The Bow Tie Effect in Oval Diamonds

Posted on June 11, 2015 by Mary Hood | 0 Comments

Oval diamonds have a special charm—they’re quite brilliant (re: sparkly), and, when featured as the solitary stone on a ring, they can give the impression of elongated, more slender fingers. When shopping for this fancy-cut stone, however, there’s an important feature to keep in mind: The Bow Tie Effect.

Simply put, a bow tie in an oval diamond looks like a man’s dark bow tie sitting in the center of the stone. It occurs when center facets of the stones obscure light reflection. These black patches in an oval stone aren’t all bad, however. Some bow tie effect will be present in any fancy-cut stone, but the severity of the bow tie is determined but the stone’s cut. The important part is to find an oval stone with a minimal, non-distracting bow tie.

Although skilled diamond cutters can lessen the appearance of a bow tie, their work may be constrained by other factors. For example, cutters may have to maintain a minimal weight of the stone. On top of that, cutting nearly flawless fancy shapes is no easy task. The cutter must consider every angle from which light will be reflected.

The bow tie effect is not taken into account when the stone is graded. Therefore, mention of any bow tie effect will not appear in the stone’s grading report. The best way to judge the severity of the bow tie is to see the stone in person. A visual inspection will help you gauge whether or not the bow tie is too distracting.

Photos: Barbara Michelle Jacobs Jewelry, Do Amore, Beyond 4Cs

Posted in bow tie effect, diamonds, engagement ring, informative, jewelry tips, oval diamonds

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