Marquise Diamonds

Of all diamond cuts, marquise diamonds are probably the most unusual – and therefore can be the centerpiece of truly unique settings.

The Fancy Shape Of Marquise Diamonds

Marquise diamonds are considered fancy cuts, a term which jewelers and diamond cutters use to refer to any cut that is not a “round brilliant” – which is the most common of diamond shapes.

Why “fancy cuts?” It’s a kind of euphemism, really. Because of the way the carbon molecules are arranged, a natural piece of rough diamond is usually octagonal in shape. This is the ideal of all diamond shapes, because it is easiest to shape into round brilliant cuts – which are the most economical and popular of diamond shapes. In fact, often a skilled diamond cutter can get two gems from a single piece of such diamond.

Sometimes however, raw diamonds are oddly shaped and do not lend themselves to a traditional round or oval cut. In such case, it may be cut into an asymmetrical shape like a teardrop, or an elongated one. It’s a case of a diamond-cutter having to make the best of a less-than-ideal situation; a great deal of the diamond material is wasted with these cuts, but the results can be spectacular.

A Modified Brilliant

Marquise diamonds are classified as “modified brilliants” because they can be cut into shapes that sparkle and refract light in the same way as round brilliants. Marquise diamonds are variously described as similar to a football, a cat’s pupil, and the hull of a double-ended sailboat (hence it’s French name, “navette”).

Because of its elongated shape, marquise diamonds can greatly compliment a woman with delicate hands and long, slender fingers. This most elegant of all diamond shapes is usually placed in a ring using an end setting; less commonly, a bezel setting is used. Prong settings however do not work well with this kind of cut.

Shopping For Marquise Diamonds

If you plan on purchasing loose marquise diamonds as an investment or for crafting jewelry, there are certain things to look for. Color and clarity (a lack of visible flaws within the stone itself) is important, as these tend to be much more noticeable in this cut than with traditional round cuts.

Marquise diamonds can also be prone to what is called the “bow-tie effect.” This happens if a diamond has been cut improperly cut, causing a dark “bow-tie” shape to appear inside the gem.