A moval diamond is an elongated oval finished with the softly pointed ends of a marquise. The name is a blend of "marquise" and "oval", and the shape sits between the two: most movals are 1.7 to 2.0 times longer than they are wide, against 1.35 to 1.55 for an oval and about 2.0 for a marquise. The result reads longer on the finger than an oval of the same carat, without the sharp tips that make a marquise snag and chip. Moval is a trade name rather than a laboratory grade: the report on a moval usually calls it an oval brilliant, so you identify one by its outline and its ratio. Clairamor keeps a dedicated moval diamond picker and 34 moval ring settings, and this guide covers what the cut is, how big it looks at each carat, what it costs next to an oval, and how to choose one.
Moval diamonds at a glance
| Attribute | Detail |
|---|---|
| Outline | Oval body, marquise-style tapered ends with softened points |
| Faceting | Brilliant cut, so it sparkles like an oval and hides small inclusions well |
| Length-to-width ratio | 1.7 to 2.0 in most stones; Clairamor's picker runs from 1.44 to 2.01 with a middle of 1.75 |
| On the lab report | Usually "Oval Brilliant" (IGI); moval is a trade name, not a grade |
| Face-up size at 1 carat | About 9.1 x 5.2 mm, against 8.2 x 5.7 mm for an oval |
| Watch for | Bow-tie shadow across the middle, ends that do not mirror each other, a thin girdle at the tips |
| Best settings | Tulip-style prongs, hidden halo, bezel, or an east-west solitaire |
| Price | Lab-grown, in Clairamor's picker on September 24, 2026: from $794 at 1 carat and $1,632 at 2 carats, roughly a quarter to a third more than an oval of the same weight |
What is a moval diamond?
A moval is a brilliant-cut diamond whose outline borrows from two classic shapes. The long sides curve like an oval, and the two ends narrow toward a point like a marquise, but the points are rounded off rather than brought to a sharp tip. Seen face-up, it looks like an oval that has been stretched and gently pinched at both ends. The outline is not new, but lab-grown production is what made it widely available: cutters can plan a long outline from grown rough more freely than from mined crystals, so the moval moved from a rare custom cut to a shape you can shop by carat.
Because the cut is a trade term, no laboratory grades a stone as a "moval". The two IGI reports we opened while writing this guide, for stones in our own picker, both list the shape and cutting style as Oval Brilliant, with the moval outline visible only in the measurements: 10.19 x 5.53 mm for a 1.21 carat stone, a ratio of 1.84 that no ordinary oval would carry. Some reports say "Oval Modified Brilliant" instead. Either way, the report confirms the weight, color, clarity and measurements; the outline you judge from the stone itself and its ratio.
That ratio is the number to learn. Divide the length by the width: 9.1 mm by 5.2 mm gives 1.75. In Clairamor's picker on September 24, 2026, the 47 one-carat movals ranged from 1.44 to 1.83 with a middle value of 1.75, and at two carats the 65 stones ran from 1.66 to 2.01 with a middle of 1.76. Anything under about 1.6 will read as an oval with slightly pointed ends; anything over 1.95 starts to look like a marquise. The sweet spot most people picture when they say "moval" is 1.7 to 1.9.
Length-to-width ratio by shape, from Clairamor's picker
Scale runs from 1.0 (a circle) to 2.2. Ranges are where most of each shape sits in our inventory; individual stones fall outside them.
Moval vs oval vs marquise vs pear
All four are elongated brilliant cuts, and the differences come down to the ends. An oval is rounded at both; a marquise is pointed at both; a pear is rounded at one end and pointed at the other; a moval is softly pointed at both. Those ends decide how long the stone looks, how it sits in prongs, and how much of a bow-tie it tends to show. The sizes below are the middle values from Clairamor's picker, and the prices are the least expensive stone of each shape listed on September 24, 2026, all lab-grown, D to G color and IF to VS2 clarity.
