Ways to Set a Marquise Diamond: Three Stone, East-West and More
By Clint Casmiro, Co-Founder, Smiro Studio, Toronto · Updated September 28, 2026
Short answer: A marquise can be set as a simple six prong solitaire, a three stone ring, with unique side stones for width across the finger, or east-west across the finger. Side stones add horizontal coverage to a stone that is long and narrow. An east-west marquise with a tulip basket needs a split shank to keep all six prongs, and gives you room for a full petal in the middle.
We know you love marquise diamonds, so here are the ways we have set them, starting with the simplest.
Read the video transcript
There are six unique ways to set a marquise diamond in an engagement ring. I'm going to start off with probably the most simple variation. This is a beautiful six pronged tulip basket. When you flip it over, you see that amazing basket stretch on the marquise. This has a three millimetre chunky gold band, beautiful three stone marquise setting. This has leaf engraved prongs. When you flip it over, you see the beautiful tulip basket on all three stones. I love pairing unique side stones with a marquise diamond or any diamond for that fact. Not only is she getting beautiful vertical coverage on her finger, but she's also getting amazing horizontal coverage. This was an extremely hard one to design because the client really wanted an east-west setting with a tulip basket. How do you design that while still maintaining all six prongs, our solution was getting a split shank. So you can see the split shank flows directly into the petals itself, and then in the middle we were able to add a full entire petal, specific floral detailing on the bridge with milgrain border. So cool girl from just top down, and the moment you flip it over and you realise all the detail and effort that went through the design, you know that this is a special one of one ring.
A six prong tulip on a chunky band
The simplest one. Six prongs with a tulip basket that stretches the length of the marquise, on a 3mm gold band. The thicker band balances a long stone and makes the ring feel solid.
A three stone marquise
Three marquise stones with leaf engraved prongs, and a tulip basket under all three. It is a lot of ring from the side, and still clean from the top.
Unique side stones
We love pairing unique side stones with a marquise. A marquise gives you length on the finger. Side stones give you width. Together you get coverage in both directions. Kite shapes are a favourite because their points echo the marquise.
East-west with a tulip basket
This was one of the hardest to design. The client wanted the marquise set east-west, across the finger, with a tulip basket and all six prongs kept. The answer was a split shank. It flows directly into the petals, and in the middle there was room for a full petal.
Floral detail on the bridge
From the top it is a clean marquise. Underneath, the bridge has floral detailing with a milgrain border, the tiny beaded edge you see on antique jewellery. It is the part most people never see until they turn the ring over.
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Book a free callGet a 60 second estimateQuestions we get about this
How many prongs should a marquise have?
Usually six. The prongs on the two tips protect the points, which are the most fragile part of the stone.
Can you set a marquise east-west?
Yes. East-west means across the finger. With a tulip basket we use a split shank to keep all six prongs.
What side stones go with a marquise?
Kites, smaller marquises, trapezoids and pears all work. They add width to a long, narrow stone.
How much does a marquise engagement ring cost?
A fully custom ring from us starts at about $4,000 USD, and most of the rings we build land between $4,000 and $5,000. Our Ready To Order settings start at $1,299 CAD, plus the diamond. The centre stone moves the price most: in September 2026 a 2 carat lab grown diamond ran about $2,500 CAD and a 3 carat about $2,700 CAD. Real numbers are in our cost guide.
Is a marquise engagement ring old fashioned?
It had a big moment in the 70s and 80s, and it is back now in a very different way: slimmer bands, tulip baskets, east-west settings and unique side stones make it read modern.
What is the best setting for a marquise?
Six claw prongs, with the two on the tips protecting the points. From there a tulip basket, a hidden halo or side stones are all good choices.
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