A marquise diamond ring is a unique wedding ring and a good alternative for couples wanting to avoid the traditional round diamonds. The special shape and cut of the marquise diamond dates back to 18th century France and to the famous Marquise de Pompadour.
The marquise diamond is cut in a very distinctive way, and has generally 56 facets, a long, oval shape and tapered and pointed ends. The marquise style of cutting diamonds originates from the mistress of the French King Louis XIV, who ruled France in the 18th century. According to legend, the king wanted a diamond in the shape of the smiling lips of his lover, the Marquise de Pompadour.
A marquise diamond can look larger and heavier than it actually is, and this due to an optical illusion created by the cut. Ideally, the length of a marquise diamond should be twice its width, although there are marquise diamonds with slightly different proportions on the market. The diamond also has a so-called bow tie effect: the cut can create a shadow across its centre that looks like a bow tie. This effect is often considered a flaw in the cut. Some people like the bow tie effect, but it actually means that the diamond is not reflecting light as well as it should be, and that some of the light is leaking out, which creates a less sparkling diamond. A good quality diamond does not have a very visible bow tie effect.
What is a Diamond’s Cut?
Diamond quality is determined by the so-called 4 C’s: carat, cut, clarity and color.
The cut is not the same as the diamond’s shape, although this is a common miscomprehension. The cut determines the diamond’s quality based on its symmetry, its polish and its proportions. The cut takes into account the width and the depth of the diamond, and the proportions between the different facets of the diamond.
A good cut, with right proportions, can make the diamond sparkle as it reflects light between its different facets and eventually out through its top part. A cut that is too deep may make the diamond look uneven, as if some parts are darker than others are. A shallow cut often creates a diamond with a lifeless appearance. The cut can be tested with special light performance tests to see how light bounces back from the different facets.
The stone’s symmetry means the alignment between the facets in the diamond. The polish of a diamond is also important as light passes through well polished surfaces better than poorly polished. The best polish is classified as excellent or ideal, although a “very good” polish usually is enough for the diamond to be considered as having a good cut.
Most people know that the carat means the weight of the diamond. The larger the diamond, meaning the higher the carat (or “ct”), the more expensive and valuable it is. The color of a diamond is graded by using letters from D to Z. Although the purest diamonds are white or colorless, diamonds are available in a variety of colors including yellow and brown shades and pale blue or pink shades. The letters D, E or F mean that the diamond is colorless, and S to Z is a sign of a yellow or brown diamond.
The clarity of the diamond means the amount of flaws inside or on the surface of the stone. Although most stones have some flaws, the best categories (as determined by the international GIA grading system) are Fl, meaning flawless, and IF, or Internally Flawless.
Why Consider Marquise Diamonds?
Marquise engagement rings are popular with couples looking for affordable rings. Marquise diamond rings can be cheaper than rings with round diamonds, and because of the optical illusion created by the cut, the stone looks larger than it actually is. Marquise diamonds are often also combined with other types of diamonds or even other gemstones in a wedding ring. A marquise cut diamond ring is also a unique choice compared to other rings with the more popular round cut. It is often recommended for women who have long and slim fingers as it can highlight the shape of a slender finger. Marquise diamonds are also popular in bridal sets, and a marquise diamond ring is a beautiful option for a bride wanting something a little bit different.
When buying marquise diamond engagement rings, make sure that the diamond’s clarity and color are of a high standard. The unique cut can highlight any flaws, and this is one of the reasons why rings with a marquee diamond can be cheaper than rings with a round stone. Make sure, too, that the bow tie effect is not too visible. Before buying diamonds or other precious stones or jewelry, ask the seller to show you a GIA or an AGS certificate for the stone to guarantee of the quality of the diamond.