If you’re looking for a diamond with extraordinary character and plenty of sparkle, be sure to consider the fancy Marquise Diamond. Thanks to the elongated shape, a marquise cut seems larger than other diamonds of the same carat weight. This shape allows for ample personalization and unique settings—capturing hearts since the 18th century. To learn more about how to choose a high quality Marquise Diamond, contact us today.
A marquise diamond boasts 56 facets in a longer shape that ends with a point on each side. This impressive and distinct appearance makes a marquise diamond a unique choice for those who want something different.
Marquise Cut Diamond – History
Marquise Diamonds have a long and fascinating history. In the 18th century, King Louis XV of France requested a diamond be cut to resemble the lips of his mistress, the Marchioness Madame de Pompadour, Jean Antoinette Poisson. While the narrow design has been refined over time, it maintains similarities to the original.
In the years following the initial cut, the diamond was named Marquise, which referred to a rank just below duke. Prestigious individuals would don Marquise Diamonds to demonstrate their rank. Marquise Diamonds are also occasionally called Navette, meaning “small ship” in French. The Marquise’s shape is similar to a boat, an elongated eye and an American football.
Marquise Cut Diamond – Cut Quality
Largely affecting the overall beauty and value of any Diamond is Cut Quality. If you spend your budget on any of the 4 C’s (Cut, Color, Clarity and Carat), Cut should be at the top of the list. Even if you end up decreasing your Carat weight to get a better Cut, it will pay off in the diamond’s beauty and appearance.
Selecting a Marquise Diamond is tricky because what makes an excellent Cut is less defined. Even though the GIA grades Marquise Diamonds, it only issues Cut grades to Round Brilliants. Thus, it’s impossible to know if a Marquise will be dull or stellar without looking closer.
Common Marquise Diamond Cut Problems
While many cut elements can make a Marquise Diamond undesirable, we’ve highlighted common problems in the images below and compare them to an ideal cut Marquise.
1. Bowtie
This diamond contains a distinguishable bowtie: the dark area running across the diamond’s center. All in all, it takes away from the diamond’s beauty and becomes the unwanted point of attention. This diamond is also cut slightly too wide, making it more broad than elegant.
2. Slender Football
The diamond is cut like a narrow football and lacks strong eye appeal. Its table is too small and its crown is too high (the portion above the diamond’s girdle). These elements limit both white and colored light reflection, making the diamond less than radiant.
3. Ideal Marquise Diamond
While length to width ratio depends on personal preference, this diamond has an appealing shape at a 1.90 ratio. It is cut with a sizeable table, allowing for ample light reflection. There is no distinguishable bowtie (dark space running across the diamond) and it’s noticeably more beautiful than the other two diamonds.
If you need help identifying problem Marquise Cut Diamonds, contact us.
Marquise Diamonds — General Cut Guidelines
| Excellent | Very Good | Good | Fair | Poor | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Table % | 53-63 | 52 or 64-65 | 51 or 66-68 | 50 or 69-70 | <50 or >70 |
| Depth % | 58-62 | 56-57.9 or 62.1-66 | 53-55.9 or 66.1-71 | 50-52.9 or 71.1-74 | <50 or >74 |
| Girdle | Very Thin – Slightly Thick | Very Thin – Thick | Very Thin – Very Thick | Extremely Thin – Extremely Thick | |
| Cutlet | None | Very Small | Small | Medium | >Medium |
| Length/Width Ratio | 1.85-2.00 | 1.75-1.84 or 2.01-2.15 | 1.65-1.74 or 2.16-2.30 | 1.55-1.64 or 2.31-2.45 | <1.55 or >2.45 |
In addition to selecting a well cut Marquise, ensure the diamond is set properly—with two prongs securely holding the pointed ends. This prevents chipping and stabilizes the diamond within the ring.
Marquise Cut Diamond – Length To Width Ratio
When it comes to choosing a length to width ratio for your Marquise Diamond, remember this decision is primarily based on personal preference. Above all, you want the diamond to look stunning to the naked eye and match the style of the wearer.
