Marquise Cut Engagement Rings

The Marquise Cut: A Diamond Shape with a Royal Story

There are some diamond cuts that simply catch your eye and the marquise cut is one of them. If you’ve found yourself drawn to an elongated, elegant diamond with two perfectly pointed ends, you’ve been captivated by one of the most romantic shapes in the world of engagement rings. At Jacqueline & Edward, we love a diamond with a story and the marquise has a history that stretches all the way back to the glittering courts of 18th-century France.

What is a Marquise Cut?

Sometimes called a “navette” (French for “little ship”), the marquise is a slender, symmetrical shape with a rounded ‘belly’ that tapers into two sharp points.

Why we love it:

• Maximised Sparkle – The shape is designed to maximise surface area, making the stone appear 15–20% larger than a round diamond of the same carat weight.
• The “Longeur” Effect – Its elongated silhouette creates a beautifully slender look on the finger.
• Versatility: It looks stunning in everything from a minimalist solitaire to a vintage-inspired halo.

A Royal Beginning

The legend goes that King Louis XV commissioned his court jeweller to create a diamond that mimicked the perfect smile of his favourite confidante, the Marquise de Pompadour.

Whether the tale is true or has been embellished over time, the marquise remains a symbol of sophistication. It has evolved over several eras – from the intricate metalwork of the Victorians to the bold, geometric lines of the Art Deco period. But whatever style you choose, a marquise cut engagement ring offers something different and unique beyond the traditional round brilliant solitaire.

Choosing Your Marquise Cut – What to Look For

Here are three expert tips from our Wetherby workshop:

1. Symmetry is Key: Because the ends are so prominent, even a slight misalignment shows. Look for a “Excellent” or “Very Good” symmetry rating.
2. Mind the “Bow-Tie”: Most elongated cuts have a slight dark shadow across the centre (a bow-tie effect). Our job is to source stones where this is minimal, ensuring maximum brilliance.
3. Protect the Points: Those elegant tips are the most delicate part of the stone. We always recommend a setting—like a V-claw—that cradles the points to keep them safe for a lifetime of wear.

The Evenlode: 950 Platinum Marquise Diamond Celtic Trinity Knot Solitaire Engagement Ring

The Ethical Choice: Lab-Grown & Recycled

At Jacqueline & Edward, we believe beautiful sustainable and ethical jewellery shouldn’t cost the earth. The marquise cut is a ‘clever’ choice for the eco-conscious couple because it looks larger than it is. You can therefore achieve an incredible visual impact without the heavy price tag of a larger carat gemstone. And you can opt for either an ethical and sustainable lab-grown diamond or a recycled stone helping to reduce the environmental footprint of your engagement ring.

Create A Bespoke Marquise Engagement Ring

Every ring we make is handcrafted from scratch in our Yorkshire workshop. If the marquise has captured your heart, our free bespoke design service is the perfect way to bring your vision to life.

How it works:

• Chat – Visit us in Wetherby or virtually via video call. We’ll talk through your ideas, budget, and style.
• Concept Creation – We’ll sketch some designs helping to bring your ideas to life within your budget.
• Finalise Designs – Get agreement on direction of design before getting sign off on the final design.
• We Craft: No mass production here. Just traditional techniques and skilled hands. We only use recycled precious metals and every ring includes a signature piece of gifted natural river gold, panned by Mark himself – you choose the location of your river gold based a place of special meaning to you.

Your ring will arrive in a hand-carved wooden ring box, hallmarked at the Edinburgh Assay Office, and ready to start its own history.

One of our bespoke designs – 2ct diamond marquise cut engagement ring

Alternatively, we have several marquise cut engagement rings you can take a look at, all made-to-order so you can modify the design to make it uniquely yours:

• The Owenea: Marquise Sapphire and Lab Grown Diamond Engagement Ring
• The Evenlode: Marquise Diamond Celtic Trinity Knot Solitaire Engagement Ring
• The Braan: Flush Set Marquise Cut Diamond Engagement Ring
• The Raven: Bezel Set Marquise Diamond Engagement Ring

Ready to start your story?

We’d love to help you find (or design) the perfect marquise ring.

• Call us: 01937 538 384
• Email: enquiries@jacquelineandedward.com
• Visit: Book an appointment at our Wetherby Workshop