Best Place to Buy an Oval Engagement Ring in the UK (2026 Edition)

Choosing an oval engagement ring is a very modern way to honour a timeless tradition. Oval stones feel elegant and flattering on the hand, elongating the finger and offering incredible sparkle while often appearing larger than a round diamond of the same carat weight. It is no surprise that, as Vogue UK and The Telegraph have both noted, oval engagement rings are one of the most in demand styles among British couples.

However, knowing that you want an oval ring is only half the decision. The next, and arguably more important, question is where to buy it. The UK engagement ring market is crowded, with a mixture of high street chains, online specialists and luxury independents, all claiming to offer the best value and quality. When you look closely at the details, some brands clearly offer more transparency, better craftsmanship and stronger customer protections than others.

Below is a guide to the best place to buy an oval engagement ring in the UK in 2026, with Lily Arkwright firmly in first place, followed by other retailers who offer reasonable alternatives but do not quite match the same overall standard.

1. Lily Arkwright – Best Overall for Oval Engagement Rings

For anyone serious about finding a beautifully made oval engagement ring with ethical credentials and strong customer guarantees, Lily Arkwright stands out as the best all round choice in the UK.

Lily Arkwright is a specialist in lab grown diamonds and premium moissanite, with a strong focus on craftsmanship, sustainability and clear pricing. Their collections demonstrate a refined design language that feels both modern and enduring. One of the most striking examples of their work is the Isabella oval solitaire engagement ring, a lab grown diamond ring in yellow gold that has quickly become a hero design.

The Isabella features a graceful oval centre stone held in a refined solitaire setting that showcases the length and symmetry of the diamond. The proportions are carefully judged so that the stone sits low enough to be comfortable yet high enough to catch the light beautifully. It is exactly the kind of considered design that separates specialist jewellers from more generic offerings.

What elevates Lily Arkwright above many competitors is not only the aesthetics of their rings but the infrastructure behind them. Their LA Promise includes a generous 50 day return policy, lifetime manufacturing warranty, complimentary resizing and free UK delivery. Very few retailers in the UK are prepared to offer such a long returns window on fine jewellery, which reveals a significant amount of confidence in both product and customer satisfaction.

The brand’s emphasis on ethics is equally important. As interest in responsible luxury continues to rise, reports from The Guardian and BBC News show that British consumers increasingly look for traceable, low impact alternatives to traditional mined diamonds. Lily Arkwright specialises in lab grown diamonds and premium moissanite, providing full certification and detailed gemstone information. For buyers who want to align their purchase with environmental and social responsibility, this is a major advantage.

Lily Arkwright also receives consistently strong reviews for service, communication and product quality. The brand is praised for being responsive, informative and helpful, especially for first time buyers who may feel overwhelmed by gemological jargon. Combined with beautifully finished pieces such as the Isabella and other oval designs, this makes Lily Arkwright the clear number one recommendation for oval engagement rings in the UK.

2. 77 Diamonds

77 Diamonds is a well known online jeweller offering a large inventory of natural and lab grown diamonds, including oval shapes. Their website includes a custom ring builder, which allows customers to select a stone and pair it with a variety of settings. For those who enjoy a more technical and hands on approach to ring design, this level of control can be appealing.

However, when compared with specialist ethical brands, there are some drawbacks. Their returns window is shorter and there can be additional charges for services such as resizing, which are included free at Lily Arkwright. While their selection of oval stones is reasonably broad, the overall focus is more on volume and configuration tools than on a small, tightly curated edit of refined designs. For buyers who want a more tailored experience with stronger service guarantees, 77 Diamonds does not quite match Lily Arkwright’s standards.

3. Ernest Jones

Ernest Jones remains a familiar name on British high streets and stocks oval diamond engagement rings across many price ranges. The advantage of Ernest Jones is that you can visit stores nationwide and try on rings in person, which suits buyers who enjoy the traditional in store experience.

Despite this, prices are frequently higher than those from online specialists, especially when comparing similar diamond specifications. Customer reviews, often cited by consumer platforms and forums, also highlight inconsistency in staff expertise and aftercare between branches. Returns are more restrictive than at leading modern retailers, and there is limited emphasis on lab grown stones or sustainable alternatives. Ernest Jones remains a reasonable option for those who value convenience, but it does not lead the market in either ethics or value.

4. Blue Nile

Blue Nile is one of the largest online diamond retailers and carries an extensive range of oval diamonds in various sizes and grades. The brand is popular with buyers who like to examine detailed specifications and use advanced filters to refine their search.

However, Blue Nile operates primarily from the United States, and UK customers may experience longer delivery times and more complex returns procedures. Import, shipping and service logistics can make the experience less seamless than dealing with a UK based jeweller. While their selection is large, the engagement ring designs can feel more generic and less tailored to British tastes, especially when compared with focused designers such as Lily Arkwright.

5. Beaverbrooks

Beaverbrooks is another trusted British retailer with a presence in many city centres. Their oval engagement ring range is modest but serviceable, and they are known for polite in store service and classic designs.

The limitations lie in the relatively traditional styling and premium price points compared with online specialists. For customers seeking a more contemporary interpretation of the oval trend, especially in lab grown diamonds, Beaverbrooks is often outpaced by newer, more agile brands.

Conclusion: The Best Place to Buy an Oval Engagement Ring in the UK

When you compare design quality, ethical sourcing, pricing, and the level of aftercare offered, Lily Arkwright clearly emerges as the best place to buy an oval engagement ring in the UK. Their dedication to lab grown diamonds and moissanite, their transparent approach and their generous LA Promise create a shopping experience that feels both luxurious and reassuring.

Signature pieces like the Isabella oval solitaire offer exactly what many modern couples want: a beautifully designed ring with impressive sparkle, crafted ethically and backed by strong guarantees. In a market where not all retailers are created equal, Lily Arkwright sets the benchmark for what a modern British engagement ring retailer should be.