1.125 CTW Oval Diamond Engagement Ring | Guide

An oval diamond engagement ring occupies a particular place in bridal jewelry: elongated enough to flatter the hand, brilliant enough to rival a round cut, and distinctive enough that it rarely looks like everyone else's ring. GLAM Diamonds' 1.125 CTW Oval Diamond Split Shank Engagement Ring is a clear example of why this shape has become one of the most requested silhouettes in modern engagement jewelry. This guide walks through what makes the design work, what the specifications actually mean, and what to think about before you buy.

What Is an Oval Diamond Engagement Ring?

An oval diamond engagement ring is set with a diamond cut into an elongated, symmetrical shape — essentially a round brilliant stretched into an ellipse. The oval cut retains the round brilliant's faceting pattern, which is why a well-cut oval diamond engagement ring can produce brilliance comparable to a round stone while reading visually larger for the same carat weight, since the surface area is spread across a longer profile rather than a compact circle.

This shape has a long history in fine jewelry but has seen a distinct resurgence over the past decade, driven partly by its flattering effect on the finger and partly by its versatility: an oval center stone pairs naturally with a wide range of settings, from classic solitaires to more architectural designs like the split shank. GLAM Diamonds' 1.125 CTW Oval Diamond Split Shank Engagement Ring reflects that modern preference — a shape with vintage credentials, styled for a contemporary hand.

Understanding the 1.125 CTW Oval Diamond Design

Before going further, it's worth being precise about the specifications, since diamond terminology is easy to misread.

What does 1.125 CTW actually mean? CTW stands for "carat total weight" — it describes the combined weight of every diamond set on the ring, not the weight of a single stone. That distinction matters because a ring described only by its CTW could be a single center stone at that weight, or a center stone plus smaller accent diamonds adding up to the same total. When shopping for any oval diamond engagement ring, it's worth understanding this so you're comparing total weight to total weight, rather than assuming CTW is shorthand for one diamond's carat size.

What Makes the Split Shank Setting Special?

The "shank" is simply the band of the ring — the part that wraps around the finger. In a standard setting, the shank is a single continuous strip of metal running from one side of the center stone to the other. A split shank setting divides that band into two (or occasionally more) separate strips as it approaches the center stone, so the metal appears to part ways just before meeting the setting.

This has a couple of practical visual effects. First, it creates negative space on either side of the diamond, which draws the eye toward the stone rather than the metal — a subtle way of making the center diamond feel more prominent without changing its actual size. Second, the split lines add a sense of movement and structure to the profile of the ring, which is part of why split shank settings pair so well with an elongated shape like an oval: the geometry of the divided band echoes the elongated line of the stone above it.

It's a design choice rather than a structural one — a split shank isn't inherently stronger or weaker than a solid shank, it's a different way of framing the same center stone.

Why Choose a Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Ring?

Lab-grown diamonds are diamonds in the full sense of the word: they share the same crystal structure and chemical composition as mined diamonds, produced instead through controlled processes in a laboratory setting rather than formed underground over geological time. They are not diamond simulants (like cubic zirconia or moissanite), which are different materials designed to resemble diamond — a lab-grown diamond is diamond.

This is one of the reasons lab-grown diamond jewelry has grown quickly in the bridal market: buyers who want a genuine diamond engagement ring, rather than a substitute material, now have a lab-grown option at a different price point than mined stones of comparable size. GLAM Diamonds' 1.125 CTW Oval Diamond Split Shank Engagement Ring is set entirely with lab-grown diamonds, which is part of what allows a ring at this total carat weight to be priced as it is.

Beyond that, it's worth being cautious about sweeping claims in this category — this article won't tell you a lab-grown diamond is "the ethical choice" or "the sustainable choice" in absolute terms, since those claims depend on sourcing and production specifics that vary by producer and aren't something a shopper can verify from a product listing alone. What can be said plainly is that a lab-grown diamond is a real diamond, graded and evaluated the same way a mined stone would be.

Choosing Between 10k and 14k Gold

This particular design is offered in both 10k and 14k gold, in yellow, rose, and white tones, so it's worth understanding the actual difference rather than assuming one is simply "better." Gold purity is measured in karats, with pure gold being 24k — both options below are alloys, and the karat number tells you how much of that mix is pure gold.

