Why Are Marquise Engagement Rings Trending Again?
- Lee Molseed
- Apr 14
- 8 min read
Marquise engagement rings are trending again because they do something many other shapes cannot: they feel distinctive without losing elegance. Their elongated outline gives strong finger coverage, their vintage roots suit the wider return to character-led jewellery, and they can be styled to look either classic or sharply modern. For couples who want something less predictable than a round brilliant or oval, marquise offers a very strong answer.
In our Plymouth workshop, we are seeing more interest in engagement rings that feel personal rather than generic. That is exactly where marquise sits today. It is recognisable, flattering and dramatic, but still refined enough to wear every day.
The elongated shape makes the centre stone look larger for its weight.
It naturally lengthens and slims the appearance of the finger.
It bridges vintage romance and modern minimalism better than many cuts.
It works beautifully in solitaire, bezel, east-west and three-stone designs.
It stands out in a market crowded with round, oval and cushion shapes.
Why marquise engagement rings feel current again
The comeback is not just about nostalgia. Marquise engagement rings match several wider design movements at once. Buyers want more individuality, more visible craftsmanship and less of the one-style-fits-all look that dominated social media for years. Marquise answers that shift very well because its proportions, setting style and orientation all change the feel of the ring dramatically.
Celebrity visibility has helped too. Selena Gomez’s marquise engagement ring put the shape in front of a much wider audience, but the reason it has lasted beyond the initial attention is simpler: the cut genuinely suits modern taste. It gives a ring presence without needing an overly bulky design, and it looks especially strong in clean contemporary settings.
Marquise is trending again because it feels individual, not because it feels novel. The best versions look considered rather than attention-seeking.
Are marquise diamonds becoming popular again?
Yes. Marquise diamonds are becoming popular again because they answer several practical and aesthetic questions at the same time. They offer strong visual spread, a romantic silhouette, plenty of design flexibility and a shape that still feels less common than oval or round. In other words, they are unusual enough to feel special, but established enough to feel timeless.
That balance matters. Many buyers want something memorable, but they do not want a ring that feels like a passing fad. Marquise works because it already has historical credibility, yet it can be reinterpreted in a crisp modern way through bezel settings, east-west layouts, yellow gold bands or pared-back platinum solitaires.
Why the marquise ring is so popular right now
The short answer is that marquise solves a lot of what buyers want in one shape. It looks elegant, gives excellent finger coverage and has enough edge to feel fashion-aware without becoming difficult to wear. It is also one of the few classic cuts that can look equally convincing in antique-inspired and very contemporary ring designs.
Vintage revival has brought older diamond silhouettes back into focus.
Many couples now prefer uncommon shapes over the safest traditional options.
Elongated stones remain popular, and marquise is one of the boldest elongated choices.
Minimal settings let the outline of the stone do more of the design work.
A marquise can look dramatic even when the overall ring remains wearable and balanced.
For anyone reading this alongside broader trend research, our guide to engagement ring trends for 2026 gives useful wider context.
Are marquise engagement rings classy?
Absolutely. A marquise engagement ring is classy when the proportions are right and the setting suits the stone. The shape has a long, elegant line that naturally reads as refined. It can feel romantic in a vintage design, architectural in a bezel, or understated in a solitaire. What makes it sophisticated is not only the cut itself, but how well the ring is balanced overall.
Marquise can look overworked if surrounded by too many competing details, but that is a design problem rather than a shape problem. In a thoughtful setting, it is one of the most graceful cuts available. Popular styles for engagement rings include these stunning diamond and gemstone marquise rings, in both platinum, yellow and white gold:
Is a marquise diamond outdated?
No. Marquise is not outdated; it is simply more cyclical than round brilliant. There were periods when it felt less visible because market demand leaned heavily towards round, princess and then oval cuts. But that does not make marquise obsolete. It means the cut had room to feel fresh again once buyers started moving away from the most obvious choices.
The strongest marquise rings today avoid looking like direct reproductions of past decades. They take the best qualities of the shape and pair them with cleaner styling, better proportions and more careful setting choices.
A marquise ring only looks dated when the design around it is dated. The cut itself is timeless.
Why marquise became less popular for a time
Marquise never disappeared, but there are sensible reasons it slipped behind other shapes for a while. Buyers often found round diamonds easier to compare, easier to source and easier to set into standard designs. Oval then took a large share of the elongated-shape market because it offered a softer outline with fewer perceived risks at the pointed ends.
Marquise also needs careful selection. A poor example can show an obvious bow-tie effect, uneven shoulders or awkward proportions. The tips need proper protection too. Those details matter more with marquise than with some other cuts, which means the shape rewards expertise but does not lend itself quite as well to mass-produced sameness.
Do marquise diamonds sparkle less?
Not necessarily. A well-cut marquise can be very lively, but the sparkle is different from a round brilliant. Round stones are often prized for their balanced, even light return. Marquise tends to give a more elongated flash pattern, which many people find dramatic and elegant. The key is cut quality. If the stone is too shallow, too deep or poorly proportioned, it will not perform as well.
In practice, the right marquise should look bright, crisp and expressive rather than dull. If a client is comparing shapes in our workshop, we always recommend looking at stones in person because faceting performance and face-up shape matter more than specification alone.
