A marquise diamond is a long, narrow stone with a point at each end. It is dramatic, it makes fingers look longer than any other shape, and it is the hardest engagement ring shape to pair with a wedding band. Two points instead of one means twice as many places for a band to catch, gap or rock.

The good news is that the answer is fairly clear once you understand what is happening. Here is what works and why.

What is a marquise cut diamond?

A marquise, sometimes called a navette, is shaped like a rugby ball or the hull of a boat. It is widest in the middle and tapers to a sharp point at both ends. It is cut with brilliant faceting (the same style of small flat surfaces used on a round diamond), so it sparkles brightly.

Because the stone is stretched, a marquise looks larger than a round diamond of the same weight. That is one of its great advantages, and it is why many people choose it.

You may also see a Dutch marquise, which is a variation with a slightly different facet layout and often a fuller, softer outline. It behaves the same way for band purposes.

What wedding band goes with a marquise engagement ring?

A chevron band is the classic partner for a marquise engagement ring.

A chevron band has a V-shaped dip in the middle. Two straight arms angle down and meet at a point. That V does exactly what a marquise needs: it drops away from the tip of the stone, so the band can sit flush along its whole length without touching the point.

The V of the band and the V of the stone also mirror each other, which is why a marquise and a chevron look designed as a pair rather than assembled by accident.

Why is a straight band difficult with a marquise?

The point of a marquise extends further past the setting than almost any other shape. Push a straight band against it and you get one of three problems:

• A visible gap. The band stops where the point begins, leaving a wedge of daylight that catches the eye.
• Rocking. The band touches only at the tip, so it pivots every time your hand moves. Over time that wears a groove into both rings.
• Pressure on the point. The tips of a marquise are the most fragile part of the stone. A band pressing against them repeatedly is a genuine risk.

A straight band can work if your marquise sits in a high setting, so the whole stone clears the band, or if the tips are protected by V-shaped claws that lift them. Check yours from the side before you assume.

Which band styles suit a marquise engagement ring?

Chevron band

The obvious first choice. Our Chevron Marquise Cut Wedding Band sets marquise stones along the V, so the band repeats the shape of your centre diamond on a smaller scale. Worn together, the two rings look like one continuous design.

Stackable marquise band

If a sharp V feels too pointed, a band set with marquise stones lying along the finger picks up the shape without a dip. The Stackable Marquise Cut Wedding Band in Rose Gold does this, with the stones angled to create a leaf-like line. It also works on its own, or stacked with a plain band.

Matched bridal set

A bridal set is an engagement ring and band made together, so the fit is settled before you ever put them on. The Dutch Marquise Cut Bridal Set in White Gold is the simplest way to avoid the fitting problem entirely. Browse the rest in our bridal sets.

Two slim bands, one either side

A marquise has two points, so framing it with a slim band above and below is genuinely practical rather than just decorative. Each band meets one point, the engagement ring cannot spin, and the stone sits protected between them. Keep both bands narrow so the finger does not look crowded.

Plain band worn separately

There is no rule saying both rings must live on the same finger. Some people wear the marquise on the right hand and a plain band on the left, or wear the band alone on work days. If nothing sits well against your ring, this is a perfectly good answer.

Which band suits each type of marquise ring?

Engagement ring	Best band	Why
Marquise solitaire	Chevron	The V drops away from the point and sits flush
Marquise with a halo	Chevron, made to fit	The halo widens the outline, so the V needs to be deeper
Marquise three stone	Chevron, plain	Side stones add detail, so keep the band quiet
Marquise in a high setting	Straight	The stone clears the band, so no shaping needed
Pear	Curved or chevron	One point, so only one end needs accommodating
Oval	Straight	No points, and a shallow base curve
Emerald cut	Straight	The stone edge is already a straight line

How does the setting change which band fits?

Before choosing a band, look at how the tips of your marquise are held.

Most marquise rings use V-claws, which are small metal points shaped like the letter V that wrap around each tip. They protect the stone, and they also add a millimetre or two of metal that the band has to clear. Measure from the outside of the V-claw, not from the diamond.

Some marquise rings, like the V Shaped Marquise Cut Engagement Ring, build the V into the band of the engagement ring itself. That shape then dictates the shape of the wedding band, and a matching chevron is the only thing that will nest properly.

If you are still choosing the engagement ring, a plain setting such as the Solitaire Marquise Cut Engagement Ring gives you the most freedom later, because there is less shape to work around.

What metal, width and profile should the band be?

Match the metal to the engagement ring. Rings worn together that are made of different metals wear at different rates and slowly stop matching in colour.

Keep the band narrow, 1.8mm to 2.5mm. A marquise is a long shape, and a wide band cuts across that line and shortens the finger.

A court profile, rounded inside and out, is the most comfortable next to another ring. And if you work with your hands, ask about a lower setting when you order rather than trying to fix it afterwards.

All our rings are hand-made in solid gold or platinum with lab-grown diamonds. Every centre stone comes with a free IGI certificate, UK delivery is free and insured, and returns are open for 30 days.

Should you have a band made to fit your ring?

A marquise is the shape most likely to need something made rather than bought off the shelf, simply because the depth of the V has to match your particular setting. We design bespoke pieces at no extra design cost from our workshop in North Harrow, London. Send us a clear photograph of the ring from above and from the side, with a ruler beside it, and we will tell you what will fit.

Frequently asked questions

Can a marquise ring be worn with a straight band?

Only if the setting is high enough that the points sit well above the band, or if you are content with a visible gap. Check from the side, holding a straight band against the ring, and see whether it rocks.

Are the points of a marquise likely to chip?

The tips are the thinnest part of any pointed diamond, so they are the most vulnerable spot on the stone. Well-made V-claws protect them, and choosing a band that never presses against them removes the other main risk. Diamond is extremely hard, but hard is not the same as unbreakable.

Which way should a marquise point?

Along the finger, tip towards the fingernail and tip towards the knuckle. That is what creates the lengthening effect. Worn sideways it looks unusual and it sits badly against a band.

Should I buy a bridal set instead?

If you want certainty, yes. A set removes the risk of buying a band that turns out not to fit. If you already have an engagement ring you love, a bespoke band will do the same job.

Can I wear a marquise band with a different shaped engagement ring?

Absolutely. Marquise-set bands look lovely against round and oval rings too, because the pointed stones add a leafy, vintage feel. The shape rules only apply to how the band edge meets the centre stone.

What band goes with the other ring shapes?

• What Wedding Band Goes With an Emerald Cut Engagement Ring?
• What Wedding Band Goes With a Pear Shaped Engagement Ring?
• What Wedding Band Goes With an Oval Engagement Ring?
• How to Wear a Pear Shaped Ring With a Wedding Band

Browse our marquise rings or the full wedding ring collection. If you are not sure a band will fit, ask us before you order. We would rather tell you honestly than take a return.