| Moval | Oval | Marquise | Pear | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ends | Both softly pointed | Both rounded | Both sharply pointed | One rounded, one pointed |
| Typical ratio | 1.7 to 2.0 | 1.35 to 1.55 | 1.85 to 2.15 | 1.5 to 1.75 |
| Size at 1 carat | 9.1 x 5.2 mm | 8.2 x 5.7 mm | 10.3 x 5.3 mm | 9.1 x 5.6 mm |
| Size at 2 carats | 11.8 x 6.6 mm | 10.3 x 7.1 mm | 13.0 x 6.6 mm | 11.3 x 7.1 mm |
| Bow-tie | Faint to moderate; check each stone | Faint in a well-cut stone | Most prone of the four | Common; check face-up |
| Snag and chip risk | Low; the points are rounded | Lowest | Highest; tips need V-prongs | One tip to protect |
| Least expensive 1 ct in our picker | $794 | $645 | $707 | $571 |
| Least expensive 2 ct in our picker | $1,632 | $1,193 | $1,193 | $1,134 |
| Shop | Moval rings | Oval rings | Marquise rings | Pear rings |
Two things stand out. A moval is about 15 percent longer than an oval at the same weight (11.8 mm against 10.3 mm at two carats) and a little narrower, which is where the "looks bigger" reputation comes from: the extra length runs along the finger, where the eye reads size. And a marquise is longer still, but pays for it with sharp tips that need protecting and a stronger bow-tie. The moval is the compromise, which is exactly why it has caught on. Our marquise guide goes deeper on the sharper of the two, and the Dutch marquise, a marquise with straight sides and a hexagonal outline, has a guide of its own, and so does the oval. If you are still choosing between shapes, our guide to which diamond shape looks biggest compares face-up area across all of them, and the size simulator shows each shape on a hand.
How big does a moval look? Size by carat
Carat weight is a measure of mass, so two stones of the same weight can look different sizes depending on how the weight is spread. A moval spreads it along its length. The table below gives the middle measurements of every moval listed in Clairamor's picker on September 24, 2026, along with the number of stones at each weight and what they cost. Prices are for lab-grown stones in D to G color and IF to VS2 clarity, which is all we stock.
| Carat | Typical size (length x width) | Stones listed | Least expensive | Middle of the range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 ct | 9.1 x 5.2 mm | 47 | $794 | $1,092 |
| 1.5 ct | 10.6 x 5.9 mm | 37 | $1,128 | $1,509 |
| 2 ct | 11.8 x 6.6 mm | 65 | $1,632 | $1,981 |
| 2.5 ct | 12.6 x 7.2 mm | 65 | $2,310 | $2,450 |
| 3 ct | 13.5 x 7.6 mm | 18 | $3,202 | $4,881 |
| 4 ct | 14.6 x 8.3 mm | 19 | $3,398 | $5,155 |
| 5 ct | 17.0 x 8.6 mm | 35 | $4,193 | $4,989 |
Read the size column against something you know. A 2 carat moval is nearly 12 mm long, two-thirds the diameter of a dime; a 3 carat stone at 13.5 mm is three-quarters of one; a 5 carat moval at 17 mm is almost a full dime laid along the finger. The picker also lists movals above 5 carats, up to 12 carats on the day we checked, at $7,500 to $15,000. The "stones listed" column is worth noticing too: moval supply is thinner than oval supply at every weight, so if you find a stone with the ratio and color you want, it is worth reserving rather than waiting for a twin.
How much does a moval diamond cost?
More than an oval, less than the premium suggests once you look at the size you get. On September 24, 2026, the least expensive 1 carat moval in Clairamor's picker was $794 against $645 for the least expensive oval; at 2 carats it was $1,632 against $1,193. That is a premium of roughly a quarter to a third at the entry price, and it holds through the middle of the range. The main reason is supply: fewer cutters produce the shape, so there are fewer stones at every weight and less competition on price.
Within movals, weight moves the price most, then color, then clarity. The 1 carat stones in our picker ran from $794 for a D VS2 to $2,100 for a D IF, with the great majority of D to E, VVS2 to VS1 stones between $1,050 and $1,120. Clarity barely matters at this level, because the brilliant faceting of a moval hides small inclusions the way an oval does; our advice on VS clarity applies here in full. Spend on the ratio and the cut quality you can see, not on a grade you cannot. Our lab-grown diamond pricing guide explains how the four levers stack, and the price calculator lets you test them.
