Lab-grown diamond ring trends shift constantly, and the marquise style is currently enjoying a resurgence. Apart from its ornate football-shaped appearance, what else makes the marquise stand out today?
The marquise is a gemstone cut named after the Marquise de Pompadour, for whom the French King, Louis XV, had purportedly fashioned it in the 1740s to closely resemble the shape of her lips. You may also hear it described as a navette cut, from the Old French word for “little ship”. Its key physical characteristic is its curved, elongated shape, which gives the illusion that the diamond is larger than it seems.
A marquise lab-grown diamond ring accentuates the wearer’s finger, making it appear longer and slimmer. Its distinctive pointed ends and gently curved sides demonstrate timeless, vintage-inspired elegance, making it a dazzling alternative to traditional round and oval cuts. They are often paired with modern aesthetics that play on the cut’s vintage look and feel, while also incorporating personal stories that convey significant meaning to individuals and couples alike.
As lab-grown diamonds continue to gain popularity, it is fairly common to find marquise lab-grown diamond rings across various jewellery stores in Singapore.
Selena Gomez’s marquise engagement ring, captured in photos sometime in late 2024, was one of many reasons the marquise cut saw increasing demand in recent times. Apart from its celebrity associations, the marquise has plenty of unique characteristics that will entice ring buyers.
The salient elongation of a marquise cut is often considered its greatest strength, creating the illusion of longer, slimmer fingers, while the gemstone itself appears larger than most diamonds of similar carat weight. Much of this stems from the cut’s larger crown surface area than any other diamond cut.
Marquise cuts are a brilliant statement piece that can truly elevate even the simplest engagement or wedding band, blending vintage charms and modern touches that come together seamlessly. On its own, the marquise cut presents a bold, confident look that exudes nostalgic magnificence with a radiant sparkle. When designed with current trends in mind, a marquise cut can quickly become a personalised expression of something meaningful, where even a change in orientation redefines the entire ring’s vibe.
The marquise cut is also a surprisingly versatile option: the cut itself presents the vintage charm everyone loves, while the band itself can include more contemporary features to create a unique visual contrast. A professional jeweller can easily help you find matching pre-made pairs that complement their respective elements, or craft a completely bespoke design with your creative input and direction.
Marquise cuts also tend to exhibit exceptional brilliance and fire in the light, creating an eye-catching sparkle. The diamond’s facet structure has a significant effect on its sparkle, particularly where symmetry is concerned. The more symmetrical the diamond’s proportions are, the more it appears near-flawless to the naked eye, especially when beheld in the light.
This cut is also known for its affordability per carat, primarily due to its larger crown that greatly maximises the diamond’s perceived size. You might be able to find a suitable marquise cut that remains well within your budget without compromising on its overall quality. Moreover, lab-grown diamonds are now more popular thanks to their budget-friendly price points and similar structure and properties to natural diamonds, further enhancing the appeal of the marquise cut.
It is equally important to consider its few potential disadvantages, as some of these elements may require careful attention to ensure you get the most out of your marquise lab-grown diamond ring.
A marquise cut features delicate pointed edges which are easily damaged, requiring additional care to ensure it remains intact. It is imperative to pick a suitable setting or properly positioned prongs to protect the tips from potential physical impacts or other forms of damage. In some cases, a marquise cut could also feature French cuts that change the facets at the tips for added durability, or have thicker girdles (which join the diamond’s top and bottom) near the tips.
Symmetry is a core element that highlights the marquise cut’s impeccable beauty, and therefore requires substantial care and precision to shape the diamond into an ideal gemstone you will love. Even the smallest of imperfections or misalignments can influence the diamond’s overall appearance, potentially causing it to appear “off-kilter” or uneven.
Symmetry is a core element that highlights the marquise cut’s impeccable beauty, and therefore requires substantial care and precision to shape the diamond into an ideal gemstone you will love. Even the smallest of imperfections or misalignments can influence the diamond’s overall appearance, potentially causing it to appear “off-kilter” or uneven.
The bow-tie effect occurs in various fancy diamond cuts, including the marquise. It is a dark band resembling a bow tie, appearing across the diamond’s centre due to light leakage caused by misaligned facets or proportions. The bow-tie is a result of optical misalignment and is not an inclusion; in some cases, it may even enhance the diamond’s appearance, for example, by adding contrast. However, the darker or more prominent the bow-tie looks, the higher the chance it detracts from the diamond’s brilliance.
A marquise cut’s overall style can change drastically based on your chosen setting. Here are a few ideal picks to consider.
The solitaire is a beloved classic that prioritises the marquise cut’s illusion, enhancing your fingers while demonstrating understated elegance with a minimalist appearance that draws all attention to the diamond. Solitaire settings may also protect the gem’s fragile tips with specific prong arrangements that securely grasp each tip.
You may also pair the marquise cut with two smaller gemstones on both sides, which can help augment the diamond’s brilliance and create a brilliant interplay of elements between each stone. Maintaining a balance between the three is also essential to complete the look without making it feel uneven.
Halo settings surround the central marquise diamond with smaller accent stones that provide a wondrous display of brilliance in the light. Not only does this double the visual impact of the marquise cut itself, but it also complements and softens the main diamond’s pointed tips to create a breathtaking geometric contrast.
More an orientation change than a true setting, the east-west look has the diamond placed horizontally and perpendicular to your finger. While rarer than traditional “north-south” placements prized for their finger-enhancing qualities, the east-west orientation is well-suited to showcasing larger carat stones with a chic, modern look.
Captivated by the vintage appeal of the marquise cut, or are you looking for something different? At Ling Jewellery, our artisans can help you pair your desired marquise lab-grown diamond with a bespoke ring that expresses your personality or something of significance. Contact us today or visit our jewellery boutique to admire our exquisite diamond selections. You can also speak to our jewellers to learn more about designing your own diamond ring.
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