Popular length to width ratios for Marquise Diamonds range from 1.70-2.15. Length to width ratio can be determined by dividing the length of a diamond by its width. For instance, if a diamond maintains a length of 5mm and width of 3mm, the length to width ratio is 1.67.
To represent how various Marquise Diamonds appear—depending on their length to width ratio—we’ve included three examples.
The Marquise with a ratio of 1.75 is slightly stockier and may offer a bit more durability than those with the higher ratios. The 1.95 diamond is more slender and maintains ample stability. The diamond with a 2.15 ratio is further elongated and may have slightly less durability than the others.
Overall, no Marquise shape is fundamentally better than another. Choose what most appeals to you and ensure the diamond is well cut and well set in the jewelry.
In addition, watch for the Marquise’s pointed ends: they should align nearly perfectly with each other. Symmetry is critical, as even the slightest difference can take away from the stone’s beauty and elegance.
If you’d like assistance with evaluating Marquise Diamonds, reach out to our diamond experts.
Marquise Cut Diamond – Clarity
Selecting any diamond should include thorough consideration of each of the 4 C’s (Cut, Clarity, Color and Carat).
Clarity is specifically measured based on how many inclusions and blemishes are present in the diamond. The GIA grades diamond clarity on the following scale:
- I2 – Inclusions
- I1 – Inclusions
- SI2 – Small Inclusions
- SI1 – Small Inclusions
- VS2 – Very Small Inclusions
- VS1 – Very Small Inclusions
- VVS2 – Very Very Small Inclusions
- VVS1 – Very Very Small Inclusions
- IF – Internally Flawless
While differences exist between grades, it’s imperative to realize these differences are slight—and usually unnoticeable—to the naked eye.
Because the difference is nearly indistinguishable without a microscope or expert eye, we recommend reviewing a diamond carefully rather than making a decision based solely on a grade report.
As a general guideline, we suggest looking for a S1 or S2 for the best clarity and value in Marquise Diamonds—but remember each diamond needs to be reviewed on its own merit and appearance to the naked eye. *
You’ll also want to consider how the diamond will appear after it’s set in the jewelry. For example, inclusions are easily hidden by the prongs securing the two corners of the Marquise, while they’re harder to hide if in the center.
Bowtie Effect in Marquise Diamonds
Due to their elegant and elongated shape, nearly all Marquise Diamonds contain a bowtie effect. The dark space, referred to as the bowtie, stretches across the diamond’s center and can impact the beauty of the stone. Bowtie severity differs across Marquise Diamonds. In some cases, the bowtie is noticeable to the naked eye, while other times it’s nearly invisible.
Look for a Marquise Diamond without a dominant bowtie, as this will detract from the magnificence of your stone. We highly recommend a diamond expert review any Marquise before purchase.
In the images below, notice the significant difference between a bowtie and non-bowtie diamond.
Marquise Cut Diamond – Color
When it comes to the Marquise Diamond, Color is similar to Clarity: more weight should be placed on the actual appearance of the diamond, rather than a specific grading given by a lab entity.
The GIA grades diamonds for Color from D to Z. A grading of D represents the most colorless while Z diamonds contain easily noticed yellow or brown tint. The visible difference between two adjacent grades, such as G and H, is often non-existent to the naked eye, which is why we recommend reviewing the diamond yourself or having an expert assist you.
For Marquise Diamonds, we generally recommend a G or H which will give you the greatest value while still maintaining a diamond that looks colorless to the naked eye. G and H Marquise Diamonds usually look as colorless as an F or E, but cost far less.
For more assistance and information on Marquise Diamond Color, contact our experts.
Size and Carat Weight Comparison
It’s important to note, however, that a decision should never be made simply by reviewing or comparing reports. A certificate does not indicate how the diamond actually appears. Marquise Diamonds should be reviewed thoroughly and carefully.
To learn more about how to choose a high quality Marquise Diamond, contact us today.
