Exploring the Romantic History of Marquise Cut Engagement Rings

There’s every chance you might have stumbled upon the term “marquise cut” while looking up diamond jewelry online. Marquise cut diamonds have been around for ages and you are likely to find engagement ring designs that feature this little beauty. But before you go about finding your perfect marquise cut engagement ring, it is important that you know a little bit about the history of this cut.

Today, let’s uncover the truth behind this type of diamond silhouette and find out about its origins.

The Regal Truth Behind the Origin of the Marquise Diamond Cut

If you didn’t know, marquise cut diamonds have an illustrious history attached to them. Did you know how this type of cut came to be? It wasn’t dreamt of and neither was it a result of a jewelry designer’s experimentation. In fact, it was a lady’s beautiful lips that served as the primary inspiration for the marquise cut diamond! Read on if this fact sounds bizarre to you.

Popular in royal circles in the era gone by, the marquise cut diamond has always been used in bridal jewelry and passed from one generation to the next as an heirloom. This timeless concept can trace its origins back to the French Royal Court.

Louis XV, who ruled France from 1715 to 1774, had a privileged childhood and youth. He was fondly referred to as Louis the Beloved by members of the royal court and French citizens. For whatever reasons, his reign coincided with the downfall of his empire, eventually leading to the French Revolution a few years after he passed away.

The king’s wife, Marie Antoinette, was famous for donning the most gorgeous jewelry studded with precious jewels and gemstones. Diamonds were a staple for this royal family, as is evident from the nickname conferred upon the king’s grandpa, who was called the Sun King. Are you wondering why that was? Well, the man was known to drape himself from head to toe in sparkling diamonds!

Louis XV had an infamous affair with Madame du Pompadour, who was one of his many mistresses. The story begins in Versailles, where the king chanced upon a lady called Jean Antoinette Poisson. Smitten by her beauty and declaring to the world that hers were the “most perfect lips” ever, the king made her the chief mistress as the Marquise de Pompadour.

The royal jeweler was ordered to craft a piece of stone in a way that it resembled Madame du Pompadour’s perfect lips and this gave birth to the marquise cut. The royal jeweler cut a diamond to give it an elongated shape that resembled the lady’s lips, and today, we all know this cut as the marquise cut.

Some Other (Quite Random) Facts About the Marquise Cut Diamond

As if the fascinating history behind marquise diamonds was not enough, our team thought it would be a great idea to list three extremely random and unrelated facts about them, too. So, here goes:

1. The marquise diamond, also known as a navette or “little ship,” also resembles the shape of a racing yacht hull. This fact made it a hot favorite in the 20th century in Europe, primarily because Britain’s King Edward VII and his friends used to love sailing.
2. The length-to-width ratio of a typical marquise cut stone is usually 2:1, meaning the length of the diamond is generally twice its width.
3. Despite having a unique shape, the marquise cut diamond is perfectly symmetrical. In case you stumble upon a marquise diamond that has flat, bulged, or uneven wings, it might compromise the symmetry of the stone.

Find the Perfect Marquise Cut Engagement Ring Online at A.JAFFE

Traditionally placed in a vertical setting on a ring to give the finger and the band a delicate and graceful appearance, today you are likely to find marquise cut rings featuring the diamond set in an east-west orientation, too.

This age-old type of cut has slowly but surely found its way back into popular culture, becoming a timeless symbol of love and commitment for new couples. Here are a few reasons that make a marquise cut engagement ring such a unique and good choice:

1. This cut looks larger in size compared to other cuts that weigh the same, primarily because of its unique design and appearance.
2. Marquise cut stones can be used in a north-south setting or an east-west setting, meaning you can choose the orientation depending on your preferences.
3. Modern marquise cut engagement rings come in a wide variety of complex and edgy designs, giving you lots of options to choose from.
4. Because of the distinct cut type, the diamond in a marquise cut ring looks much bigger than it actually is.
5. The shape of the stone makes the wearer’s fingers appear longer and more slender than they really are and who doesn’t love long, slender fingers?
6. The stone has a romantic history and royal legacy, which lends a touch of class, elegance, and folklore to your bridal jewelry ensemble!

At A.JAFFE, we offer the widest selection of high-quality bridal jewelry and engagement rings. We are one of the only 19th century jewelers still active in NYC, which says a lot about our illustrious legacy and track record!

With a strong focus on craftsmanship, innovation, and originality, every A.JAFFE ring is handcrafted, hand-set, and polished to perfection by the most skilled artisans. You can take look at our ready-to-wear marquise cut engagement rings online or shop at select retail outlets in the United States. From Bella Hadid and Jennifer Lawrence to the who’s who of the celeb world, A.JAFFE is the go-to choice for luxury jewelry. And we don’t believe in “limited warranty” either – we offer lifetime warranty on all of our products.

We hope you enjoyed reading about the fascinating origin story of marquise cut diamonds! Shop now for stunning marquise cut engagement rings .