Things to Know Before Buying a Marquise Diamond

TL;DR:
Marquise diamonds are definitely the diamonds for it-girls (and guys). They’re chic, dramatic, and unexpectedly flattering—but with their elongated shape comes a few unique considerations. Here’s everything you should know before falling in love with a marquise diamond—from the cut and bowtie effect to color, clarity, and proportions.

Wait, What’s a Bowtie—and Do All Marquise Have It?

Great question. A “bowtie” is that shadowy shape you sometimes see across the center of elongated diamonds. Technically, it’s part of the light reflection pattern. But the good news? Not all marquise diamonds have a super noticeable bowtie.

With the right cut—good symmetry, clean proportions, well-aligned facets—you can minimize or even avoid it altogether. Since GIA doesn’t grade fancy cuts like marquise on cut quality, it’s especially important to work with someone who knows what to look for. (Hi, that’s us.)

Let’s Talk Shape: Slender and Dramatic, or Soft and Balanced?

Marquise diamonds come in different proportions, and ratio matters more than you think. If you love something long and lean, look for a 2.0–2.05 ratio. Want something a little softer and more delicate? Try a 1.8–1.9 ratio. One isn’t better than the other—it just depends on your vibe and what looks best on your hand.

We always walk clients through options side by side so they can see what clicks.

Color Can Be a Personal Thing

Marquise diamonds tend to show more color at their tips, especially in lower color grades. But honestly, color is a very personal preference. Some of our clients love that crisp, icy white look, while others gravitate toward warmer, more romantic tones.

We always recommend viewing diamonds in natural light—and seeing how they actually look on you—before deciding.

Clarity? You Might Be Surprised

Thanks to their brilliant faceting, marquise diamonds can hide inclusions really well. That means you can go lower on clarity (think SI1 or even SI2) without seeing anything with the naked eye. It's one of the best ways to get more size and sparkle for your budget.

They Look WAY Bigger Than You’d Expect

This is one of marquise’s best-kept secrets: they’re “spready.” Meaning? They show a lot more surface area than other shapes. A 1.5ct marquise can look closer to a 2ct round in terms of finger coverage. If you want max impact without max carats, this is the cut.

Universally Flattering, No Really

Marquise diamonds are elongating, elegant, and just look good on every finger shape. Whether you go classic north-south or flip it east-west for a more modern look, it’s a shape that always brings a little drama—in the best way.

The Bottom Line

Marquise diamonds are for people who don’t want to play it safe. They’re vintage and modern, elegant and edgy, all at once. But they do require a little extra thought when it comes to cut, proportion, and styling. That’s where we come in. Whether you're into high-drama sparkle or subtle sophistication, we’ll help you find the marquise that hits all the right notes.