A boutique in Boston took a chance on marquise moissanite for a client with long, slender fingers and ordered 30 stones to build a display. The parcel arrived with thin tips on nearly half the stones, and within two months two clients had chipped tips on rings they had worn daily. The supplier had treated marquise tips the same way round girdles get treated — visually — and that is the single most expensive mistake a marquise buyer can make. Marquise is the most elongated fancy shape, and its two sharp tips are its entire vulnerability. Below is the tip-thickness spec we ship and the ratio logic behind it.
Why marquise cuts need special handling
The marquise is a long, narrow stone with two pointed tips. It is the shape that gives the most finger coverage per carat, which is why clients with slender fingers love it. But the geometry creates two failure modes:
- Thin tips. The two pointed ends sit on a thin girdle. Without adequate tip thickness or a protected setting, they chip in daily wear.
- Ratio inconsistency. Marquises cut from 1.8 L:W (shorter) to 2.2 L:W (long). A mixed tray looks mismatched, and clients cannot compare.
Marquises also show a light bow-tie across the widest point, similar to ovals.
| Inspection point | Industry bulk norm | Our marquise parcel |
|---|---|---|
| Tip thickness | Visual | 10x girdle check at both tips; thin tips flagged |
| L:W ratio | ±0.15 unsorted | ±0.05 within tray; short/long labeled |
| Bow-tie | Moderate allowed | Rejected if moderate or stronger |
| Color | D–H mixed | D–F sorted |
The marquise spec we publish
We hold marquises to the following tolerances, about 20% tighter than bulk suppliers:
- Tip thickness: both tips are examined at 10x. Any stone with a thin girdle at the tip is tagged with a setting note — usually “V-prong or bezel tip.” This step removes most in-warranty tip chips.
- Ratio trays: shorter marquises (1.8–1.95 L:W) and longer marquises (2.0–2.2 L:W) ship in separate, labeled trays. Within-tray ratio tolerance is held to ±0.05.
- Bow-tie: marquises with a moderate or stronger bow-tie are rejected. Slight bow-tie is noted on the grading sheet.
- Color: D–F sorted. The long facets of a marquise show warm color faster than rounds, so color sorting matters.
- Certification: GRA on every marquise with ratio and tip note recorded. IGI documentation for US high-jewelery accounts on request.
Which marquise program fits you
Boutique testing marquise demand
Start with 20 shorter marquises (1.85 L:W) in the 1.0–1.5ct bracket, D–F. Shorter marquises are the most versatile silhouette and sell into clients who want elongation without the extreme look.
High-end bridal store
Carry short and long trays. Long marquises (2.1 L:W) are the red-carpet silhouette and read dramatically on slender fingers. We supply matched small marquises for east-west settings and bypass bands.
Private-label / OEM
We cut marquises to your ratio and tip spec, carded under your brand. Minimum 50 stones per ratio bracket. Export documentation covers EU and US DDP shipping with full customs paperwork; GRA certificates travel with every stone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do marquise moissanites make fingers look longer?
Yes. The elongated silhouette draws the eye along the finger, which is why marquises are the classic choice for slender fingers. A 1.0ct marquise reads larger than a 1.0ct round on the hand.
How do you protect marquise tips?
We inspect both tips at 10x and tag thin-tip stones for V-prong or bezel settings. With protected tips, marquise moissanites wear daily well; without, the tips are the first point of failure.
What MOQ applies to marquise parcels?
Opening MOQ is 20 marquises in one ratio and carat bracket. Reorders start at 10. Private-label programs require 50 stones per ratio bracket.
Short or long marquises — which to stock?
Shorter marquises (1.85 L:W) outsell long marquises roughly 70/30 in our US book. Stock long marquises if your clientele leans red-carpet or vintage; otherwise lead with shorter.
How long do stock marquises take?
Stock marquises ship in 5 business days. Custom-ratio or private-label parcels run 15–20 business days, DDP to US and EU addresses.
How marquise pricing and finger coverage play together
Marquises carry a small per-carat premium over ovals because the elongated cut yields less rough, but they deliver the most finger coverage of any shape per carat. A 1.0ct marquise reads as a 1.4ct oval on the hand, which is why clients with slender fingers specifically ask for it. For a boutique whose client base skews toward long-fingered, slim-hand clients, the marquise bracket converts at a higher ticket than the per-carat price suggests.
When you compare quotes, ask whether tip thickness is inspected per stone. A supplier skipping that check is shipping stones that chip in-warranty within a few months; the replacement cost on those chips usually wipes out the price advantage of the cheaper quote.
Takeaways
- Require a tip-thickness check on every marquise PO.
- Keep short and long ratios in separate, labeled trays.
- Reject any marquise with a moderate or stronger bow-tie.
- Sort D–F color; long facets show warmth fast.
Request a marquise sample parcel: 20 shorter marquises, 1.0–1.5ct, D–F, ships in 5 business days. Browse the marquise collection, read our elongation guide, or apply for wholesale pricing. Finished marquise rings are listed under engagement rings.