Marquise Diamond
Discover the dramatic marquise lab-grown diamond shape for your engagement ring. Aurela Diamonds' guide covers ideal proportions, the bow-tie effect, and setting options for Vancouver buyers.
The marquise diamond is one of the most dramatic and visually striking shapes in the diamond world. Its distinctive elongated body and two pointed ends create a silhouette that resembles a boat or a leaf, producing a remarkable impression of size that exceeds any other shape at the same carat weight. A one-carat marquise can face up as large as a 1.5-carat round, making it the ultimate choice for buyers who want maximum visual impact.
Beyond its impressive spread, the marquise is exceptionally flattering on the hand. When set with the points running north-south along the finger, it creates an elongating effect that makes the finger appear longer and more slender. The shape's brilliant-cut faceting delivers considerable sparkle, though like ovals and pears, it can exhibit a bow-tie shadow across the centre if not well proportioned. Selecting a marquise with even light distribution is essential to harnessing the shape's full beauty.
Aurela Diamonds offers IGI-certified lab-grown marquise diamonds selected for their symmetry, light performance, and minimal bow-tie. We appreciate that the marquise is a bold choice that requires confidence, and we help our Vancouver clients find stones that make a statement for all the right reasons, ensuring the drama comes from the diamond's beauty, not from cutting compromises.
History of the Marquise Cut
The marquise cut was commissioned by King Louis XV of France in the 18th century, who reportedly asked his court jeweller to create a diamond shape that mirrored the smile of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour. This romantic origin gave the shape both its name and its enduring association with elegance and aristocratic taste. The original marquise cuts were relatively crude by modern standards, but the distinctive navette (boat-shaped) outline has remained unchanged for over 250 years.
Over the centuries, the marquise has been refined with modern brilliant-cut faceting techniques that significantly improved its light performance. It enjoyed particular popularity in the 1970s and 1980s, and while it fell somewhat out of fashion in the 2000s, it has been experiencing a renewed appreciation among buyers who value distinctive, vintage-inspired jewellery. Today's marquise cuts benefit from precision laser cutting and computer-aided design, producing symmetry and brilliance that King Louis XV could never have imagined.
Marquise Diamond Characteristics
Pros & Cons
+Advantages
- Largest face-up appearance of any diamond shape relative to carat weight, offering exceptional perceived size
- Dramatically elongates the finger, creating an elegant, slenderising effect
- Distinctive, eye-catching silhouette that stands apart from more conventional shapes
- Brilliant-cut faceting produces strong sparkle and light performance
- Lower price per carat than round brilliants, making it a strong value choice
-Considerations
- Pointed ends are more vulnerable to chipping and require protective prong settings
- Susceptible to the bow-tie effect, which must be evaluated visually and is not reflected on certificates
- Symmetry is critical; even slight misalignment of the two points can be visually distracting
- Less commonly set in modern designs, which can limit ready-made setting options
- Colour can concentrate at the pointed tips, making warmer colour grades more noticeable
Best For
Recommended Ring Settings
Halo
A halo follows the marquise's dramatic outline, amplifying its already-impressive size while adding a border of sparkle that protects the pointed ends.
View Guide →Vintage
The marquise's aristocratic heritage pairs naturally with vintage-inspired settings featuring milgrain, filigree, and hand-engraved details.
View Guide →Solitaire
A solitaire with V-tip prongs at each end showcases the marquise's dramatic silhouette while providing essential protection for its vulnerable points.
View Guide →Buying Tips for Marquise Diamonds
Always insist on V-tip or V-prong settings at both pointed ends. Standard prongs cannot adequately protect the marquise's tips from chipping.
Evaluate the bow-tie effect through video or in-person viewing. A mild bow-tie is normal and can add depth, but a severe one diminishes the stone's beauty.
Symmetry is paramount. The two halves of a marquise should be mirror images of each other. Even minor asymmetry is easily detectable to the naked eye.
A length-to-width ratio between 1.75 and 2.15 is considered ideal. Below 1.75, the marquise looks stubby; above 2.15, it can appear too thin.
Lab-grown marquise diamonds are an especially smart choice because you can afford the higher colour grade (F-G) that prevents colour concentration at the tips.
Frequently Asked Questions
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