Marquise cut diamonds have a reputation for looking expensive. The long, pointed, boat-shaped outline reads as dramatic and rare, so most people assume the price tag matches. In practice, the opposite is usually true: for the same carat weight and the same quality, a marquise diamond normally costs less than a round brilliant.

Below we explain why, what a one carat marquise is actually worth, and what you can expect to pay for a finished marquise ring in solid gold or platinum.

The short answer: marquise diamonds are usually cheaper per carat

Diamonds are priced by carat, which is a measure of weight rather than size (one carat is 0.2 grams). The price per carat changes with shape, and the round brilliant sits at the top of that list. Every other shape, including the marquise, generally sits below it.

Two things drive this:

• Rough waste. Cutting a round brilliant throws away more of the original rough crystal than cutting an elongated shape like a marquise. Less waste means a lower cost to produce.
• Demand. Round is by far the most requested shape in the UK. Marquise is a specialist choice, and shapes with smaller demand are priced more gently.

So if two stones weigh one carat, have similar colour and clarity, and are both lab-grown, the marquise will typically be the less expensive of the two. That is a genuine saving, not a compromise in quality.

Why a marquise also looks bigger for the money

Marquise diamonds are cut long and shallow compared with a round. More of the weight sits across the top of the stone (the “face-up” view) rather than hidden in the depth below the setting. The result is that a marquise usually looks larger on the finger than a round of the same weight.

Put those two facts together and the marquise becomes one of the best value shapes available: lower price per carat, larger apparent size. If your priority is presence on the hand for a fixed budget, it is well worth trying on.

How much is a one carat marquise diamond worth?

This is the question we are asked most often, and the honest answer is that “worth” depends on which market you are buying in.

As broad guidance only, and correct at the time of writing:

• Lab-grown one carat marquise: loose stones in good quality typically sit in the low hundreds of pounds. Once set into a hand-made solid gold or platinum ring with a certificate, a finished ring generally lands in the high hundreds to low thousands, depending on metal, setting complexity and side stones.
• Natural (mined) one carat marquise: usually several times the lab-grown figure for a stone of comparable colour and clarity.

Please treat those as ranges, not quotes. Two one carat marquise diamonds can differ in price considerably because of colour grade, clarity grade, cut quality and how well the points are finished.

One important point about resale: a diamond’s “worth” as a purchase and its “worth” if you sell it second-hand are two different numbers. Resale values on all diamonds, natural and lab-grown, are far below retail. Buy a ring because you want to wear it, not as an investment.

Real marquise prices at CarbonstoneUK

Rather than hide behind ranges, here are live prices from our own collection. All are lab-grown diamonds, hand-made in solid gold or platinum, and supplied with a free IGI certificate on the centre stone. Prices correct at the time of writing.

Ring	Style	Price
Solitaire Marquise Cut Engagement Ring	Single centre stone, plain band	£538
Solitaire Dutch Marquise Cut Engagement Ring	Dutch marquise, softer outline	£932
Halo Marquise Cut Engagement Ring in White Gold	Centre stone framed by small diamonds	£1,143
Three Stone Marquise Cut Engagement Ring	Centre stone plus two side diamonds	£1,143

Notice the pattern. The stone itself is only part of the bill. A plain solitaire (one stone on its own) is the least expensive way to wear a marquise. A halo, which is a ring of small diamonds set around the centre stone, adds both diamonds and labour. A three stone design adds two more certified stones.

You can see the full range on our marquise collection, or browse everything in engagement rings.

What pushes a marquise price up or down

Length-to-width ratio

This is simply how long the stone is compared with how wide. A ratio near 1.85 to 2.00 gives the classic marquise look. Shorter, plumper stones and very long, narrow ones are less in demand, so they can be cheaper. Neither is wrong; it is a matter of taste.

The bow-tie

Long shapes can show a dark shadow across the centre that looks like a bow-tie. Every marquise has one to some degree. A faint bow-tie is normal; a heavy black one dulls the stone and lowers its value. Always look at the actual stone or a video before buying.

The points

A marquise has two sharp points, and points are the most fragile part of any diamond. Stones with well-finished points cost slightly more, and a setting that protects them (a V-shaped claw over each tip) is worth having.

Metal choice

Platinum is denser and harder to work than gold, so a platinum version of the same ring costs more. 18ct gold costs more than 9ct because it contains more pure gold.

Marquise versus other shapes: a quick comparison

Shape	Typical price per carat	Looks larger than its weight?	In stock with us
Round brilliant	Highest	No	Yes, widest choice
Marquise	Lower than round	Yes, noticeably	Yes
Oval	Lower than round	Yes	Yes
Pear	Lower than round	Yes	Yes
Emerald	Lower than round	Yes, but shows clarity more	Yes

Frequently asked questions

Are marquise cut diamonds more expensive than round?

No. For the same carat weight and similar quality, a marquise is normally less expensive than a round brilliant, because cutting a marquise wastes less of the rough crystal and demand for round is higher.

How much is a one carat marquise diamond worth?

As guidance, a good quality one carat lab-grown marquise as a loose stone usually sits in the low hundreds of pounds, and a finished hand-made ring in solid gold or platinum generally sits from the high hundreds upwards. A natural one carat marquise of comparable quality is typically several times that. Exact prices depend on colour, clarity and cut.

Is a lab-grown marquise a real diamond?

Yes. A lab-grown diamond has the same carbon crystal structure, hardness and sparkle as a mined one. The difference is where it was formed. Every centre stone we sell comes with a free IGI certificate confirming exactly what it is.

Do marquise rings catch on clothing?

They can if the points sit high and unprotected. Choosing a setting with V-shaped claws over the two tips, or a slightly lower profile, largely solves it. Tell us how you use your hands day to day and we will suggest a setting that suits.

Can I have a larger marquise than the ones on your website?

Yes. Bespoke work carries no extra design cost with us, so if you want a bigger centre stone, a different length-to-width ratio or a particular metal, we can build it. You pay for the stone and the metal, not for the design time.

Where to go from here

If the marquise appeals because you want maximum presence for your budget, start with a simple solitaire and see how the shape sits on the hand. If you love the outline but want more sparkle around it, a halo or three stone design does that beautifully.

Everything we make is hand-made in solid gold or platinum at our North Harrow workshop in London, comes with free insured UK delivery, and is covered by 30-day returns. If you would like help comparing two stones, send us a message and we will talk you through them honestly.

More guides on this topic

• What Are the Types of Diamond Cuts? A Plain-English Guide