Marquise Earrings: The Complete Guide
A marquise diamond earring features an elongated shape with pointed ends, cut using the same brilliant-facet pattern as a round diamond, which means it combines a distinctive silhouette with high sparkle. This guide covers why people choose it, what it costs, how the cut actually works, who it suits best, and which of our styles fit different budgets, plus every question we get asked before someone buys a pair.
Why choose marquise diamond earrings
Pick this shape if you want a stone that reads bigger than its carat weight. Because the marquise shape has a larger surface area relative to its carat weight than a round diamond, marquise cut earrings tend to look bigger per carat than other shapes, while still carrying strong brilliant-cut fire.
The trade-off is durability at the tips. The two pointed ends are the shape's most vulnerable area, so Lucira recommends a V-prong or bezel setting at each point to prevent chipping during daily wear.
Who this shape suits best
It suits buyers who want a diamond that reads larger than its carat weight, and who like an elongated, elegant silhouette in drop or dangle styles especially. The shape carries royal associations too; legend credits it to King Louis XIV of France, who reportedly commissioned a diamond cut to resemble the smile of the Marquise de Pompadour.
If the wearer prioritises low-maintenance durability over maximum perceived size, round or oval from our Earring Shape Guide carry less risk at the tips.
What makes this cut sparkle
The marquise cut is a brilliant cut (58 facets, the same count as a round brilliant) shaped into an elongated oval with two pointed ends, sometimes called a "boat" or "football" shape. That facet count keeps sparkle close to round levels, while the elongated outline adds a dramatic, eye-catching silhouette that's especially visible in drop and dangle earrings.
How much do marquise diamond earrings cost
Because marquise diamonds look larger per carat than round, they can offer strong apparent size for the spend, though the pointed tips do add a small setting-cost premium for the protective prongs they need. Setting style changes price too: a simple V-prong stud is the most affordable way to wear it, while a halo or drop setting adds cost through extra stones and labour.
What actually matters when judging quality
A length-to-width ratio between 1.85 and 2.1 is considered the most balanced marquise proportion; ratios outside this range look either stubby or overly narrow. Check that both points are symmetrical, since an off-centre point is more visible on a marquise than on rounder shapes. Protective prong or bezel tips at both ends matter more here than on any other shape in this collection.
How it compares to the other seven shapes
If maximizing perceived size per carat and dramatic elongation are the priority, this cut is among the strongest on our list. Pear gives a similar elongating effect with only one vulnerable point instead of two; round carries less risk at the tips but looks smaller per carat. For the full side by side breakdown of sparkle, perceived size and vibe across every option, see our Earring Shape Guide.
What this shape looks like on the ear
A 0.50 carat stone in this silhouette measures roughly 8 x 4mm per earring, noticeably longer and more dramatic at the earlobe than a round or oval diamond of the same weight. Worn as a drop, the elongated shape draws the eye downward along the neck, an effect many buyers specifically seek out in this cut.
Because the points extend further than a rounder outline, marquise studs also sit slightly more prominently against the earlobe, worth factoring in for buyers who want a subtler everyday look.
Mistakes worth avoiding
The most common mistake is choosing a plain prong setting instead of a V-prong or bezel at the tips; a standard prong doesn't fully protect the points, which are the first place a marquise diamond chips. The second is not checking point symmetry before buying, since an off-centre point is one of the more visible flaws on this shape.
The third is wearing marquise studs during high-contact activity (sports, tight-fitting clothing worn over the head) without considering a bezel setting first, since the exposed points are more prone to snagging than a rounder shape.
Shop the styles
14 of our most-loved pieces in this silhouette are below, out of 29 total styles in the collection. Every stone is a genuine lab grown diamond in 14K gold.
Browse all 29 pieces in this collection
Choosing the right setting for you
A V-prong is the standard protective setting for each point, cupping the tip rather than leaving it exposed the way a standard prong would. A bezel setting goes further, smoothing the entire outline for the lowest-maintenance option, at some cost to sparkle. A screw-back is worth the extra security for a shape with this much surface area working loose over a day of wear.
A stud keeps the dramatic elongation close to the ear; a drop or dangle setting extends it further, which is where this shape is most commonly chosen, since the elongated silhouette reads most dramatically when it has room to hang.
Caring for your earrings after you buy them
A well-chosen setting still needs routine care to stay secure and bright. For the full routine, see our guide on how to care for your lab grown diamond earrings.
Frequently asked questions
Do marquise diamond earrings look bigger than round of the same carat weight? Yes. The marquise cut's elongated shape has a larger surface area per carat than a round diamond, so it tends to look larger when viewed from the front.
Are the pointed tips of a marquise diamond fragile? The tips are the most vulnerable part of a marquise cut and benefit from a protective V-prong or bezel setting, which is standard on Lucira's marquise cut earrings.
What length-to-width ratio makes the best marquise shape? A ratio between 1.85 and 2.1 is generally considered the most classically proportioned marquise cut.
Is marquise better as a stud or a drop earring? Both work, but the elongated silhouette is most dramatic in a drop or dangle style, since it has room to extend below the earlobe.
Why is marquise associated with French royalty? Legend credits the shape to King Louis XIV of France, who reportedly commissioned a diamond cut to resemble the smile of the Marquise de Pompadour.
Should I choose a V-prong or bezel setting for marquise earrings? A V-prong protects the points while keeping more sparkle visible; a bezel fully smooths the outline for the lowest-maintenance option at some cost to brilliance.
Is this shape right for you
If you want a diamond that reads larger than its carat weight with a distinctive, elongated silhouette, this is the right call, as long as you choose a setting that protects the tips. It's one of the most eye-catching shapes on our list, especially worn as a drop. Explore the full collection below, or head back to our Earring Shape Guide to compare it against the other seven options.
