The marquise-cut diamond appears larger than any other well-cut diamond with the same carat weight. It is a modified brilliant-cut diamond typically containing 56 facets that resembles a boat or mouth in shape - that is, it comes to a point on either end of its length and fashions soft rounded sides. The marquise' unique long cut has a slandering effect on fingers making them appear longer than they actually are. The marquise takes its name from a legend relating to the Marquise of Pompadour. According to the legend, the Sun King desired a stone to be polished into the shape of the mouth of the Marquise. If you are looking for a diamond that appears larger than the actual carat weight providing the most impressive size and slenderizing effect, the marquise is for you. This brilliant-cut diamond looks beautiful set with round or pear-shaped side stones, and the length of the marquise makes fingers appear long and slender.

Length-to-Width Ratio for Marquise-cut Diamonds: