What Is a Marquise Moissanite?
Marquise moissanite is distinguished by its elongated shape, curved sides and two tapered points. Sometimes called a navette shape, the marquise combines brilliant-style faceting with proportions designed to extend significantly along the finger.
Its long face-up dimensions can create substantial visual coverage relative to its width, making marquise a particularly distinctive option among elongated engagement ring shapes.
Choosing a Marquise Moissanite Length-to-Width Ratio
Length-to-width ratio has a major influence on the appearance of a marquise center stone.
Lower ratios create a wider and fuller marquise, while higher ratios produce a longer, narrower silhouette. There is no single ideal proportion—the preferred ratio depends on how slender or full you want the stone to appear.
Symmetry is especially important with marquise shapes. The two points should align with one another, and the curved sides should appear balanced when the stone is viewed face-up.
Marquise Moissanite and Finger Coverage
One of the defining visual characteristics of marquise moissanite is its extensive vertical coverage.
Because much of the stone's face-up area is distributed along its length, a marquise can occupy a substantial portion of the finger without requiring the same width as a round or square center stone.
Actual visible size still depends on the individual stone's length, width and depth, so millimeter dimensions are useful when comparing marquise stones of similar equivalent carat weights.
The Bow-Tie Effect in Marquise Moissanite
Marquise moissanite can display a darker area through the center known as a bow-tie effect.
This occurs in many elongated brilliant shapes and varies according to the stone's proportions and facet arrangement. A subtle bow tie can be present in an attractive stone, while a particularly dark or prominent one may interfere with its overall face-up appearance.
The individual stone should therefore be evaluated visually rather than judged solely by its equivalent carat weight or proportions.
Protecting the Points of a Marquise Moissanite
The two pointed ends are essential to the marquise silhouette and should be appropriately protected by the setting.
Prongs can be positioned specifically at the tips to reduce their exposure to direct impacts. A bezel setting provides another approach by surrounding the perimeter of the stone with precious metal.
The setting should protect both points while preserving the elongated outline that distinguishes the marquise shape.
Marquise Moissanite Ring Settings
Marquise moissanite works with a wide range of engagement ring settings.
Solitaire Moissanite Engagement Rings place the emphasis on the center stone's elongated proportions and pointed outline.
Pavé Moissanite Engagement Rings add smaller stones along the band for additional brilliance.
Hidden Halo Moissanite Engagement Rings position accent stones beneath the center stone, adding profile detail while preserving the marquise outline from above.
Halo Moissanite Engagement Rings surround the center stone with smaller stones to increase overall sparkle and visual presence.
Three Stone Moissanite Engagement Rings pair a marquise center stone with complementary side stones for additional width and contrast.
Bezel settings can follow the marquise perimeter with precious metal, emphasizing its elongated shape while providing additional protection around its two points.
Marquise Moissanite by Equivalent Carat Weight
Moissanite is commonly described using diamond equivalent weight (DEW) to communicate approximate visual size relative to a diamond.
Because marquise stones can vary significantly in length-to-width ratio, actual dimensions should also be considered when comparing their face-up appearance.
Shop Gema&Co moissanite engagement rings by center-stone size:
Marquise vs. Oval Moissanite
Marquise and oval moissanite both offer elongated proportions and substantial finger coverage, but their outlines are noticeably different.
Oval Moissanite Engagement Rings have a continuous curved outline with rounded ends.
Marquise moissanite tapers to points at both ends, creating a more directional silhouette that can appear longer and narrower.
Marquise vs. Pear Moissanite
Marquise and pear moissanite both incorporate pointed geometry, but they differ in symmetry.
Pear Moissanite Engagement Rings combine one rounded end with a single tapered point, creating an asymmetrical teardrop shape.
Marquise moissanite has a point at each end and is symmetrical along its length. This produces a sharper and more elongated overall silhouette.
Marquise Moissanite vs. Marquise Lab Diamond
Marquise moissanite and marquise lab grown diamonds can share very similar proportions and outlines, but they are different gemstones.
Moissanite is silicon carbide and has greater dispersion than diamond, which can produce more noticeable flashes of spectral color. A lab grown diamond is crystallized carbon and has the same fundamental chemical composition and physical properties as a mined diamond.
Explore Marquise Lab Diamond Engagement Rings to compare the two.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a marquise moissanite?
Marquise moissanite is a silicon carbide gemstone cut into an elongated symmetrical shape with curved sides and a point at each end. It generally uses brilliant-style faceting to produce strong brilliance and fire.
Is marquise the same as navette?
The terms are often used for the same general elongated, pointed shape. “Marquise” is the term most commonly used when describing this cut for engagement ring center stones.
Does marquise moissanite look larger?
Marquise stones can provide substantial face-up coverage because their weight is distributed across a long, relatively narrow outline. Actual visible size depends on the stone's dimensions and proportions rather than shape or equivalent carat weight alone.
What is the best length-to-width ratio for marquise moissanite?
There is no universal ideal ratio. Lower ratios produce wider marquise shapes, while higher ratios create longer and narrower stones. The preferred ratio depends on the silhouette you want.
Does marquise moissanite have a bow tie?
It can. Marquise is an elongated brilliant shape and may display a bow-tie effect through its center. The prominence varies between individual stones according to their proportions and faceting.
Are the points of a marquise moissanite fragile?
The pointed ends require appropriate protection from the setting because they are more exposed to direct impacts than rounded edges. Properly positioned prongs or a bezel can help protect the tips.
What is the difference between marquise and oval moissanite?
Oval moissanite has rounded ends and a continuous curved outline. Marquise moissanite tapers to a point at both ends.
What is the difference between marquise and pear moissanite?
Pear moissanite has one rounded end and one point, while marquise moissanite has two pointed ends and a symmetrical outline.
What setting is best for a marquise moissanite engagement ring?
Marquise moissanite works with solitaire, pavé, hidden halo, halo, three-stone and bezel settings. Regardless of style, both pointed ends should be appropriately protected.
What sizes are available?
Browse Gema&Co's 1 carat, 2 carat, 3 carat, 4 carat, and 5 carat & up moissanite engagement ring collections.
Create a Custom Marquise Moissanite Engagement Ring
Looking for a particular marquise proportion, center-stone size or setting design? Gema&Co's bespoke process allows you to customize details such as stone dimensions, precious metal, setting style, band design and accent stones.
Design a bespoke or custom engagement ring with Gema&Co.
