You can see straight away that a marquise diamond is not for everyone, because of this gemstone's unusual shape. As the name suggests, this diamond shape has a noble history and origins in France. The marquise diamond is characterised by a number of unique features which you should take into account when choosing to let this diamond be the sparkle in your engagement ring, necklace or earrings. In this article we set out in detail what makes the marquise cut so special.
The marquise diamond is notable for its elliptical shape with pointed ends and is sometimes called 'navette', after the French word for a ‘little boat’. The marquise diamond has the largest crown area of all cuts. This makes the diamond seem bigger than other gemstones with equal carat weight.
The marquise cut is especially popular with necklaces and earrings. Unlike the brilliant cut, the marquise diamond is less common in engagement rings. This diamond cut is more suitable for those ladies who love distinctive jewellery, thanks to the pronounced shape. Just as with the oval diamond, the elongated shape makes the finger appear longer and slimmer.
The marquise is considered one of the more elegant and feminine diamond shapes
The cutting techniques at the time were not yet as refined and accurate as today, but the boat shape - the so-called navette - was certainly recognisable. The marquise cut diamond has 58 facets, just like a brilliant: 33 facets on the crown and 25 on the pavilion.
Just as with other elongated cuts, such as the baguette or oval diamond, the marquise diamond appears visibly larger than the actual carat weight. The marquise cut is therefore very suitable for ladies who like to show off slightly larger and more striking jewellery.
As well as the size of the diamond, the pointy shape also contributes to the unique appearance of the marquise diamond. The marquise looks rather impressive mounted in a solitaire ring or as the centre stone in a halo ring. Furthermore, this regal diamond cut lends itself perfectly to finishing off exclusive jewellery. Because of this, marquise diamonds often feature in necklaces or earrings.
A marquise diamond should be cut very accurately. If the facets are not carefully aligned, black shapes appear inside the diamond. Since these shapes look like a bow tie, this is also known as the bow tie effect. This effect can be avoided by cutting an extra facet on the culet. The bow tie effect is sometimes also seen in oval, pear and heart-shaped diamonds.
As regards the cut, the marquise cut is not an obvious choice, but it is a
multifaceted shape with a unique appearance.
Deciding on a navette diamond for your engagement ring is a choice which won't go unnoticed, for sure. The unique appearance of this noble diamond shape has charmed many celebs in the past:
The marquise diamond cut is the perfect choice particularly for ladies who are unsure about their fingers or hands. The unique shape makes it look as if the wearer has slimmer fingers. Depending on the size of your hands and fingers, choose either the north-south setting to make the fingers look longer, or the east-west one for the distinct design.
When deciding to buy jewellery with a marquise cut diamond, we recommend keeping the colour in mind. Marquise diamonds show more colour than round diamonds, because the ends are not so rounded. It is therefore a good idea to go for more colour, with a marquise cut. In terms of clarity, it's best to avoid gemstones with inclusions visible near the middle. Any inclusions near the ends will barely be seen if held by the setting prongs.
As with any diamond, symmetry is a decisive factor when making your choice. The unique shape of the marquise cut makes it easier to spot an asymmetrical cut here than with any other diamond cut. Make sure that the ends of the marquise diamond are evenly positioned directly opposite each other, for the best possible symmetry.
Marquise diamonds rest on four or six prongs, depending on the design. Make sure you buy an engagement ring where the prongs protect the marquise’s pointed ends, reducing the risk of them breaking off. For the shape to have maximum effect, we recommend at least a 1.50carat stone on the ring. If you want to add extra sparkle or make the diamond appear visibly bigger, you can easily do that with a halo.
The cut of a diamond largely determines the appearance of the jewellery, not only for engagement rings, but also for other jewellery such as necklaces and earrings, This is certainly the case with BAUNAT designer jewellery: collections where exclusive diamond shapes are combined in a unique way.
A marquise diamond in your engagement ring or necklace may be a striking choice, but other cuts can also make your jewellery unique. Wondering which diamond cuts look modern and luxurious, or do you prefer a diamond with a charismatic look? You can find out all about it in our blog: