Dark BowtieSlightly Dark Bowtie

Length to Width Ratio is Important

All oval diamonds in our diamond search engine will have a length to width ratio listed. A diamond’s length to width ratio is, literally, the length of the stone divided by its width. So, this ratio will help you gauge how slender or plump the diamond is. A greater length to width ratio means the diamond will be longer and skinnier, while a lower length to width ratio means the diamond is more plump. For reference, a round diamond has a length to width ratio of 1. Most people prefer ovals with a length to width ratio from 1.3 to 1.7, however this is completely up to you. I personally prefer ovals with a length to width ratio in the 1.4 to 1.6 range. Our gemologist, Corinne, loves super elongated ovals!

Oval diamond engagement rings length to width ratio

 

Are oval diamonds less sparkly?

Oval Diamond Engagement Rings are Very Sparkly!

An oval diamond is a “brilliant” cut, much like a round diamond. So, even though a round diamond will have the most brilliance, the oval cut is a very close second! So, oval diamond engagement rings are perfect for someone who likes the brilliance of a round diamond, but wants something more unique.

Your Oval Diamond May Have a Bow-Tie Effect

Most oval diamonds have something called a bow-tie effect. We call it a bowtie, because this sometimes-dark section in the center of an oval looks like a gentleman’s bowtie! All ovals have a “bowtie” as a result of its middle faceting being a touch different than its tips. Specifically, its middle is deeper with short facets, and its tips are shallower with long facets. While most diamond cutters agree that this is part of the beauty of the oval, you do not want the bow-tie effect to be dark or overwhelming.

Because bow-tie effect isn’t taken into consideration when grading a diamond, it isn’t noted on a diamond certificate. So, the only way to gauge how severe a diamond’s dark bow-tie is, is through visual inspection. For example, below is a picture from the visual inspection I performed before purchasing my fiancee’s diamond. As you can see, her diamond has a small bow-tie in the middle. I like this picture because the contrasting black background makes the bow-tie easy to see! And, as you can tell from its regular-lighting photo, once set, the bow-tie effect is fairly small and beautiful.

Slight bowtie (left); Stone after setting

Can you help me choose the best oval diamond engagement ring?

Yes! Since oval diamond engagement rings are my favorite, feel free to ask for me personally (my name is Krish). You should always have your jeweler perform a visual inspection of your oval cut stone to make sure it sparkles evenly and does not have a severe bow-tie. If you’re considering Do Amore for your oval diamond engagement ring, then send us a note here or email us at care@doamore.com! We will assist you in finding a beautiful oval, without a severe bow-tie, that’s within your budget!