What is a moval cut gemstone?
By Jared James · Last updated 21 May 2026
A moval cut is a gemstone shape that sits between a marquise and an oval, borrowing the tapered pointed ends of a marquise and blending them with the rounder, softer body of an oval. The result is an elongated shape with gentle points rather than the sharp, defined tips of a true marquise. It tends to look flattering on the finger because the length creates the appearance of a larger stone while the rounded form is gentler to the eye. The moval has grown in popularity as part of a broader trend toward elongated fancy shapes in engagement rings.
Marquise
A moval borrows the marquise’s pointed ends.
Oval
It keeps the fuller, rounder body of the oval.
Frequently asked questions
- Is a moval cut the same as a marquise?
- Similar but distinct. A marquise has crisp, sharp points at each end and a pronounced boat shape. A moval softens those points into a more tapered oval form, giving a middle ground between the two shapes.
- Does a moval cut make a diamond look bigger?
- Yes, like most elongated cuts including ovals and marquises, a moval spreads more face-up surface area across the finger than a round brilliant of the same carat weight, which makes the stone appear larger.
- What settings suit a moval cut?
- Solitaire settings with elongated prongs to protect the tapered ends are popular, as are east-west orientations where the stone runs horizontally across the finger rather than vertically. Halo settings also work well and emphasise the elongated shape.