Who marquise engagement rings suit best
Marquise engagement rings suit people who want elegance with a little more personality. They are especially good for buyers who like elongated shapes but want something less expected than an oval. They also suit those who want a stone that appears generous on the hand without relying solely on carat weight.
Choose marquise if you want a ring that feels distinctive at first glance.
Choose it if finger-flattering proportions matter to you.
Choose it if you like vintage influence but want a modern finished result.
Choose it if you are open to design details such as east-west setting, bezel edging or tapered side stones.
Choose it only after viewing proportions on the hand, because length-to-width ratio changes the character of the ring significantly.
Best settings for marquise engagement rings in 2026
This is one of the main reasons marquise has returned so strongly: it adapts beautifully to current design language.
Solitaire marquise rings
A solitaire lets the shape do the talking. This is often the best route for clients who want the marquise outline to remain the star of the ring.
Bezel-set marquise rings
A bezel can make marquise feel clean, contemporary and practical. It also offers added protection around the stone, which appeals to clients who want everyday wearability. Visit our full to guide to bezel-set engagement rings.
East-west marquise rings
Set horizontally, marquise becomes more fashion-forward and architectural. This is a strong option for buyers who love elongated stones but want a less traditional presentation. Visit our full guide to east-west engagement rings.
Three-stone and toi et moi designs
Marquise combines well with tapered baguettes, pears and other elongated shapes. In a toi et moi ring it can look especially expressive, but the balance has to be right. Visit our full guide to toi et moi engagement rings.
Yellow gold versus platinum
Yellow gold gives marquise warmth and a slightly more romantic, vintage feel. Platinum and white gold usually make the overall look crisper and more contemporary. Neither is automatically better; it depends on whether you want softness or sharpness in the finished design. You can find out more yellow gold vs platinum in engagement ring trends by visiting our full guide.
If you are comparing styles, check out our growing engagement ring collection. Or check out our overview of all the latest engagement ring trends for this year, which has links to more detailed guides for each style.
A brief history of the marquise cut
Part of marquise’s renewed appeal is that it comes with real history. The cut is often linked to 18th-century France and has long carried a romantic, courtly reputation. That backstory helps, but the more important point for modern buyers is that marquise has heritage. It does not need to pretend to be timeless; it already is.
That heritage also explains why marquise works so well in antique-inspired settings, milgrain details and yellow gold mounts. At the same time, its sharp outline translates neatly into the cleaner styling many buyers now prefer.
Where marquise fits into wider engagement ring trends
Marquise sits comfortably alongside several other current preferences without being swallowed by them. Oval remains popular, east-west settings continue to attract attention, bezel-set rings feel increasingly relevant, and warmer metals have grown in appeal. Marquise benefits from all of these movements while still keeping its own identity.
That is why it feels more durable than a micro-trend. It is not relying on one single look. Instead, it has become a flexible shape within a broader shift towards personality, craftsmanship and rings that do not look copied from the same online shortlist.
A Plymouth perspective on choosing marquise
For couples in Plymouth and across Devon, marquise engagement rings often makes sense for a practical reason as much as a stylistic one: it is a shape you really should see in person before deciding. Small changes in proportion can make a big difference to how the ring looks on the hand, and elongated stones can feel quite different in natural light from how they appear in photographs.
That is one advantage of working with a local workshop rather than buying blind. We can discuss how pointed ends will be protected, whether a bezel or claws are the better choice for your lifestyle, and how to balance the stone with wedding bands you may want to wear later.
Plymouth’s long maritime history also means vintage style and enduring craftsmanship have real local resonance. We would not claim a direct historical link between Plymouth and marquise itself, but in a city with deep naval heritage and a strong appreciation for well-made objects, it is easy to see why rings with shape, story and longevity connect so well.
If you are funding a new commission, you may also find our guide useful on selling old or unwanted gold in Plymouth.
Frequently asked questions about marquise engagement rings
Are marquise diamonds becoming popular again?
Yes. They are returning because buyers want elongated shapes, vintage character and something more individual than the most common engagement ring cuts.
Why is the marquise ring so popular?
It combines strong finger coverage, a flattering outline, historical appeal and the ability to look either classic or modern depending on the setting.
Are marquise engagement rings classy?
Yes. When well proportioned and thoughtfully set, marquise rings are elegant, refined and highly wearable.
Is a marquise diamond outdated?
No. It is an established historic cut that has become newly relevant because today’s buyers want more individuality and stronger design character.
Why was the marquise cut less popular for a while?
Round, princess and later oval shapes dominated the market for long periods, and marquise requires more careful selection and setting to look its best.
Are marquise diamonds less sparkly?
Not if they are well cut. Their light return differs from round brilliant diamonds, but a strong marquise should still look bright and lively.
What diamond shape is hot right now?
Elongated shapes remain especially strong, including oval and marquise, while east-west settings, bezels and more character-led vintage influences continue to gain attention.
Where can I find marquise engagement rings with modern designs in the UK?
Look for jewellers who offer bespoke or workshop-led design rather than only standard catalogue settings. That gives you more control over proportions, protection, metal choice and overall styling.
What is the trend in engagement rings in 2026?
The broader direction is towards individuality, craftsmanship, elongated stones, more protective settings and rings that feel personal rather than mass-selected.
Whether you already know you want a marquise centre stone or you are still comparing shapes, we would be happy to help you view options in person and design something that feels right for the way you actually live and wear jewellery.
Comments