Welcome back to the Diamonds Hatton Garden blog where we bring you the latest from our family run team of Hatton Garden Jewellers. In the latest instalment of our fancy shaped diamond buying guide we look at the beautiful and historic marquise cut and give you all you need to know about buying a marquise diamond engagement ring. If you missed them, read our guides cushion cut engagement rings, emerald cut engagement rings and find out more about our diamond engagement rings in Hatton Garden.
History of the marquise diamond
It is rumoured that King Louis XV requested a diamond be cut to capture the smile of his beloved mistress, the Marchioness Madame de Pompadour. Befitting of a gem for the lover of a King, the naming of this precious shape is tied to royal courts. The name “marquise” refers to a hereditary rank above a count but below a duke and comes from the fact that courtiers wore marquise cut diamonds in order to show off their rank.
Graceful and striking, the elegant rounded sides and pointed ends of the marquise cut diamond create a look that’s both unique and stylish. The classically shaped stone elongates the finger, flattering the wearer with a shape that enhances the carat weight of the diamond and maximises scintillation.
Marquise cut diamond rings are usually more affordable than other cuts of diamonds, which makes them popular for those looking for exceptional quality and value when choosing an engagement ring. A Marquise cut maximises the amount of carat weight in a diamond so it appears to be larger than other cuts of diamonds such as the round brilliant..
Why choose a marquise diamond?
Before we go into greater detail with our Marquise cut diamond buyer’s guide, let’s explore the basic pros and cons of this historic cut.
Pros
- The Marquise cut looks larger than other cuts due to its elongated shape. The stretched crown makes the diamond appear bigger than shapes that are more condensed.
- Slimming effect. Like with the appearance of looking larger, the elongated shape of the Marquise cut has a slimming effect on the finger.
- Hides inclusions well. Marquise diamonds are a modified brilliant cut. Its facets are cut similar to round brilliants, but it’s overall shape is distinct.
Cons
- Bowtie effect. As with oval cut diamonds and pear cut diamonds, the Marquise cut can suffer from a bowtie effect which is caused by light shining through and reflecting off the facets of the stone, and is defused in a way that creates this shadow.
- Generally speaking, Marquise cut diamonds are more expensive than other fancy cut shapes.
- Durability. The pointed ends of a Marquise cut, if not looked after, can chip.
Recommended Cut & Proportions For Marquise Diamonds
As when choosing any loose diamond, it is important to examine the various ratios available to you and marry your options with your personal taste and budget. Certain cuts, such as the Emerald cut, have specific recommendations when considering the ratio of length to width, Once again, ensure that the diamond you choose looks good to the wearer and that they like it!
Generally speaking, the most popular length to width ratios for Marquise Diamonds range from 1.70-2.15. Length to width ratio can be determined by dividing the length of a diamond by its width. For instance, if a diamond maintains a length of 5mm and width of 3mm, the length to width ratio is 1.67. Ratios closer to 1.70 tend to look a bit bulkier whereas ratios of 1.95 and above look more slender and have greater durability and, at the other end of the scale, a ratio of 2.15 is even more elongated. Symmetry is of noticeable importance for the MArquise cut as we want to ensure that both points align perfectly and even the smallest difference can take away from the stone’s beauty and elegance.
Marquise Cut Diamond – Clarity – What to consider?
We recommend looking for marquise diamonds with a clarity of s1 or s2 – of course it is important to examine each diamond in person as each diamond appears different to the naked eye.
Marquise Cut Diamond – Colour – What to consider?
As with clarity, we believe that with colour it is important to examine the diamond in person as a certificate does not give all of the information that an actual viewing does. Marquise cuts are a brilliant all rounder and we recommend a colour G or H which offers the best value vs a diamond that appears colourless. You may be able to lower your colour choice to an I, J if you decide to set the diamond in a yellow gold mount.
Marquise Cut Diamond Size Chart
Unsure what size Marquise cut diamond to choose? At Diamonds Hatton Garden our team of family-run jewellers have assisted generations of clients to find their perfect Marquise cut diamond engagement ring. Contact our team via harel@diamondshg.co.uk or call +44 7951 060238 for more information and to arrange your appointment. Alternatively, explore our selection of fancy coloured yellow diamonds for sale and if you are looking to buy fancy Pink diamond jewellery contact our team as well as viewing our latest Diamond earrings in Hatton Garden.