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 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 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.
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
-Considerations
- Pointed ends are more vulnerable to chipping and require protective prong settings
- Susceptible to the bow-tie effect. Some bow-tie is normal, but if it’s too prominent, it can reduce brilliance.
- Colour can concentrate at the pointed tips, making warmer colour grades more noticeable
Explore Other Diamond Shapes
Compare different shapes to find the perfect match for your style.
Ready to Find Your Perfect Diamond?
Explore our collection of stunning lab-grown diamond rings or design your own custom piece.