What to Know Before Buying a Marquise Diamond
Consider the diamond 4Cs when choosing a Marquise cut diamond to find a quality diamond that meets your preferences and budget.
VRAI’s Sr. Director of Sales & CX, Grace Taylor, provides expert advice below on what to consider when buying a Marquise diamond.
Marquise Diamonds & Cut
“Because of its elongation, the cut is supremely important in a Marquise. You want to ensure that you have an optimal cut so that there isn’t a dark bowtie effect in the center of the diamond. This is a common pitfall of elongated shapes that aren't cut to exacting standards,” explains Taylor.
VRAI only offers excellent cut Marquise diamonds. We don’t recommend buying a Marquise cut diamond with anything less than an excellent cut grade.
Marquise Diamonds & Color
“For color, like any brilliant cut, a Marquise will start to show some visible warmth in the I/J color range. If you're opting for a cool metal tone like platinum or white gold you'll want to stay in the colorless range for your Marquise,” suggests Taylor.
“You’ll also want to ensure that the color is evenly distributed throughout the stone,” Taylor continues. “The faceting changes from the center to the tip of elongated shapes, so you'll sometimes see color pooling in the end points of a Marquise. Make sure that, no matter the color grade you choose, the color appears even throughout.”
Marquise Diamonds & Carat
“Due to its elongation, Marquise diamonds will face up large on the finger. They are long and shallow stones, so the weight of the diamond will show in its length,” explains Taylor. “Make sure that you choose a size that fits comfortably on your finger. If you have smaller hands or shorter fingers, a Marquise will take up a lot of surface area between your knuckles.”
It’s easy to save on carat weight with Marquise diamonds. Many shoppers prefer to choose a Marquise diamond between 1.0-2.0 carats for engagement rings, as higher carat weights may look too long on their finger.
Marquise Diamonds & Clarity
“Marquise’s are forgiving when it comes to clarity because they are more faceted than a step cut shape. A VS2 clarity or higher is advised for Marquise diamonds,” advises Taylor. “You'll also find decent options as low as SI1. Just make sure that you're reviewing the highly magnified video to verify that the inclusions aren't too apparent when you get into that lower range.”
Marquise Diamond “Bow-Tie” Effect
The "bow-tie effect" is when a shadow or darker area appears in the shape of a bow tie in the center of the diamond. This effect is caused by the way light reflects off the pavilion (the bottom part) of the diamond. It’s more commonly seen in diamonds that have a shallow or poorly cut pavilion.
The bow-tie effect can impact the overall appearance of a Marquise and may make it appear less bright. To minimize the bow-tie effect, it’s important to choose a Marquise cut diamond with a well-cut pavilion. This will allow the diamond to reflect light more evenly and effectively.
Best Ratio for Marquise Cuts
The correct ratio ensures that your Marquise diamond has its coveted elliptical shape. The wrong ratio can make a Marquise look too wide or too long.
“Our fourth-generation master diamond cutters have chosen a ratio of 2.0 for our Marquise diamonds. This means that they are the most elongated shape in our entire collection,” says Taylor. “While you'll find marquise diamonds with a variety of ratios, a 2.0 ratio is going to ensure that your marquise can't be mistaken for another similar shape, like an oval.”
