Marquise

[Nikko]

I am getting ever so close to finding the perfect engagement ring. I was all set to go with the Princess Cut, but now my girlfriend is saying how much she likes the Marquise or Tear Drop Cut -- because they are different from the norm.

After doing my research, I''m not sure if I want to go with those cuts. Round is obviously the most Brilliant of the cuts, then Princess.

I wanted to get some feedback as to buying a Marquise or Tear Drop.

Are these two Fancy Cuts last years news or do you know of designs that can actually compliment this cut?

The Dilemma is I like the Princess, but I she is the one that I have to make happy.

 

[valeria101]

Hi!
Both the pear (or, under the fancier name, 'tear drop') and the marquise cut are already mainstream cuts, as old and ususal as the round. They are as brilliant as a less than perfect round, althrough there is less talk and fewer standards issued for these shapes, but this is just because of market trends. In fact, marquises and pears look much larger than rounds for the same weight, firstly because they have a 'long' axis which makes the stone look signifficant to the eye even if the 'short' axis is really short, secondly, because they still look good when they are quite shallow. Besides, not to get what she likes sounds like a crime to me! After all, you cna get and wear a princess cut any time, if you like them, and do not have to dellegate the task to your wife, right?
However, choosing pears nad marquises leaves more to one's taste and judgement than buying a round. For example, even if there are some classic prescription to what ratio the long axis over the short should be (about 1.5), this is really a personal decission. However, a ratio of 1/3 already looks and is commonly judged as extreme.

Ugh these posts are small...

Of course, the concusion is TO MARQUISE!

 

[valeria101]

Below is the continuation of the first post, and my hunch to the potential effective difference between a mainstream 'pear' and a 'tear drop'. Maybe you'd want to take the draw to the attention of your girl, just to show how much research is involved in her choice!

Gee! look at those typos! Please disregard them... this was a rushed post.

 

[Hest88]

I really dislike pears and marquises, and tend to have the same reaction Carrie did when Aiden gave her that e-ring on Sex and the City.




However, this really is about what *she* wants and if she wants it you should get it for her. I actually don't mind marquises when they're set horizontally as opposed to the normal vertical placement. Still, you would need to check with her to make sure it doesn't look too weird to her.

 

[valeria101]

Ughly, huh?
approx proportions: length/width = 2.06

 

[Kay]

I love my marquise. I love the elongated shape and I wanted something different from the round or princess e-rings most of my friends have. Marquises also tend to look large for their weight -- people frequently guess (unsolicited) that my 1.18 carat stone is 2+ carats -- so you can save some money and get a stone that looks large without a lot of carats. I do not care for horizontal set marquise stones. I think the one in the picture posted above is too skinny. The ideal length-to-width ratio for a marquise is approximately 2.00:1, meaning the length should be roughly double the width. The grading charts indicate 1.75:1 to 2.25:1 is the preferred range -- where you fall within the range is a matter of personal taste. See this post for more info on selecting a marquise:

https://www.pricescope.com/community/threads/marquis-advice.9342/

I am not a fan of pear-shaped stones -- I think because of the lack of symmetry in having a point at one end and rounded at the other end.

 

[pqcollectibles]

Gorgeous ring, Val!

I love all the shapes, especially when the diamonds are well cut! Each has it's own unique personality and style of performance.

You said you were set on princess cut and she is interested either a pear or marquise. You two might wanna look around a bit and come to a firm decision on the shape prior to purchase. Let her try on rings with different shape cuts to get a feel for what looks best on her. Unless,..... you are trying to make this a surprise. Then you might have a friend shop with her and get a report of her feelings on different cuts.

 

[fire&ice]

Not a big fan of Marq. cut as they were the *it* stone in my day. Now, it seems to be princess cut.

I've always like Pears though. The benefit to a Marq & pear is that the stone will appear larger for it's size. Also, these shapes look very attractive on certain hands.

I'm a big fan of the classic RB. But, as noted - it's what *she* wants. I'm with PQ - if you are shopping for rings together than go try some on to see what may looks best on her hand & what she may gravitate towards.

Good luck.

 

[diamondlil]

Interesting pictures Valeria. I like all shapes myself but currently have a 2.07 ct pear with a 1:1.67 L/W ratio. My preference is a little fatter (1:1.55 to 1:1.60). I had to compromise a bit to get the color (E) and clarity (eye clean SI) within my budget. I had a marquise for the first 17 years of marriage and just upgraded and decided to change shapes to be different. For some reason, round diamonds look funny on my hand to me. I have long fingers, and although I love the brilliance of a round diamond, I always gravitate to fancy shapes when I try them on. Princess is probably my least favorite. A little to angular for me. I have seen nice radiants, but I probably would not actually buy one for myself.




On the flip side, I ONLY like round diamonds for earrings. I'm funny about the fancy shapes not sitting exactly the same on each ear. With round you never have to worry when they turn.

I know that's thinking a little too much for some people -- hehe.




Diamondlil

 

[Giangi]

I like fat pears... One cut I love but nobody mentions it is heart shape. I think they are so nice!

 

[Fancy]

Personally, I chose the Pear ... I absolutely love it for my long and slim fingers. The round (while the most brilliant), did nothing for my hand, even though it looks GREAT on so many others. It goes without saying that the stone should be well cut (in any shape).

If she wants something unusual (I also had the same feeling), and has already told you she likes the marquise or pear, I think you should get her what SHE likes, since it's going to be on her hand and it's a gift for her. IMHO, a gift is for the person receiving it to enjoy the most .. take her shopping and let her decide on shape.

Just as an aside, I have tried on princess cut (my best friend has a princess, 1.4 carat solitaire), and it looked smaller to me b/c of the square shape, and made my fingers look shorter. My best friend loves the princess cut b/c of the angles and perfect symmetry, so it's all about personal taste.

Good luck!

 

[Nikko]

Thank you all for you responses. I am going to Jewelers Row in Chicago in a couple weeks to make my decision.

I want to surprise her, and I have been dropping hints about Princess, Marquise, and Pear. It sounds as though she will be happy with any the fancy cuts.

Does any one have an recommendations on ring designers that I can look at to get some ideas on a Fancy Cut with some side stones and thick band. I have looked at Harry Winston designs, Richard Krementz, etc.. I need a good place to get settings & fashionable, yet timeless designs either place in Chicago or on the web.

Thanks again for everyones help. I'm a perfectionist and I want to do this right.

 

[valeria101]

Take a look at Rare1.com
They seem to share the idea of fashion-proof classic things...