Pear vs Marquise Diamonds

Pear and marquise are the two classic elongated fancy shapes, both brilliant-cut for sparkle and both maximizing spread per carat. The difference is symmetry: a pear has one rounded end and one point; a marquise comes to a point at both ends.

	Pear	Marquise
Outline	Teardrop — one point, one round end	Pointed at both ends (a "navette")
Size for the carat	Looks larger than a round	Looks the largest of almost any shape per carat
Finger effect	Elongates and slims	Maximally elongates and slims
Weak points	The single point needs protection	Two points to protect
Bow-tie	Possible — judge each stone	Possible — judge each stone
Best for	A distinctive teardrop with a softer end	Maximum apparent size and a bold, regal look

Which should you choose?

Both stretch every carat into a finger-lengthening silhouette. Choose pear for a softer, distinctive teardrop; choose marquise for the largest look per carat and a bolder, vintage-regal outline. Protect the point(s) with the setting and check each stone for a bow-tie.

Pear

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PearLabIGI

0.10 ct · VS2 · -

Pear Diamond

$74

PearLabIGI

0.13 ct · SI1 · -

Pear Diamond

$81

PearLabIGI

0.24 ct · G · VS2 · -

Pear Diamond

$83

PearLabIGI

0.23 ct · G · VS2 · -

Pear Diamond

$84

Marquise

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MarquiseLabIGI

0.12 ct · VS2 · -

Marquise Diamond

$81

MarquiseLabIGI

0.22 ct · D · SI1 · -

Marquise Diamond

$82

MarquiseIGI

0.07 ct · F · SI1 · -

Marquise Diamond

$84

MarquiseIGI

0.07 ct · F · SI2 · -

Marquise Diamond

$84

Pear vs Marquise — common questions

Which looks bigger, pear or marquise?: Marquise — it has the largest face-up area per carat of nearly any shape, with a pear close behind. Both look notably larger than a round of the same weight.
Are pear and marquise durable?: Their points are the vulnerable spots — a pear has one, a marquise has two. A protective prong (often a V-prong) on each point makes them everyday-friendly.
What is a bow-tie?: A dark band across the center that elongated brilliant shapes can show when light leaks through. It varies stone to stone, so view each pear or marquise individually and pick one where it is faint.

Keep comparing

Pear

Marquise

Outline

Teardrop — one point, one round end

Pointed at both ends (a "navette")

Size for the carat

Looks larger than a round

Looks the largest of almost any shape per carat

Finger effect

Elongates and slims

Maximally elongates and slims

Weak points

The single point needs protection

Two points to protect

Bow-tie

Possible — judge each stone

Best for

A distinctive teardrop with a softer end

Maximum apparent size and a bold, regal look

Pear vs Marquise — common questions

Which looks bigger, pear or marquise?

Marquise — it has the largest face-up area per carat of nearly any shape, with a pear close behind. Both look notably larger than a round of the same weight.

Are pear and marquise durable?

Their points are the vulnerable spots — a pear has one, a marquise has two. A protective prong (often a V-prong) on each point makes them everyday-friendly.

What is a bow-tie?

A dark band across the center that elongated brilliant shapes can show when light leaks through. It varies stone to stone, so view each pear or marquise individually and pick one where it is faint.