Marquise Cut Diamonds
Marquise diamonds have an elongated shape with pointed ends and is sometimes referred to as a navette (French for ‘little boat’). Its creation was inspired by the fetching smile of the Marchioness Madame de Pompadour and commissioned by France’s Louis XIV, who wanted a diamond to resemble the shape of her lips.
Carat for carat, marquise diamonds have one of the largest crown surface areas of any diamond shape, making it a great choice when trying to maximize the perceived size of a diamond. And like the oval diamond, the elongated shape of the marquise cut can make the finger of the wearer appear longer and slimmer.
While not as popular as some other cuts, the Marquise diamond has a traditional elegance all of its own and famous celebrities who agree because they own one themselves include Ashley Simpson, Victoria Beckham, and Catherine Zeta Jones.
Choosing a Marquise cut diamond
Symmetry is very important when selecting marquise diamonds. The two end points should align with each other and the right and left sides should form a near mirror image. Even a slight misalignment in the points can result in an off-kilter look in the final setting, so Excellent or at least Very Good symmetry is highly recommended.
It should always be set with prongs to protect the two points (the most likely location for the diamond to be chipped). As these points were once nearest the outer edge of the rough stone, flaws such as natural inclusions, extra facets and other inclusions may be located here. But if the points are covered by prongs, the flaws will be invisible once the diamond is set.
Another thing to look out for when selecting a Marquise cut diamond is the Bow Tie Effect. This is where the narrow shape of the cut produces an area of reduced colour in the centre of the stone resembling a bow tie. This effect is present in many elongated cuts, so if all you can see in your Marquis diamond is the brilliance of its facets, you can be sure it has been cut by an expert.
Learn more about how GIA grades cut.
Find the perfect marquise diamond on our diamond search
Australia’s foremost diamond brokers
At Australian Diamond Brokers, we’ve been helping lovers of diamonds and lovers in general to find the perfect stones for their taste and budget since 1977. And our customers can always buy with confidence from us, because we abide by the Kimberley Process and only purchase conflict-free diamonds that are ethically sourced from trusted suppliers.
When you book a consultation with us and come to our Sydney showroom, you will be warmly welcomed and treated with respect, integrity, and discretion. We are committed to ensuring every customer is 100% satisfied with their buying decision and we always endeavour to make your experience an informative and memorable occasion.
Talk to our diamond graders and expert jewellers and you will quickly understand why those seeking expert knowledge and advice about diamonds always come to Australian Diamond Brokers.
We cordially invite you to visit us
Australian Diamond Brokers’ Sydney showroom is located in the CBD opposite the MLC Centre at 70 Castlereagh Street between Chanel and Bvlgari. We invite you to visit us any time during business hours to view our exciting diamond range in person. You can also book for a private consultation any Thursday evening from 5 to 7pm or Saturday from 10.30am to 3pm by calling us on 02 9232 2328.
We are confident we can find you the diamond you and your loved one are looking for and we can also create the perfect setting for its display. So come and see us soon at Australian Diamond Brokers, the leading purveyor of diamonds and quality gemstones.
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