You’re proposing to her soon. And it’s something that you’re hoping you’ll do only once in your lifetime. So you’re looking at engagement rings and would like to buy something that’s stylish and distinctive – just like her.
A marquise diamond engagement ring will impress your woman who loves eye-catching fashion and unique impressions. The marquise cut, or Navette cut, looks like a stretched oval diamond bearing 55 to 58 facets. If symmetrical, the stone’s length will be twice its width.
Advantages of the Marquise Cut
This unique stone cut has characteristics that are often the reasons why some choose it for their engagement ring.
Flatters the finger. The marquise cut, except when placed on an east-west setting, gives a lengthening effect on fingers. It is, however, best on hands with long fingers. But if it has the right size and comes with not too heavy accents on the ring, it can slim down and lengthen short fingers.
Looks larger than it actually is. This cut is one of the shallowest cuts for diamonds. Comparing a marquise-cut diamond with a round-cut or a princess-cut of the same carat, the marquise will look bigger. If the ring design you want depends on the size of the stone and not so much on fire and brilliance, pick the marquise cut over other cuts with deeper pavilions. It will turn out to be less expensive.
Speaks romance. The origin of the marquise cut may be enticing enough for you to purchase an engagement ring with this diamond cut. It’s believed that King Louis XIV ordered for a diamond to be cut in such a way that it will represent the smile of his lover, Marquise de Pompadour. Isn’t that romantic?
Less flaws visible. A well-cut marquise diamond can also have a fairly good amount of fire and brilliance, although not as excellent as the ones you’ll get in a round or princess cut. But colour tints and minor inclusions can be easily hidden in a marquise, unlike in round or princess cuts.
Ideal Settings and Details
A marquise-cut diamond is a classic cut. But because of its interesting shape, it also projects a hint of modernity. Depending on the overall appeal that you want, the jeweller can make it into a traditional, a vintage or a contemporary engagement ring. But whatever the design, the jeweller will usually recommend only two setting options for you – the 6-prong and the bezel settings.
6-prong setting. This is the most ideal setting for a marquise. The stone is supported by one prong at the top, another at the bottom and two on either side. The ring can be as understated as a solitaire. If you want to add more sparkle to the ring, the marquise cut also looks lovely with side stones or micro diamonds in the under-carriage. You can also have three marquise diamonds for a three-stone ring.
Bezel setting. While this setting further reduces the fire and brilliance of a marquise cut, it protects the stone more securely than a 6-prong setting since the metal wraps around the stone. In addition, if you want a modern design for the ring, the bezel setting can project that look very well.
Just like other stone cuts, a marquise has its own beauty and benefits. An engagement ring with this diamond cut is definitely fitting for a stylish woman. But keep in mind that the marquise cut has to be used with the right setting, design and details to maximize its distinctive characteristics.
