Marquise diamond cuts

have carved a small, but consistent slice of the diamond market. The oblong shape and severe points limit the number of setting styles a marquise will look good in. A marquise cut diamond features 58 facets and an elliptical shape with pointed ends. It has been around for centuries, and though it cannot brag the same level of popularity as the princess or round cuts, its traditional, long, narrow shape looks excellent on a ring finger.

The marquise cut’s

origin dates back to the 18th century when King Louis XV of France (1710-1774) commissioned a jeweler to design a cut shape that resembled the lips of his mistress, Jean Antoinette Poisson, the Marchioness Madame de Pompadour.  Over time, the marquise cut developed into the distinctive shape known today. While the narrow design has been refined over time, it maintains similarities to the original.

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

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.

It’s common to have marquise shapes paired with other gemstones to create unique and interesting ring styles. (You might want to check out some sapphire and diamond engagement rings for some gorgeous inspiration.) But another way you can personalize your marquise cut engagement ring is through the stone’s ratio. The suggested length to width ratio ranges from 1.75 to 2.25. However, see if you prefer a longer or shorter marquise diamond to pick a shape that is visually appealing for you. 

A longer marquise diamond

can create the illusion of a larger looking diamond as the carat weight is spread over a larger area. But you might prefer the look of a shorter marquise cut diamond, and that’s OK too. The most important thing is that you love your diamond.

Some marquise diamonds contain a bowtie effect. With their narrow shape, some marquise cuts produce an area of reduced color in the center of the gem sometimes resembling a bow tie.  All elongated fancy shapes have a bow tie effect, but a well-cut diamond will hide that effect with the brilliance of its facets. So be aware of that.

If you are looking for a fancy marquise cut here in Dallas, be sure to check our collections.