Don't Buy A Marquise Diamond Until You've Read This
Welcome to The Clear Cut Classroom, where we take deep dives into all things diamonds (and jewelry!) Are you shopping around for your perfect marquise diamond? These are some important tips and tricks to use when considering which dreamy marquise is for you!
Marquise diamonds are an elongated diamond shape with two end points. They are a unique fancy shape diamond that are making a long-awaited trend comeback after many years. And we are here for it!
What's great about a marquise diamond is that they look much larger than their actual carat weight AND look really flattering on the finger. These diamonds give off great finger coverage, it's definitely a diamond made to be seen!
An important factor to consider is the diamond's length to width ratio. Have you thought about your preferences with shape? You can aim for a wider shape to a more elongated silhouette. These ratios typically fall in between a 1.7 to 2.2 length to width ratio. You have the room to make the choice on your style!
1.70ct Marquise Cut Diamond with Half Moon Sidestones
When considering the length to width ratio, it is very important take into account how you want the diamond set! Do you want the diamond set 'north-south'? The more traditional and typical style, this has the two points running up and down along the finger. Or do you see yourself wearing your marquise in an east-west direction, where the two points go side-to-side, around the finger. This way has become a popular one! If you're considering this style, maybe consider a slightly shorter ratio to keep the stone protected.
1.89ct Marquise Cut Diamond Set East-West
Another typical characteristic with elongated shapes to be aware of is their tendency for darkness to sit in the center of the stone. That's just the nature of the cut, called the bowtie effect. When looking at the diamond face on, the bowtie effect is the way the light is reflecting. It just looks like a slight shadow sitting in the center. Nothing to be concerned about with the quality of the diamond, but we want to lessen how apparent the bowtie is when choosing the right diamond.
1.54ct Marquise Cut Diamond
An important factor to always remember is finding the perfect color & clarity combination. Stay in the colorless to near colorless range, being D-J on the color scale. You can even find a nice K color diamond if it faces up nice and white!
Diamond Color Chart
This cut's clarity can work with you and not against you. Marquise diamonds can mask inclusions really well, starting at VS2 and up. It's totally possible to find a really great stone in the SI1 and SI2 range as long as the diamond is eye clean.
Diamond Clarity Chart
A unique and important precaution to take with your marquise diamond is that there should be no inclusions near the two end points of the diamonds. The two points are very sensitive areas of the diamond and are susceptible to damage if there are any inclusions existing there. You want to make sure that you set the diamond with protection, setting prongs on the end tips. Some style choices we love when setting a marquise diamond are a north-south-east-west 4 prong style, or V-shaped prong tips. Marquise diamonds can be set either with 4 prongs or 6 prongs, this is best to keep this gorgeous diamond set in place and protected!
Three Stone Marquise Cut Diamond Ring with 6 Prongs
When shopping for your marquise diamond, consider: your preferences on the diamond's length to width ratio, the direction you want to set your diamond (north-south or east-west), the color-clarity combination (being sure there are no inclusions near the tips), and to have either a 4 or 6 prong style setting for your beautiful marquise!
Any questions about your diamond design journey? Are you ready to bling it on this year? Book a call with one of our certified gemologists today!