A marquise cut lab-grown diamond engagement ring is the boldest way to get the most visible size from your carat weight: the elongated, two-pointed silhouette has the largest face-up surface of any diamond shape, so it looks dramatically larger than a round of the same weight and lengthens the finger like nothing else. At Alya Stone, every marquise engagement ring is set with an IGI-certified lab-grown diamond (D–F colour, VS clarity or better) in solid gold, made to order. Here’s how the marquise works, the ratio to look for, the settings that flatter it, and the marquise rings we make.
What is a marquise cut diamond?
The marquise — also called a navette, French for “little boat” — is an elongated brilliant cut with a point at each end and a gently curved middle. With 58 brilliant facets it sparkles like a round, but its stretched outline does two things no other shape does as well: it covers the most finger per carat, and it draws the eye into a long, slender line that makes the hand look elegant and tapered.
It also carries history. The cut was reputedly commissioned in the 18th century by King Louis XV of France, who wanted a diamond shaped like the smile of his companion, the Marquise de Pompadour — which is how it earned both its name and its romance. Long a vintage signature, the marquise is firmly back in fashion for couples who want something distinctive.
Marquise vs oval vs pear
| Shape |
Points |
Size per carat |
Feel |
| Marquise |
Two |
Largest face-up of any shape |
Dramatic, vintage, finger-lengthening |
| Pear |
One |
Large for the carat |
Soft, romantic teardrop |
| Oval |
None |
Large for the carat |
Smooth, classic |
If you want maximum presence and a touch of vintage drama, marquise leads. For a softer point, see the pear cut guide; for no points at all, the oval cut guide.
Choosing the right marquise: length-to-width ratio
The marquise lives or dies by its proportions. The classic, balanced look sits around a 1.85–2.05 length-to-width ratio.
| L:W ratio |
Appearance |
| 1.75–1.85 |
Fuller, rounder navette |
| 1.85–2.00 |
The classic, balanced marquise |
| 2.00–2.15 |
Slim, elongated, the most dramatic line |
Two things to check face-up: a bow-tie (the faint dark band across the centre that elongated brilliants can show — a good cut keeps it minimal) and the two points lining up perfectly, since any asymmetry shows instantly on this shape. As with the pear, the points are the only fragile spots, so they should always be guarded by prongs.
The best settings for a marquise ring
Our marquise lab-grown diamond engagement rings
See the full marquise cut lab-grown diamond engagement ring collection, or explore the wider engagement ring collection. Each ring is made to order in about 10–14 days; check our ring size guide first.
Why a lab-grown marquise diamond
A lab-grown diamond is identical in every physical and optical way to a mined one, grown in weeks instead of being mined over millennia. The marquise already delivers the biggest look per carat of any shape, and a lab-grown stone amplifies that value — your money buys more visible diamond on the finger. Every Alya Stone diamond is IGI certified at one carat and above, D–F in colour, VS clarity or better, set in solid gold that is never plated. For the full picture, read lab-grown vs natural diamonds.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a marquise look bigger than other diamonds?
The marquise has the largest face-up surface area of any diamond shape for a given carat weight, so it covers more of the finger and reads as larger than a round or princess of the same weight.
Are marquise engagement rings back in style?
Very much so. After decades as a vintage favourite, the marquise has returned as a distinctive, finger-lengthening alternative to round and oval for couples who want something with character.
What ratio should a marquise diamond be?
The classic balanced look is a length-to-width ratio of about 1.85–2.05. Slimmer ratios look more dramatic; fuller ratios look rounder. It’s a matter of personal taste.
Are the points on a marquise fragile?
The two points are the only vulnerable areas, so we always protect them with V-prongs. Set properly and worn with normal care, a marquise lab-grown diamond ring is built to last.
Does a marquise suit short fingers?
Yes — the elongated shape visually lengthens and slims the finger, which is one reason it’s a flattering choice across hand shapes.
Keep reading: Diamond shapes guide · Pear cut guide · Oval cut guide · Engagement ring settings · The engagement ring guide
Marquise Cut Lab-Grown Diamond Engagement Rings: A Guide
A marquise cut lab-grown diamond engagement ring is the boldest way to get the most visible size from your carat weight: the elongated, two-pointed silhouette has the largest face-up surface of any diamond shape, so it looks dramatically larger than a round of the same weight and lengthens the finger like nothing else. At Alya Stone, every marquise engagement ring is set with an IGI-certified lab-grown diamond (D–F colour, VS clarity or better) in solid gold, made to order. Here’s how the marquise works, the ratio to look for, the settings that flatter it, and the marquise rings we make.
What is a marquise cut diamond?
The marquise — also called a navette, French for “little boat” — is an elongated brilliant cut with a point at each end and a gently curved middle. With 58 brilliant facets it sparkles like a round, but its stretched outline does two things no other shape does as well: it covers the most finger per carat, and it draws the eye into a long, slender line that makes the hand look elegant and tapered.
It also carries history. The cut was reputedly commissioned in the 18th century by King Louis XV of France, who wanted a diamond shaped like the smile of his companion, the Marquise de Pompadour — which is how it earned both its name and its romance. Long a vintage signature, the marquise is firmly back in fashion for couples who want something distinctive.
Marquise vs oval vs pear
If you want maximum presence and a touch of vintage drama, marquise leads. For a softer point, see the pear cut guide; for no points at all, the oval cut guide.
Choosing the right marquise: length-to-width ratio
The marquise lives or dies by its proportions. The classic, balanced look sits around a 1.85–2.05 length-to-width ratio.
Two things to check face-up: a bow-tie (the faint dark band across the centre that elongated brilliants can show — a good cut keeps it minimal) and the two points lining up perfectly, since any asymmetry shows instantly on this shape. As with the pear, the points are the only fragile spots, so they should always be guarded by prongs.
The best settings for a marquise ring
Our marquise lab-grown diamond engagement rings
See the full marquise cut lab-grown diamond engagement ring collection, or explore the wider engagement ring collection. Each ring is made to order in about 10–14 days; check our ring size guide first.
Why a lab-grown marquise diamond
A lab-grown diamond is identical in every physical and optical way to a mined one, grown in weeks instead of being mined over millennia. The marquise already delivers the biggest look per carat of any shape, and a lab-grown stone amplifies that value — your money buys more visible diamond on the finger. Every Alya Stone diamond is IGI certified at one carat and above, D–F in colour, VS clarity or better, set in solid gold that is never plated. For the full picture, read lab-grown vs natural diamonds.
Frequently asked questions
Why does a marquise look bigger than other diamonds?
The marquise has the largest face-up surface area of any diamond shape for a given carat weight, so it covers more of the finger and reads as larger than a round or princess of the same weight.
Are marquise engagement rings back in style?
Very much so. After decades as a vintage favourite, the marquise has returned as a distinctive, finger-lengthening alternative to round and oval for couples who want something with character.
What ratio should a marquise diamond be?
The classic balanced look is a length-to-width ratio of about 1.85–2.05. Slimmer ratios look more dramatic; fuller ratios look rounder. It’s a matter of personal taste.
Are the points on a marquise fragile?
The two points are the only vulnerable areas, so we always protect them with V-prongs. Set properly and worn with normal care, a marquise lab-grown diamond ring is built to last.
Does a marquise suit short fingers?
Yes — the elongated shape visually lengthens and slims the finger, which is one reason it’s a flattering choice across hand shapes.
Keep reading: Diamond shapes guide · Pear cut guide · Oval cut guide · Engagement ring settings · The engagement ring guide