Marquise Diamonds: Buying Guide for Jewelry Lovers
Do you want your diamond to have a royal touch? Look no further than the classy Marquise diamond.
It’s elegant, unique, and beautiful. The cut will add a rare sparkle to your collection. The history of this cut makes it one of the most romantic diamonds ever.
Once you deep dive, you’ll surely fall in love with this cut.
What is a Marquise Cut Diamond?
Football-shaped cut, boat-shaped cut, or navette(meaning little ship in French) – call it whatever!
The marquise is one of the most unique cuts you will ever come across. This cut looks like an ellipse that features 56-58 facets. Your marquise cut can be narrow or wide depending on your personal preference. However a marquise diamond does lack the brilliance and sparkle of a round-cut.
Love like no other
The history of this diamond begins in the French court of Louis XV. The King wanted a diamond cut in the shape of his lover’s lips, Madame de Pompadour.
Therefore, the term ‘marquise’ stands for a rank in court. This particular diamond was also worn by people with an elite status.
So here’s a tip from history – adorn your bride to be with compliments.
Tell your beloved that their lips remind you of this cut. It will surely make for the most romantic gift.
This cut is popular among gemstones as well. If you are looking to buy one, here is everything you need to know.
How To Choose Your Marquise Cut Diamond?
Coming with its own set of advantages and disadvantages, here is all you need to know about Marquise Cut Diamonds.
Aesthetically pleasing cut
The marquise cut is a unique design. This diamond’s shape will make your fingers appear bigger. The width and length of the diamond may vary. You can be certain that diamonds of higher carat weight will appear bigger than other cuts.
The GIA does not grade the cut quality for fancy diamonds. Sticking between a 53%-62% table with a depth between 58%-62% should be ideal. A pavilion between 42.8%-43.2% with a length to width ratio of 1.85 to 2.25 is appropriate.
Here’s why you need to inspect your diamond first.
What’s the bow tie effect?
This cut might relate to a certain rank in court. But you don’t want that man of rank coming with a bow-tie. Getting it?
When we talk about diamond inclusions, the most common is the bow-tie effect.
The bow-tie effect occurs due to misaligned facets. The diamond surface fails to reflect the light of the surface. Instead, light moves out of the pavilion. This creates a dark area across the face of the diamond. Resembling the shape of a bow tie, this particular flaw is not easy to hide.
This inclusion is very common in marquise cuts. Choosing an eye-clean diamond becomes important in this case. The GIA reports do not account for this flaw. You will need to visibly check for such inclusions.
Color grading of marquise cuts
Anything between a D-F color grade is the best. If you choose a yellow or rose gold setting, certain warm tones might work. Marquise diamonds between D-F are very expensive.
Inclusions are something to keep in mind. The bigger your diamond, the more chances of it being darker around the edges. This means you might choose diamonds of a lower color grade.
Here are the color grades to keep in mind as per carat weight:
- Below .50 – D-G color grade. Avoid L-M
- .50- 1.0 – D-F color grade. Avoid K onwards
- 1.0- 2.0 – D-F color grade. Avoid I onwards
- 2.0 and above – D-F color grade. Avoid H onwards
Picking Perfect Symmetry
The marquise shape is what makes it the belle of the ball. So never compromise on its symmetry. The two ends of a marquise cut should be in perfect alignment. The left and right sides of the stone should mirror each other.
Remember, you are paying for the shape. If not symmetrical, it will affect the entire shape of the diamond. Symmetry is something you need to be finicky about when buying a marquise diamond.
The right carat weight
Due to its shallow cut, you don’t need a stone with a high carat weight. Marquise diamonds of the same carat weight appear bigger when compared to other cuts. For this reason, you can always go for a low carat diamond without worrying about its appearance.
How to Pick Setting For Your Marquise Diamond?
The right setting will always make your diamond a stunner. Let’s grab a look.
Solitaire setting
You need to be somewhat careful with a solitaire setting. The pointed edges of a marquise face the danger of getting chipped. A prong setting on a V-end or V-tip solitaire ring can help solve this problem.
Marquise solitaire rings are very beautiful. The sharp edges of this cut are unique. But it is important to protect them from any kind of damage with a prong attachment.
Three stone setting
Do not limit your marquise to a solitaire. A three-stone setting is ideal for this diamond. Two flank diamonds with a marquise centerpiece can be your dream engagement ring. A three-stone setting with gemstones will also work wonders!
Halo setting
Stick to a vintage design with mini diamonds surrounding your marquis. Choosing a pave’ halo setting will enhance the diamond’s brilliance and appearance. An Art deco halo setting will be ideal since it will reflect vintage aesthetics that were popular in the Victorian Age.
Bezel setting
Going for a bezel setting can be an elegant choice. This setting reduces the diamond’s surface exposure to light. A combination of the bezel’s low profile with the shallowness of a marquise makes it a perfect match.
Marquise Diamond Jewelry
The unique shape of a marquise makes it ideal for vintage and modern settings. Moving beyond rings, marquise diamonds are a treat for jewelry lovers. The cut is perfect for earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. This cut is for those who are looking to explore new possibilities.
Conclusion
Buying your diamond is as important as picking the right one. Jewel Hero ensures you get the best deal every time. We connect verified store owners with eager buyers. Our excellent service and track record includes quality assurance from diamond experts near you.