How a moval wears on the hand
The moval's whole appeal is how it sits on a finger, so it is worth being specific about it.
- It lengthens the finger. Set north-south, the stone runs along the finger and draws the eye up the hand. A ratio of 1.7 to 1.8 gives that effect without looking like a spear; 1.9 to 2.0 suits long fingers and a larger carat, where the extra length has room to breathe. If you want the shape but have a short finger, choose 1.7 and a stone under 2 carats.
- It shows more length per carat than anything but a marquise. At 2 carats you get 11.8 mm of diamond along the finger. An oval gives 10.3 mm and a round about 8.1 mm.
- The soft points do not catch. A marquise tip is a fine point that snags knitwear and chips if it is not covered by a V-prong. A moval's rounded points glide over fabric and can sit in ordinary prongs, which is why a four-prong solitaire works and why a tulip-style prong looks so natural on it.
- It has a bow-tie, like every elongated brilliant. When you look straight down, a dark band can cross the middle of the stone where the pavilion facets reflect your own head instead of light. On a well-cut moval it is faint and disappears as the hand moves; on a poor one it is a permanent dark stripe. It is the first thing to look for in the video.
- East-west is an option. Set across the finger, a moval becomes a horizontal bar of light that reads as modern and sits lower than the same stone set north-south. It suits a bezel or a two-prong solitaire, and it is a popular custom request.
Which settings suit a moval?
Anything that suits an oval suits a moval, with one adjustment: the prongs should sit on the shoulders of the stone, a little way in from the points, rather than at the very ends. Clairamor's moval collection is built that way. These are the styles we make it in, all available in 14k or 18k yellow, white and rose gold, two-tone and platinum.
| Setting | What it does for a moval | Choose it if |
|---|---|---|
| Tulip-style hidden halo | Petal-shaped prongs echo the tapered ends; a ring of small diamonds under the stone adds sparkle from the side | You want prongs that follow the shape and a stone that reads bigger in profile |
| Four-prong solitaire | Shows the whole outline, nothing competing with the shape | The stone is 2 carats or more and can carry the ring alone |
| Bezel | A metal rim traces the outline and covers both points completely | You work with your hands, or you want an east-west or low-profile ring |
| Tapered baguette sides | Two straight side stones continue the stone's line along the band | You like a three-stone look with a long, clean silhouette |
| Split shank | The band divides at the head and frames the length of the stone | You want more metal and presence on the finger |
| Engraved tulip | Hand-style engraving on the band and gallery under a tulip head | You want a vintage feel on a modern shape |
The moval is also made in our bypass and east-west bypass, where the band's two arms pass the stone instead of meeting under it; they are the lowest rings we make, from $1,500 in 14k, and the moval east-west bypass is the bypass ring people look at most on our site. Our bypass guide covers both.
What to check before you buy a moval
- Work out the ratio. Length divided by width, from the measurements on the report. Under 1.6 is an oval with pretensions; 1.7 to 1.9 is the classic moval; 2.0 and over is marquise territory. Decide which you want before you fall for a video.
- Compare the two ends. Hold the stone face-up, or pause the video square-on, and check that the points mirror each other in width and angle. Uneven ends are the most common flaw in the cut and the hardest to unsee once you have noticed them.
- Look for the bow-tie. A faint grey band across the middle that comes and goes is normal. A solid dark stripe that stays put as the stone turns is not; move on.
- Check depth and table. The movals in our picker sit between about 60 and 67 percent depth and 52 to 64 percent table. A stone much deeper than that hides weight underneath, where you cannot see it, and looks small for its carat.
- Read the report, then match it. Expect the shape to be listed as an oval brilliant. Check the report number on the lab's website and confirm the measurements match the stone you are buying; our guide to diamond certification companies shows how.
- Buy VS2 or better and forget clarity. A moval hides inclusions well, and every stone in Clairamor's picker is IF to VS2, so eye-clean is a given. Our guide to SI diamonds explains why we do not stock lower grades.
