Like other fancy cut diamonds, the GIA does not grade marquise diamonds for cut. For this reason, it is important to note that any website or store that advertises a GIA-certified marquise diamonds with a cut grade is offering their own grade based on the stone specifications (the accompanying GIA certificate will not have a cut grade). While there is no problem with this, we strongly recommend you verify the cut grade yourself.

The table below serves as a general guideline for evaluating the cut grade of a marquise diamond.

The color grade of a marquise diamond refers to how much color (or lack of a color) the diamond shows. Like most diamonds, smaller marquise diamonds will hide color better while larger marquise diamonds will show color easier. However, because marquise diamonds look larger than other diamonds, even smaller diamonds can show some color so if you are wanting an ice-ice white diamond, it is best to stick in the D-F color range. If you more so just want a colorless diamond then you may be able to purchase a G, H, or even I color depending on the size of the stone. The color chart below provides a guide for evaluating color in marquise diamonds, based on the carat weight of the diamond you are buying, and your personal color preference.

The clarity grade of a marquise diamond is based on how many and how severe the imperfections are on a diamond. It’s harder to see flaws on smaller marquise diamonds than larger ones, so you can definitely purchase a smaller diamond with a lower clarity rating, while still maintaining an eye-clean appearance. However, like mentioned above in the color section, marquise diamonds look larger than other diamonds so you still want to be cautious and have us (or your jeweler) verify that the diamond meets your clarity expectations. Overall though, because marquise diamonds are brilliant cut, they hide blemishes fairly well within their sparkle.

Evaluating clarity in marquise diamonds is subjective because each consumer has their own standard for clarity. Some may be perfectly comfortable with inclusions as long as they cannot easily see it, but others may insist on a more technically flawless appearance. The clarity chart below provides general guidelines for picking a clarity rating for your marquise diamond, based on your inclusion tolerance. Please note that the ratings in the Clean to the Naked Eye column assume that your jeweler will check to ensure it is actually eye-clean. For example, every time a customer purchases a marquise engagement ring from us, we send a gemologist to check and make sure the diamond is “eye-clean” and inform the customer if it isn’t. If you want an eye clean stone, make sure you ask your jeweler to do the same.