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What Causes The Bow-Tie Effect In Oval Diamonds?
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Oct 16, 2025
Oval diamonds have gained popularity recently, and with good reason. Oval diamonds appear larger than round diamonds due to the length of their silhouette. The use of an oval diamond in a ring can help elongate and flatter the finger, and they cost less than a round diamond of the same clarity and carat. However, selecting an oval diamond can require a bit more effort than selecting a different cut. The reason for this is the "bow-tie effect", which is a phenomenon that occurs due to the way the light is reflected through the facets of an oval diamond. But what is it, and how does it affect the appearance of your diamond? Read on to find out...
What Is The Bow-Tie Effect?
Sometimes, when looking at an oval diamond, you will observe two dark triangles present toward the center of the diamond. These triangles have the appearance of a black bow-tie, and they typically run across the diamond's table (the top of a diamond). This is the bow-tie effect. It's caused by stretched facets, which make it more difficult for light to disperse throughout the diamond. One of the biggest factors in purchasing a diamond is its brilliance. A bright sparkle and shine when the light hits a diamond just right can make all the difference. Because of this, diamonds are cut in a way that not only maximizes the amount of light being reflected but also minimizes the number of dark spots caused by shadows passing through its facets. Because of the way oval diamonds are cut, the shadows caused by your body and head can easily block the light from entering its facets. These shadows being reflected back at you lead to the bow-tie effect. This in turn causes the entire diamond to look slightly less brilliant than it should.
How Can You Avoid The Bow-Tie Effect?
It is difficult to completely avoid the bow-tie effect in any oval diamond. While the effect can be eliminated, there will be trade-offs that may not be worth the effort. Each oval is cut in a way that gets as much carat as possible from the rough piece of diamond it is cut from. Cutting an oval diamond wider or deeper may lessen or get rid of the bow-tie effect, but it may cause the diamond to face up smaller than it should, sacrificing the perfect ratio that oval diamonds are known for. The bow-tie effect is simply a characteristic of the oval cut. Because of this, the bow-tie doesn't show up on a diamond's grading report. However, a small bow-tie effect can actually enhance an oval diamond's beauty. The interplay of light and shadow serves to make the reflected light appear even more brilliant, giving a greater shine to your diamond. The best thing you can do is to work with an expert jeweler who can help you find an oval diamond that largely minimizes the presence of the bow-tie effect without sacrificing the quality of the diamond's cut.
