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Q&A: Choosing a Marquise Cut Diamond for a Three-Stone Setting with Around £4,000 Budget

By Mike Fried,

Hi there, I’m looking at an unusual ring setting from James Allen – with a marquise central stone flanked by trillion diamonds.

The problem is, when searching for a loose marquise, the cut grading disappears off the options slider. I’m wondering how to find the best cut marquise for my money – or whether one of the other C’s is of more importance when choosing this fancy shape? Are you able to advise, please?
14K WHITE GOLD THREE STONE TRILLION AND PAVE DIAMOND ENGAGEMENT RING

When you open the GIA or AGS certification, there’s no cut grade of marquise shapes. There are other very important specs to focus on such as fluorescence, bow-tie, the overall impression.

If you tell me what your approximate budget is, I’ll be happy to send you my suggestion of a stone with the quality I’d recommend.

I’m looking to spend maximum £4,000 on the marquise center stone.

I’ve done some research on the marquise, and have read that the french tip is a more safe cut to go for, minimizing the risk of breakage?

I found this diamond with the quality I’d recommend:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/1.02-carat-g-color-si1-clarity-sku-1107046?a_aid=dmnd1357

It’s very well cut, eye-clean and going to look colorless. Also, it is cut with “french tips”.

What do you think?

I’m wondering whether the sparkle would be enhanced if I went for an excellent symmetry/excellent polish stone though?

Not really, you won’t notice the difference between excellent and very good/good polish or symmetry with your naked eye. Unless the grade is poor, there’s no need to worry about that.

what do you think would be the visible difference between the stone you chose, and the one I had picked out myself?

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/0.95-carat-e-color-if-clarity-sku-3506942?a_aid=dmnd1357

From the looks of it, the stone you chose was very deep in comparison, which might be affecting its light dispersion. The marquise I found looks as though it would have lots of scintillation…

Are you able to pick out another couple of stones in between £2,800 and £4,400, just so I have something ‘to chew on’?

The stone I picked is a little deeper but it is still fine. The one you found is rather shallow. Also, it doesn’t seem to have french tips. Here’s another great option:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/1.00-carat-h-color-vs2-clarity-sku-4417667?a_aid=dmnd1357

or this one without french tips:

www.jamesallen.com/loose-diamonds/marquise-cut/1.03-carat-h-color-si1-clarity-sku-3564720?a_aid=dmnd1357

I think I’ll go with the first one you recommended. Thank you so much for your help!

My pleasure.

James Allen James Allen is the leader in online diamond sales. Their imaging technology is the same as inspecting a diamond with a jeweler's loupe. They have the largest exclusive loose diamond inventory online and fantastic prices. They also have the nicest collection of lab-created diamonds online.
What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. James Allen will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
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Blue Nile Blue Nile is the largest and most well-known internet jewelry seller. They have a very large exclusive online inventory. Their high-quality images are catching up to James Allens' and their prices are amazing. Save 25% on settings at Blue Nile!

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What we love about them:
  • No questions asked returns within 30 days of shipment. Blue Nile will send you a paid shipping label to return the ring.
  • Lifetime Warranty
  • Free Shipping
  • Free prong tightening, repolishing, rhodium plating and cleaning every 6 months
  • Provide insurance appraisal
  • One free resizing within the first year of purchase
  • High quality images of about half of their diamonds
  • 24/7 Customer Service
  • 100% credit towards future upgrades (must be at least double in value)
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