The Ultimate Guide To Marquise Cut Diamonds

Overview of Marquise Cut Diamond

The term “marquise diamond” refers to a diamond that has been cut in a very specific manner; this is also why these gems are known as marquise cut diamonds. The sleek curves of a round or oval cut are combined with two points that emphasize the stone’s elegant contours to create the marquise cut, which is regarded as classically beautiful.

A marquise diamond, for instance, has the same number of facets as both a brilliant round cut and a cushion cut (58), giving it a unique beauty while also highlighting various features of the stone.

Although this term appears at odds with the beautiful aspect of marquise cut diamonds, they have also been called “football-shaped” diamonds. The unusually broad crown surface areas produced by this cut give diamonds a larger-than-realistic appearance. A marquise diamond can make the wearer’s fingers appear slimmer when set in a ring.

Different Names of Marquise Cut Diamond

The diamond shape’s moniker was first introduced by French king Louis XV in the eighteenth century. Louis XV ordered the marquise-cut to imitate the lips of his main mistress. The Marquise of Pompadour, Louis thought her lips were “ideally formed.”

This diamond cut is also known as:

Marquise: a medieval hereditary rank under a duke and above a count.

Navette: Due to the cut’s hull-like form, Navette is a French word that means “small ship.”

Football: This cut’s elongated, pointed shape gave it a well-known nickname.

Eye-shaped: speaks directly to the cut’s shape.

The marquise-cut is a traditional shape that fits elegantly on a ring finger and has a history that dates back to the most illustrious of Old-World royalty, making it a timeless, elegant option for an engagement ring.

Marquise Cut Diamond – Cut Quality

Any diamond’s cut quality has a significant impact on its overall beauty and worth. Cut should be your top priority if you are going to spend your money on any of the four Cs (Cut, Color, Clarity, and Carat). It will pay off in the diamond’s brilliance and appearance even if you end up reducing your carat weight to acquire a better cut.

Because the characteristics of a good Cut are less clear, choosing a Marquise Diamond might be challenging. Despite grading Marquise Diamonds, the GIA only assigns Cut grades to Round Brilliants. Because of this, it’s impossible to predict whether a Marquise will be average or exceptional without taking a closer look.

Marquise Cut Diamond Clarity

Marquise-cut diamond clarity describes how the stone looks and lists any flaws or imperfections.

Therefore, a lot of choosing a diamond depends on personal preference. In fact, some imperfections might not even be apparent to amateurs without specialized tools. It is possible to determine a diamond’s clarity by observing whether or not it seems clear to the unaided eye. Others might not mind slight flaws that can only be seen with specialized inspection tools, while you may want to know that your marquise-cut diamond is certified as Flawless.

Choose a Flawless or Internally Flawless diamond if your sweetheart values an ideal appearance more. You might pick a Very Small Inclusions or Small Inclusions grade marquise-cut if minor flaws are not noticeable to your companion.

Marquise Cut Diamond – Color

As with clarity, greater emphasis should be given to the Marquise Diamond’s actual appearance than any particular grading assigned by a lab. Color is similar to clarity in this regard.

The GIA assigns a color grading for diamonds from D to Z. D diamonds are the most colorless, while Z diamonds have a clear yellow or brown hue. We advise having a professional review the diamond for you if possible because the visual difference between two nearby grades, such as G and H, is frequently indistinguishable to the unaided eye.

Marquise Cut Diamond – Length to Width Ratio

Remember that the length to breadth ratio you select for your marquise diamond will mostly depend on your particular preferences. The diamond should, above all, be visually attractive and complement the wearer’s style.

Marquise diamonds commonly have length-to-width ratios between 1.70 and 2.15. By dividing a diamond’s length by its width, one can calculate the length-to-width ratio. For instance, a diamond’s length-to-width ratio is 1.67 if its length is 5mm and its breadth is 3mm.

With a ratio of 1.75, the Marquise is slightly more substantial and might provide a little bit more durability than those with greater ratios. The 1.95 diamond is slimmer and still has plenty of solidity. The diamond, with a ratio of 2.15, is longer and can be a little less durable than the others.

In general, no Marquise shape is inherently superior to another. Make sure the diamond is beautifully cut and securely put in the jewelry before selecting what appeals to you the most.

The pointy ends of the Marquise should almost precisely line up with one another, so keep an eye out for those as well. The stone’s beauty and elegance can be diminished by even a small deviation; thus, symmetry is essential.

The Bowtie Effect on Marquise Cut Diamonds

The bowtie effect, which can diminish a marquise diamond’s intrinsic beauty, can occur sometimes. Poorly cut facets produce triangular, darker shapes that are visible from all directions. Reviewing the diamond certificate or measurements will not reveal the presence of a bow-tie effect; only visual inspection will reveal this.

Because the shapes, facets, and ratios of some diamond cuts, such as round, square, and cushion, are naturally flawless, they don’t have this imperfection. When there is not enough light to adequately illuminate all facets of a marquise cut diamond, undesired shadows develop. Make sure to compare different diamonds in person and you will eventually find the right one

Things to Look for in Marquise Cut Diamonds

The settings of engagement rings are most frequently encountered with marquise-cut diamonds. Although the preferred appearance of a marquise-cut diamond is a matter of personal taste, professionals in the field believe that the ideal marquise-cut diamond should contain the following characteristics:

• Length-to-Width Ratio: Although this is a personal preference, the best, professionally advised length-to-width ratio for the marquise-cut is 1.90.
• Table Size: A marquise-cut diamond should ideally have a large table for superior light reflection.
• No Particular Bow-tie: Every marquise diamond resembles a bow-tie due to its narrow shape. A well-cut diamond, however, shouldn’t have any discernible dark spots running through the center.
• Symmetry: A marquise-cut diamond should have two points at either end that are parallel to one another. By doing this, an unbalanced or skewed appearance in the jewelry setting is prevented.
• Appropriate Setting to Prevent Chips: A marquise-cut diamond’s pointed ends demand a setting that guards the diamond’s precise edges from chipping. You should choose a setting with prongs to guard the most vulnerable areas of this cut. We advise utilizing prongs in the “V-tip” design for increased security.

The Best Settings for Marquise Diamonds?

Portia de Rossi, Victoria Beckham, and Jennifer Lopez are just a few famous people who have sported marquise diamond engagement rings. The ideal diamond setting is essentially a matter of personal preference; however, there are some bases that highlight the stone’s inherent brilliance. Since marquise diamonds are frequently seen of as elegant and classic, they work well in halo and solitaire settings.

Marquise diamonds are traditionally set in halo settings, which have a ring of smaller gems encircling or surrounding a larger one. Pave diamonds produce a magnificent, opulent effect and are frequently used in this particular setting. Engagement ring buyers frequently choose this option when shopping for engagement rings because it showcases the marquise diamond’s eye-catching shape and makes the ring appear larger overall at a lower cost than a stone with more carats.

In contrast, the magnificent diamond may speak for itself without any interruptions when it is placed in a solitaire.

Bottom Line

Although marquise diamonds are less common than other cuts, they are nevertheless a popular option for people who don’t mind standing out from the crowd.

Be sure to take the fancy Marquise Diamond into consideration if you’re looking for a diamond with exceptional personality and lots of shine. Since the 18th century, this design has won people over with its extensive customization options and distinctive settings.