1.5 Carat Marquise Diamonds

At 1.50 ct a marquise reaches roughly 12 by 6 mm and covers most of the width of an average finger. Few shapes make this much impression for the money, which is the reason the marquise has returned after two decades out of fashion.

The bow-tie is the thing to inspect at this size. Marquise cuts show it more readily than ovals or pears because the outline tapers at both ends, and at 1.50 ct a heavy one darkens the whole centre of the stone. It is nearly invisible in a still photograph and unmistakable in the 360° view.

Because a marquise is shallow relative to its outline, it hides colour better than a deep shape would but shows inclusions near the points more readily. Look for a stone whose plot keeps inclusions toward the middle rather than the tips, where a prong cannot cover them.