Moval Engagement Rings: Where the Prongs Should Go
By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio, Toronto · Updated October 4, 2026
Short answer: Put the prongs on the east and west sides of a moval, not on the top and bottom tips. A moval has the length of a marquise with the soft rounded tips of an oval. Traditional six prong settings put a prong on each tip, which covers exactly the part that makes it a moval, so it ends up looking like a marquise. You usually pay more for a moval than a marquise, so show the tips off.
If you are planning a moval engagement ring, know this before you pick a setting.
Read the video transcript
You need to know this if you're ever planning on getting a moval engagement ring. A moval diamond is essentially the baby between an oval and a marquise, so it has the length of a marquise with a soft round corner slash tips of an oval diamond. A six prong setting for a moval, this is the most traditional setting, so it's three at the top, three at the bottom. But when you put prongs on the north-south tips of your moval, you're essentially covering up that really soft round corners that distinguish it from a moval versus a marquise. Instead, when you're getting a moval, make sure the prongs are on the east-west sides, no prongs on the bottom and the top, so you're not covering up that soft round edges of a moval. If you're anyways probably going to spend a little bit more money for a moval diamond versus marquise, why cover up that thing that distinguishes it truly from being a moval?
What is a moval again?
A moval is the in-between of an oval and a marquise. It has the length of a marquise and the soft, rounded tips of an oval. More on the shape and ratios in our moval guide.
Why not a traditional six prong setting?
The most traditional six prong layout puts three prongs at the top and three at the bottom, including one on each tip. On a marquise that is right, because the prongs protect sharp points. On a moval, those tip prongs sit right on top of the rounded ends. Cover them and the stone reads as a marquise.
Where should the prongs go?
On the east and west sides, with no prongs on the top and bottom tips. The soft ends stay open, and the outline that makes it a moval is the first thing you see.
In a tulip basket this still gives you the flower underneath. On the tips we often add a half petal below the stone for extra support, without covering the outline from the top.
Is it secure without tip prongs?
Yes. A moval's tips are rounded, not pointed, so they do not need the protection a marquise does. The side prongs and the basket hold the stone. We check the layout in CAD before anything is made.
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Should a moval have prongs on the tips?
We recommend not. Prongs on the tips cover the rounded ends that make it a moval, so it looks like a marquise.
How many prongs does a moval need?
Usually six, placed on the east and west sides. The count stays the same, only the placement changes.
Is a moval more expensive than a marquise?
Usually a little, which is another reason not to hide what you paid for.
How much does a moval engagement ring cost?
A fully custom ring from us starts at about $4,000 USD, and most of the rings we build land between $4,000 and $5,000. Our Ready To Order settings start at $1,299 CAD, plus the diamond. The centre stone moves the price most: in September 2026 a 2 carat lab grown diamond ran about $2,500 CAD and a 3 carat about $2,700 CAD. A moval stone usually costs a little more than a marquise of the same weight. Real numbers are in our cost guide.
What ratio is a moval diamond?
Movals usually sit between about 1.7 and 2.0 length to width. In the video, a 4.03 carat moval has a 1.99 ratio and a 2.7 carat moval a 1.93 ratio.
Is a moval the same as an elongated oval?
Close, but a moval's ends are more tapered than an oval's. At 1.7 it reads like a slim oval; near 2.0 it looks like a marquise with soft tips.
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