Where Clairamor fits
Clairamor treats the moval as a core shape rather than a novelty, and it shows in the range. Our picker lists moval diamonds from under a carat to 12 carats, every one lab-grown, D to G color, IF to VS2 clarity and graded by IGI, GIA or HRD, with a 360 video and the report on each. The setting side is 34 moval-specific designs across tulip-style hidden halos, solitaires, bezels, split shanks, tapered baguettes and engraved styles, and anything else you can picture is a custom request away.
Shop moval engagement rings Pick a moval diamond Design a custom ring
Frequently asked questions
What is a moval diamond?
A moval is a brilliant-cut diamond with the elongated body of an oval and the softly pointed ends of a marquise. The name blends "marquise" and "oval". Most movals are 1.7 to 2.0 times longer than they are wide.
Is moval an official diamond shape?
No. Moval is a trade name used by cutters and jewelers. Grading laboratories describe the stone by its cutting style, so the report on a moval usually says "Oval Brilliant" or a modified brilliant, with the moval outline visible in the measurements and ratio.
What is the difference between a moval and an oval?
The ends and the ratio. An oval is rounded at both ends and usually 1.35 to 1.55 times longer than wide. A moval tapers to a soft point at each end and runs 1.7 to 2.0, so it looks longer and slightly narrower at the same carat weight.
Does a moval look bigger than an oval?
Longer, yes. At 2 carats a typical moval measures about 11.8 by 6.6 mm against 10.3 by 7.1 mm for an oval. The face-up area is similar; the moval puts more of it along the finger, which is where the eye reads size.
What length-to-width ratio is best for a moval?
1.7 to 1.9 for most hands. Below 1.6 the stone reads as an oval; above 1.95 it reads as a marquise. Longer fingers and larger carats can carry 1.9 to 2.0.
Do moval diamonds have a bow-tie?
Some do. Like every elongated brilliant cut, a moval can show a dark band across its middle. On a well-cut stone it is faint and moves with the light; a fixed dark stripe is a reason to choose another stone.
Are moval diamonds more expensive than ovals?
Yes, by about a quarter to a third at the same weight in lab-grown. On September 24, 2026, the least expensive 1 carat moval in Clairamor's picker was $794 against $645 for an oval, and at 2 carats $1,632 against $1,193. Fewer cutters produce the shape, so there are fewer stones at every weight and less competition on price.
How much is a 2 carat moval diamond?
In Clairamor's picker on September 24, 2026, lab-grown 2 carat movals in D to G color and IF to VS2 clarity started at $1,632, with the middle of the range at $1,981 and 65 stones to choose from.
What setting is best for a moval diamond?
Prongs set on the shoulders of the stone rather than at the tips, which is how Clairamor's tulip-style and solitaire settings are built. A bezel covers both points completely and suits an east-west or low-profile ring. A hidden halo adds sparkle from the side without adding height.
Can a moval be set east-west?
Yes. Set across the finger, a moval becomes a horizontal bar of light that sits lower than a north-south setting. It works best in a bezel or a two-prong solitaire and is a common custom request at Clairamor.
Are moval diamonds only lab-grown?
No, but lab-grown is where the shape is easy to find. Cutters can plan a long outline from grown rough more freely than from mined crystals, so lab-grown production is what turned the moval from a rare custom cut into a shape you can shop by carat.
Related reading
- What is a tulip setting? Prongs, basket and cathedral explained
- Which diamond shape looks the biggest?
- Tulip-style hidden halo engagement rings
- Bezel engagement rings
- Bypass engagement rings: what the setting is, how it wears, wedding bands and prices
- VS1 vs VS2 diamond clarity: what VS means, what you can see and what it costs
- How to buy a lab-grown diamond
- How big is a 3 carat diamond? Size on the hand, price and why not bigger
- Diamond carat size chart: 0.5 to 5 carats in millimeters, on the hand and in price
- Elongated engagement rings: oval vs emerald vs radiant vs marquise vs moval
- Marquise diamonds and engagement rings: ratios, the Dutch marquise, bow-ties, settings and prices
- What is a Dutch marquise diamond? Shape, ratio, settings and prices
- Oval engagement rings: ratios, the bow-tie, settings, sizes and prices
