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What You Need to Know About Marquise Cut Diamonds | Rare Carat
About Marquise Cut Diamonds
Let's get right to the list of what makes marquise cut diamonds special and what you should look for when buying a marquise shape diamond.
- Just like ovals, marquises will make almost any fingers look elongated and elegant.
- They look bigger than round cut diamonds with the same weight, and they tend to be cheaper. High five!
- Be careful when it comes to L/W Ratio with Marquises. Look for something between 1.8:1 and 2.2:1. Youâll thank me later.
- Now the cons: Marquise cut diamonds tend to have a bow tie. I know, again. But donât worry, you can find a Marquise with a diminished one. Just try to stick with a depth range from 58% to 64%.
- Also, the shape of the girdle matters for a Marquise cut. If itâs too thick, a lot of space would have been wasted inside the diamond. If itâs too thin, your diamond will be extremely fragile. I suggest you look for âthinâ or âslightlyâ thin only.
- When it comes to color, Marquise cut diamonds donât hide it that well, unlike their round counterparts, and maybe even in a more pronounced way than the other fancy cuts. I suggest you go for a G color diamond or higher.
- But for clarity, donât be afraid to go as low as VS2 or SI1, as long as you know where they are. Marquises are good at hiding small inclusion.
- For grading reports, my advice is you only pick a GIA graded Marquise diamond.
Learn more about marquise cut diamonds.
What makes a marquise cut diamond a good choice compared with other shapes?
The marquise cut offers a few strong advantages. Because of its elongated shape, it tends to make fingers appear longer and slimmer, which enhances the look of many hands. Also, you typically get more âface-upâ size for your budget: marquise cuts often cost less than equivalent round diamonds while looking larger.
What are the key proportions or âtell-talesâ to check when selecting a marquise diamond?
Two big things to look for: the length-to-width (L/W) ratio and whether thereâs a âbow-tieâ or dark shadow across the center. The article recommends a safe L/W ratio for marquise cuts of roughly 1.8:1 to 2.2:1. And youâll want to inspect the diamond (in photos, video, or in person) for the bow-tie effectâa heavy dark zone can reduce the sparkle.
How do color and clarity apply to marquise cut diamonds â are the same standards as rounds okay?
Not exactly. The marquise shape hides some small inclusions quite well because of its brilliance and facet design, so you may not need the very highest clarity grade (for example, VS2 or even SI1 might work) depending on where the inclusions are placed.
However, color is more visible in marquise cuts (especially at the pointed ends or edges), so the article suggests aiming for roughly a âGâ color or better if you want minimal color tint.
Are there any special risks or setting considerations when choosing a marquise cut diamond?
Yes â the pointed ends are vulnerable. Because of its shape, the marquise has two sharp/pointed tips and a long profile, which means that the tips can chip if not protected properly. Also, symmetry matters a lot: if the two ends donât mirror each other, the stone can look âoffâ. And youâll want to pick a setting with prongs or a protective design around the points.
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Marquise Cut Diamond FAQs