Marquise Engagement Rings

The term ‘marquise’ is an interesting word. Depending on what part of the world you are from, it is likely to evoke various sentiments. Mainly due to the presence of similar-sounding terms, such as ‘marquee’ and ‘marquis’. The previous term refers to a large tent, often on a rich occasion: an invitation to a grand event. The latter refers to a certain class of nobility found in European societies. And interestingly this relationship between terms: that correspond to nobility, and high-class events is not too far from what is captured by the marquise engagement rings. In this post, we will outline the main feature of the marquise engagement rings: the character of the specific gemstone, how it relates to the style of the engagement ring, and how it differs from notable competitive gemstone styles.

What is the Marquise Cut?

In the world of gemstones, specifically in the world of diamonds, there is a degree of confusion when it comes to gemstone (diamond) cuts. Since diamonds are the most popular gemstones in the world, in terms of value, recognition, and history of use. And main gemstones we find today tend to originate in the world of carbon-based precious stones that have produced a plethora of shapes and cuts. The Marquise diamond tends to get confusing as there is a tendency to view it as a distinct gemstone cut, like the famous round brilliant cut and princess cut diamonds. The Marquise cut is technically a diamond shape. As its distinguishing feature is its oval shape which truly stands apart from most other main gemstone shapes. Effectively the marquise engagement ring contains a centre stone that features the fancy marquise shape gemstone. On the technical side, the Marquise cut diamonds feature a total of 58 facets and a very noticeable elliptical shape that is arguably the most stand-out feature, and its unmistakable pointy ends.

History of the Marquise Engagement Ring

The development of marquise engagement rings is an interesting one. Its origins, true to its name, go back to the European nobility. The introduction of the Marquise style was in the 18^th century. Though its actual origins go back even further back in history. It is believed the famous King Louis XV of France, commissioned a Royal jeweller to design a gemstone shape that resembled the mouth of Jean Antoinette Poisson, a member of the French court and a lover of the French monarch. Its Royal adoption, and the distinct character of its style, soon caught on, driving its popularity. However its unique shape, also made it a more novel choice, a point which remains to this day. As Marquise shape gemstone remains an interesting outlier, that is not as commonly well-known as popular diamond cuts.

The marquise cut which began life in the world of diamonds gained prominence in the world of coloured gemstones. With top-coloured gems like emeralds, rubies, and sapphires increasingly adopting this particular shape. And its distinct visual presence, which comes with its own set of strengths has made it a worthy option. This takes us to the next point on the list: the key strengths of the Marquise Engagement ring.

Strengths of the Marquise Engagement Ring

Marquise cuts fall under the category of fancy gemstone shapes in the world of gemstones. For they fall outside the more popular options like the round, square, cushion and emerald cuts. Since that is the case, the features that set marquise diamond engagement rings apart are often not well known. For a quick breakdown: marquise engagement rings are most notable for their elongated shape, which creates the impression that the gemstone is larger than it is. Marquise engagement rings are a good option for those who wish to opt for a smaller carat stone, but one that nonetheless maintains a sizable presence. Since the centre stone is all present, going with Marquise cut diamond is a good choice in this regard.

Affordability

A Diamond’s specific cut affects the final price of the gemstone. When it comes to cost, round-cut diamonds are at the top of the list, with the price per carat being much higher than the rest of the pack, followed by the more modern princess-cut diamond cuts. Marquise style diamonds are more affordable than the more popular diamond cut variants, and when controlling for carat, clarity levels and colour of the diamond, these variants are around 10-20 per cent cheaper. Making them a good choice for those who wish to opt for a larger or, as we shall see, larger-looking gemstone.

Physical Presence

Marquise cuts are a stylistic option that features an unmistakable physical presence. The marquise engagement ring leaves no room for ambiguity. The distinct lip-like shape is a clear standout, and given its elongated shape, it gives the perception of greater visual presence that will make the viewer think it's larger than it is. The marquise engagement ring, owing to its elongated shape is a worthy option for those with slender hands, as the curved long edges of the stones help accentuate this look.

Suited for more Affordable Diamond Color Grades

And given its rather uncanny style, buyers can consider different diamond shades of a more affordable variety. Since diamonds are often chosen for their high colour grade (D – G) the novelty of the shape and its visual presence means that engagement ring buyers can afford to opt for a more price-competitive option, like diamonds that fall into the (N – R) diamond colour range.

Points to Consider When Opting for Marquise Engagement Rings

Marquise engagement rings are not the most popular choice for engagement rings. Besides their distinct design and lower adoption levels in the world of fine jewellery, several factors could make potential ring buyers more hesitant to go for this particular design choice. The most notable is the unique style of this gemstone cut. Despite being a strength it also potentially carries certain shortfalls the ring buyer ought to be aware of. Here will provide the concerns and the ways ring buyers can minimize them.

Pointed Ends

The sharp ends of the marquise which is a key feature of its design also come with a price. The pointed ends of this cut, depending on the ring design, are prone to chips or even breaks upon contact with certain surfaces depending on the level of pressure that is applied. Whilst diamonds are among the hardest materials in the world, scoring a full 10 on the Mohs scale for hardness, they are not invulnerable. And engagement rings, depending on the design in question, the band and the gemstone are prone to chips and even major scratches. And the Marquise ring is a candidate. The key here is to pick a suitable engagement ring setting, that can hold the gemstone firmly in place and importantly provide it with some external protection, by fittings its external structure perfectly.

The Bow Tie Effect

The bow-tie effect refers to a small black shape in the middle of the gemstone that resembles a bow tie, which is an undesirable effect. This is a feature of most narrow-shaped diamond shapes, where the dark area appears a the centre of the stone. The key when it comes to minimizing this unfavourable effect ensure a high quality of the gemstone’s cut. A diamond that is extremely well will hide or at least greatly reduce its visibility. For high brilliance and high clarity, which in turn depends on the quality of the cut, not just the outward shape of the gemstone. So it is important that engagement ring buyers who opt for this shape inquire about the specifics with their jewellery company and ensure that these features are not present.