You’re standing in a jewelry store, or maybe you’re reading a historical novel about the French court, and there it is. That word. It looks elegant. It looks expensive. But then you realize you have to say it out loud, and suddenly your brain stalls. Is it "mar-keez"? Is it "mar-kwize"? Honestly, it’s one of those words that acts as a linguistic gatekeeper. If you get it right, you sound like you know your diamonds and your history. If you get it wrong, well, it’s just a bit awkward.
The truth is, how to pronounce marquise depends almost entirely on whether you're talking about a French noblewoman or a sparkly rock on someone's finger. Most people trip up because English is a thief of a language. We steal words from French, change the meaning slightly, and then argue about how to say them for the next three hundred years.
The Diamond Dilemma: Mar-Keez vs. Mar-Kwize
If you are looking at an elongated diamond with pointed ends—the kind that makes fingers look long and slender—you are looking at a marquise cut. In the jewelry world, the standard American and British English pronunciation is mar-KEEZ.
It rhymes with "cheese" or "keys."
The accent sits heavily on the second syllable. Say it with me: mar-KEEZ. Don't let that "u" trick you into making a "kw" sound. In French, "qu" almost always functions as a hard "k" sound. If you walk into a high-end jeweler and ask for a "mar-kwize" diamond, they’ll know what you mean, but you’ve effectively outed yourself as someone who hasn't spent much time around gemstones.
Why do we care? Because the cut has a specific history. Legend says King Louis XV of France commissioned a jeweler to create a diamond shape that mimicked the perfectly shaped lips of his mistress, the Marquise de Pompadour. Since the inspiration was a French title, the pronunciation stayed (mostly) French.
When the Rules Change: The Noble Title
Now, let’s pivot to history. If you’re talking about a woman who holds a rank above a countess but below a marchioness (depending on the country), you’re talking about a Marquise.
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In a strictly French historical context, the pronunciation softens even further. It’s still mar-KEEZ, but the "r" is that throaty, uvular French "r" that's hard to replicate unless you've spent a summer in Lyon. For most English speakers, sticking to "mar-KEEZ" is the safest bet for the title too.
However, things get messy when we talk about the British equivalent: the Marchioness.
Wait.
Why did the word change?
In the British peerage, the male is a Marquess (pronounced MAR-kwiss). The female is a Marchioness (pronounced MAR-shun-ess). If you are referring to a French noblewoman, use the French word. If she’s British, use the British word. Never call a British Marchioness a "Mar-keez" unless you want a very frosty reception at tea.
Common Mistakes and Why Your Brain is Lying to You
Phonetics is a liar. You see "qu" and your brain immediately goes to "queen" or "quiet." That’s the "kw" sound. It’s an instinctive reflex for English speakers.
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- The "Mar-kwize" Trap: This is the most common error. It happens because people try to apply English phonetic rules to a French loanword.
- The "Mar-kwis" Confusion: This happens when people confuse the feminine Marquise with the masculine Marquess.
- The Silent 'E': In French, that final 'e' isn't really pronounced as a syllable, but it does tell you to pronounce the 's' as a 'z' sound. Without the 'e', it would be Marquis (mar-KEE), which is the male title.
The History of the "Lips" Cut
Let’s get back to the diamond because that’s where most people encounter this word today. The Marquise cut is technically a "modified brilliant." It has 58 facets. It’s designed to maximize carat weight, making a diamond look much larger than a round brilliant of the same weight.
Jean-Antoinette Poisson, better known as Madame de Pompadour, was the woman who started it all. She wasn't just a mistress; she was a political powerhouse and a patron of the arts. When Louis XV wanted a diamond that looked like her smile, he wasn't just being romantic—he was creating a status symbol.
When you say "mar-KEEZ," you’re referencing that 18th-century French opulence. It's a word with weight.
Does Regional Accent Matter?
Sort of. In some parts of the American South or the rural UK, you might hear "mar-kwize." Language is fluid, and if everyone in a specific town says it one way, then for that town, it’s "right." But if you’re aiming for the "correct" dictionary standard used in fashion, gemology, and history, "mar-KEEZ" remains the gold standard.
Even the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), which is basically the Supreme Court of diamonds, uses the "mar-KEEZ" phonetic guide. If the people who grade the diamonds say it that way, you probably should too.
Real World Usage: How to Practice
The best way to stop fumbling is to use it in a low-stakes environment. Go to a jewelry website. Look at the "Marquise" section. Say the word every time you click a new ring.
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- "That marquise (mar-KEEZ) has great symmetry."
- "I prefer a marquise (mar-KEEZ) over a pear shape."
- "The marquise (mar-KEEZ) cut is prone to chipping at the points."
That last part is actually a pro tip. If you’re buying one, make sure the setting protects those sharp ends. The "points" are the most vulnerable part of the stone. If you hit a marquise diamond against a granite countertop just right, it can crack. Use V-tip prongs. They look like little tiny claws and they save your investment.
Moving Beyond the Basics
Once you've mastered the pronunciation, you might start noticing the word in other places. There’s the Marquise furniture style—a wide, deep chair that’s basically a "love seat" for one person (or one person with a very large 18th-century dress). It’s also pronounced "mar-KEEZ."
Then there’s the "Marquise" dessert, usually a rich chocolate mousse-like cake. Again: "mar-KEEZ."
Basically, if it’s fancy, French in origin, and spelled with an 'e' at the end, your default should be the "eez" sound.
Essential Takeaways for Your Next Conversation
Stop overthinking the "qu." It’s a "k."
If you're still nervous, just remember that even experts occasionally slip up. But if you want to sound authoritative, focus on that sharp "K" and the buzzing "Z" at the end.
Actionable Steps to Perfect Your Speech:
- Record yourself: Use your phone to record yourself saying "Marquise de Pompadour" and "Marquise cut diamond." Listen back. Does it sound like "cheese" or "quiet"?
- Watch jewelry auctions: Go to YouTube and search for Sotheby’s or Christie’s jewelry auctions. Listen to the auctioneer. They are trained in the specific "correct" pronunciations of luxury goods. You’ll hear "mar-KEEZ" every single time.
- Check the setting: If you are actually buying a marquise, don't just worry about the name. Check for the "bow-tie effect." This is a dark shadow in the center of the stone that happens if the cut is too deep or too shallow. A well-cut marquise (mar-KEEZ!) should have minimal shadow.
Next time you're at a wedding or a gala and someone flashes a pointed diamond your way, you won't have to hesitate. You'll know exactly what to call it. It’s a marquise. And now you sound like you’ve belonged in the room all along.
Invest in the "K" sound. Avoid the "W." Your reputation as a person of culture—or at least a person who knows their gemstones—depends on it.