Diamonds, being diamonds, are beautiful, brilliant, and reflective. One could say, reflective of a person’s personality. So, what better way to express that personality than through a diamond fashioned into what we jewelers call a “fancy shape”. Don’t get me wrong, I love the round brilliant diamond, its the pinnacle among shapes. But, I have enjoyed selling many gorgeous fancy-cut diamonds over the years and I love to see them on a happy bride’s finger.
Marquise de Pompadour
Let’s delve a little deeper into the world of fancy shape diamonds by first discovering more about the Marquise Shaped Diamond. Its popularity seems to come and go, but it remains a classic among fancy shapes.
The marquise diamond first made its appearance in the mid 18th century when King Louis XV of France commissioned his court jeweler to create a diamond to reflect the shape of his mistress. Later, in the 20th century, the marquise diamond was called a navette (Old French for “little ship”) and became a favorite among wealthy sailing hobbyists. It once again gained popularity in the 1980s and early 1990s. Once again, I have started to see more interest in the shape, and why not?! The shape can lengthen the finger’s look, and the marquise diamond may look more prominent in size than a round diamond of a similar carat weight. What a bonus!
Bow ties are those dark shadows that fall across the face of the diamond if it has been cut too shallow. It is common among oval, marquise, pear, and heart-shaped diamonds. To try and diminish the bow-tie effect, the 
diamond cutter will attempt to cut the diamond deeper. However, when a diamond is cut too deep, it may cause it to appear drab or unlively. Thus, just as with the round cut, proportions play a vital role in the marquise’s appearance.
The other important factor to look for is the length to width ratio. We suggest that the length to width ratio of the shape stay somewhere between 1.8:1 to 2.2:1. This formula produces the most eye-pleasing shape with the “belly” of the diamond not too wide or too thin. 
You be the judge on this one; some like a longer, more slender shape while others enjoy the stone a little more on the plump side. As long as you stay close to the suggested ratios, it should not impact on the brilliance of the diamond.
The points of the marquise diamond are fragile. That is why you will almost always find them set within chevron tips to avoid chipping or breaking. If you currently wear a marquise diamond, it is a good idea to get those tips checked from time to time to make sure the stone is securely set. I offer complimentary ring inspection and cleaning.
Does the marquise shape sound like a good fit for you or your sweetheart? I would be more than happy to find just the suitable stone for you.
Keep smiling!
Kim
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