Marquise or Navette Cut Diamond:
This cut thanks its name to the Marquise of Pompadour: a legend relates that this cut was invented during the 18th-century reign of Louis XIV, allegedly named for his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour, and inspired by her smile. Offers a very luminous centre, but loses its sparkle towards the points. The uniquely tapered cut, essentially an oval with rounded sides and points at each end. Modern-day versions often have a hexagon-shaped surface with facets on the top and bottom to reflect light. It's ideal for those looking to maximize carat weight and for those who like a little opulence every now and again.
