Standing under the mistletoe, with festive cheer in the air, is the perfect moment to pop the question. So if you are planning a Christmas proposal this year, why not do so with a marquise-cut diamond engagement ring?
Marquise-cut engagement rings are harder to find than the more traditional round brilliant solitaire rings, but they offer a larger-looking stone than a round diamond of the same carat weight, and elongate the finger when worn. Marquise-cut diamonds are cut into elongated ovals, which are sometimes referred to as navettes - taken from the French word for sailboat - and, rather appropriately for this time of year, resemble perfectly formed icicles.
When she opens the box and the sparkle jumps out among the firs, it will definitely be the best Christmas gift for your girlfriend. To get you started on your search, we’ve rounded up our top 10 marquise-cut diamond engagement rings, each with their own distinct style.
1. Boodles
Harmony platinum and diamond engagement ring
£6,850
This classic Boodles engagement ring sets a single 0.40ct marquise-cut diamond on top of a simple platinum band. The Harmony ring, however, is not as plain as it seems at first glance. View the ring in profile and you’ll discover a secret diamond-set collet that brings an extra twinkle to the design. For brides-to-be who would like a larger central stone, this can be ordered on request.
2. De Beers
Adonis Rose diamond solitaire ring in rose gold
£6,750
This De Beers engagement ring is set with a traditional round brilliant diamond at its centre, but look to either side and you’ll find tiny marquise-cut stones. The bezel-set, marquise-cut diamonds have been used to evoke the image of leaves in this floral-inspired design, created in homage to the Greek goddess of love’s passion for the ever-youthful Adonis. Further strips of diamond pavé work their way round the rose gold ring.
3. 77 Diamonds
Elixir white gold and diamond engagement ring
£4,200
A dazzling 1.00ct G-colour marquise-cut diamond of VS clarity perches atop this white gold ring from online diamond specialist 77 Diamonds. The band itself has been designed with a knife-edge shape, with one half decorated with 0.26cts of grain-set diamonds, adding a modern twist to a classic engagement ring. To make the ring just right for you, use 77 Diamonds’ online tools to adjust the diamond’s clarity, colour and carat, and then select from rose, white and yellow gold or platinum for the band.
4. Graff
Flame rose gold engagement ring with white and pink diamonds
£POA
Graff has one of the widest selections of marquise-cut pink diamond engagement rings, which you can arrange to view at its recently expanded boutique within Harrods London or one of its other stores across the world, which now number more than 50. This Flame design, set with a 1.12ct marquise-cut diamond, offers a more colourful twist to the usual platinum-and-white-diamond combination, adding warmth with rose gold and pink diamonds set into the shoulders of the ring.
5. David Morris
Entwined diamond and white gold engagement ring
£POA
The total carat weight of this David Morris engagement ring is an impressive 16.82cts. The large marquise-cut central diamond is fixed to an entwined white gold band that has been completely smothered in micro-set round brilliant white diamonds. If you want this to be the best Christmas present ever, this is the ring for you.
6. Star Diamond
Marquise Twin diamond and white gold engagement ring
£96,000
For an engagement ring that glows just as warmly as the log fire, head down to London’s private jeweller Star Diamond. Here you will be introduced to the Marquise Twin engagement ring set with not one, but two, marquise-cut diamonds - one white and one deep orange in colour, and both weighing in at more than 2.00cts each. The white gold band has been set with a further 12 orange and white pear-shaped diamonds.
7. David Marshall
Vintage platinum and diamond engagement ring
£20,040
The 1.4ct marquise-cut diamond at the centre of this engagement ring from David Marshall’s Vintage collection has been bolstered by a halo of round brilliant diamonds, helping it to appear even larger than it is. Even more diamonds glitter round the edge of the setting and also on the split shank of the platinum band.
8. Victoria Walker at Damson Jewellery
Daisy Petal yellow gold and diamond ring
£1,235
Damson Jewellery specialises in contemporary jewels from British designers and its current line-up includes Victoria Walker, who has designed this Daisy Petal ring inspired by the purity and innocence of daisies. The marquise-cut diamond has been bezel set and placed at a slight angle on the yellow gold band. A scalloped gold matching wedding band is also available.
9. Mappin & Webb
Aster platinum and diamond ring
£1,850
The design of this whimsical Aster ring by British jeweller and royal warrant holder Mappin & Webb is inspired by the colourful flower of the same name. A cluster of marquise-cut diamonds are tightly set around a central round brilliant diamond to create a very precious flower. The platinum and diamond ring is a beautifully modern twist on a very traditional design.
10. Glenn Spiro at Harrods
I Do titanium and diamond engagement ring
£POA
The I Do collection is Glenn Spiro’s first design collaboration with his son Joseph, and it has launched exclusively at Harrods. The rings in the collection are all made from titanium, which can be annodised to create blue, green, pink and cognac-coloured metals. This ring has been left in its original state of white metal and features a twisted diamond-set band with a large marquise-cut diamond surrounded by a shaped halo of smaller round diamonds.
