Stone Shape Guide: Marquise Cut Engagement Rings
When you’re looking to pop the question to your significant other, there are a number of factors that you need to take into consideration. Whether or not your partner would be comfortable with a public proposal is a big one, and that along with how casual or formal it is can make a big impact on how your fiance will remember the event. Here at Bercott Diamonds, we believe that customising an engagement ring is a great way of making a statement without going over the top and making your partner look back on the proposal and cringe. To guide you along the way, we’ve provided you with some insight on the various styles of rings. We’ve prepared a brief list of facts on marquise cut engagement rings so that Edinburgh clients can shop with us with more background knowledge.
While it still makes the list of top ten most popular stone shapes, the Marquise cut diamond is seldom found, especially in comparison to round cuts or princess cuts. The marquise diamond cut, otherwise known as the football-shaped cut, navette, or the boat-shaped cut, is an elliptical shape with delicately pointed ends. Like the princess cut, symmetry is very important when selecting a marquise cut engagement ring. Any defect in symmetry will affect the equilibrium of the diamond and ruin the overall appearance of the ring. The length to width ratio is more forgiving with this cut, and you do have more freedom to choose what look you want. The classic marquise cut engagement ring does have a ratio of 1.75 – 2.15, but personal preference can be taken into account.
While the marquise cut engagement ring isn’t the most popular, Edinburgh clients wanting to purchase this diamond cut can feel rest-assured that it offers a unique ring style with a stunning look and a particularly interesting history. The name of the cut is derived from the legend that King Louis XIV commissioned a diamond fashioned to resemble the Marquise of Pompadour’s ‘perfectly shaped’ lips. The Marquise of Pompadour, or Jean Antoinette Poisson, was King Louis’ ‘official chief mistress’ (his lover) between 1745 – 1751, and while this legend may not be verified as true, the association with regality has withstood the test of time. ‘Marquise’ is the feminine form of marquess and it is a hereditary rank that lies between a duke and an earl, leading to the elegant cut protruding an air of aristocracy even today. The story alone makes it an undeniably romantic cut that is guaranteed to impress your partner.
Similar to the emerald cut, the marquise cut is great because it appears larger than other cuts. The unique shape creates a large crown surface in relation to the carat weight, which is great for a shopper who is on a budget. It also boasts between 56 and 58 facets and the narrow design compliments any wearer. For those of us who have been cursed with short fingers, the marquise cut engagement ring can make the ring finger appear longer and more elegant. For people wanting a more individual antique look, a marquise diamond is perfect and will make for a ring that your loved one will treasure.
However, as with buying any diamond, there are a couple of things that you need to look out for and a couple of problems that are specifically due to the shape of this type of cut. The most common one you will be warned about is something called ‘the bow-tie’ effect. The bow-tie effect is basically a reduction in colour near the centre of the diamond. It presents itself as two triangular shadows near the middle of the ring, hence the name. Grading reports do not give you any information as to the extent of the bow-tie effect in any given diamond, so it’s something you will need to visually assess. Another issue specific to marquise diamonds is the potential for chipping. The delicately pointed edges are prone to breaking, so you need to ensure that the setting you select is adequate protection. At Bercotts, we recommend a V-tipped setting or a Halo setting so as to protect the edges. Our team will be happy to set you in the right direction when it comes to choosing your marquise cut engagement ring in Edinburgh. We’re experts who know exactly what you should be looking for when it comes to this type of diamond cut. To book an appointment, please fill out our contact form. We cannot wait to help you choose the perfect engagement ring.