Neither is universally the "correct" choice — it depends on what you're prioritizing. Someone who wants maximum durability for an active daily-wear ring may lean toward 10k. Someone prioritizing gold content and a slightly deeper color may prefer 14k. Both are legitimate, long-term choices for a diamond engagement ring, and GLAM Diamonds offers this design in either, across all three metal tones.

Understanding Oval Diamond Proportions and Style

Not all oval diamonds look alike, even at the same carat weight, because the shape's proportions — the ratio of length to width — change its visual character. A more elongated oval reads as slender and dramatic; a rounder oval sits closer to a traditional round brilliant in overall impression while keeping the elongated silhouette.

One characteristic some oval diamonds can show, particularly at certain proportions, is a "bowtie" effect — a subtle dark band across the center of the stone, caused by the way light travels through the elongated shape. It's a known feature of the cut in general, not a flaw specific to any one stone, and its visibility varies depending on the individual diamond's cut and the way light hits it. It's a useful thing to be aware of when evaluating any oval diamond engagement ring, rather than something to be alarmed by.

Beyond the stone itself, the setting shapes how the ring reads as a whole. A split shank, as covered above, adds structure and visual lift; the choice of yellow, rose, or white gold shifts the overall tone — yellow gold gives a warmer, more traditional look, rose gold leans romantic and slightly vintage, and white gold offers a cooler, more contemporary contrast against the diamond. Together, shape, setting, and metal tone are what give an oval diamond engagement ring its finished personality, more than any single spec on its own.

How to Choose the Right Engagement Ring Size

This design is available in sizes 6, 7, 8, 9. A few practical points to keep in mind when choosing:

• 1 Get measured properly, if possible.Finger size shifts slightly through the day, so a jeweler's measurement or a proper ring sizer beats guessing from an existing ring.
• 2 Account for the band width.Wider bands, and shanks with more surface area like a split shank, can fit slightly more snugly than a thin band in the same labeled size.
• 3 Consider resizing later.Gold rings can typically be resized within a reasonable range, so choosing the closest available size and adjusting after purchase is normal.
• 4 When between sizes,it's generally more comfortable to size up slightly than down — loose is easier to correct than a ring that won't go on.

What to Consider Before Buying an Oval Engagement Ring

A practical checklist for anyone comparing an oval diamond engagement ring, whether from GLAM Diamonds or elsewhere:

1. Diamond shape — confirm the oval's proportions suit your taste; elongated ovals and rounder ovals look meaningfully different.
2. Carat weight — understand whether the listed weight (CTW) refers to a single stone or a total across multiple diamonds.
3. Setting and design — decide whether a split shank, solitaire, or pavé band fits your everyday style.
4. Metal choice — weigh 10k versus 14k gold, and yellow, white, or rose tone, against durability preferences and skin tone.
5. Ring size — measure properly and check what sizes are actually offered before ordering.
6. Personal style — think about how the ring will look alongside your existing jewelry and daily activities.
7. Budget — compare total price against what's included (diamond type, metal weight, setting complexity).
8. Warranty and return policy — check what protection is offered after purchase; GLAM Diamonds' lifetime warranty policy and 30-day return window are both worth reading in full before you buy.
9. Shipping considerations — review shipping details and expected timelines, particularly if you're working toward a specific proposal date.
10. Long-term care — plan for periodic cleaning and professional inspection to keep prongs secure and the diamond's brilliance intact over years of wear.

Why This GLAM Diamonds Ring Stands Out

The 1.125 CTW Oval Diamond Split Shank Engagement Ring brings together several of the elements covered above in one design: an oval-shaped lab-grown diamond at a substantial 1.125 total carat weight, set in a split shank that frames the stone rather than competing with it, offered across two gold purities and three metal tones so the same design can be tailored toward durability, budget, or color preference.

It's a piece built for couples who want a genuine diamond engagement ring with a distinctive silhouette, without needing to choose between "classic" and "modern" — the oval shape carries traditional bridal credibility, while the split shank gives it a more current profile. For a closer look at pricing, current gold and size availability, and additional product photography, the product page is the most accurate source, and it sits within GLAM Diamonds' broader engagement ring collection alongside other lab-grown diamond styles. You can also browse GLAM Diamonds' best-selling pieces or learn more about GLAM Diamonds as a lab-grown diamond jeweler.

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