Cushion Cut Vs. Princess Cut Diamond: Pros and Cons

If you've been narrowing down your engagement ring options and landed on these two - cushion cut vs princess cut diamonds - you already have good taste. Both shapes fall in the same category (square-ish, not round), but they offer very different experiences in everyday wear. One is soft and romantic. The other is sharp and modern. In this blog, we’ll help you decide which one belongs on your partner’s finger.

What is a Cushion Cut Diamond?

The cushion cut has been around since the 1700s, originally known as the Old Mine cut, invented by the Venetian polisher, Vincent Peruzzi. The old mine cut had 33 facets in the crown (top) and 25 in the pavilion (bottom).

The modern cushion cut today has 64 facets. So this cut had a few upgrades since then, but the core shape has stayed the same: rounded corners, curved sides, still looking like a pillow. Thus, cushion cut diamonds slowly became the option for someone who wanted something more unique than a round diamond, but not as sharp and angular as the princess cut. 

What is a Princess Cut Diamond?

The princess cut is relatively newer. It was invented by Betazel Ambar and Israel Itzkowitz in 1980. It features a square face with sharp 90-degree corners and an inverted pyramid base, designed to get as close to a round brilliant's sparkle as possible without softness. Plus, this cut is the second most popular after the round, brilliant diamond. It has a clean, modern appearance that makes it one of the most popular cuts for contemporary engagement rings.

Key Differences Between Cushion Cut and Princess Cut Diamonds

1. Shape and Aesthetic Appeal

Princess cut diamonds have a more geometric shape and were designed to produce the maximum sparkle. On the other hand, cushion cut diamonds feature rounded corners and a pillow-ish outline with a softer appearance. It truly depends on the vibe you want your diamond engagement ring to exude. If it’s more traditional and soft, choose a cushion cut, but if you want it to be more contemporary and bright-looking, choose a princess cut. 

2. Sparkle and Brilliance

Both diamonds sparkle differently. The princess cut is designed to maximize light reflection, so it appears highly sparkly with intense brilliance and fire. In comparison, the cushion cut reflects more colored light, creating softer white flashes instead. The former produces a sharper sparkle, while the latter offers a dreamy, romantic glow often described as a “crushed ice” effect. If your priority is something that will catch the viewer’s eye first, the princess cut is the better choice.

3. Durability and Practicality

If you accidentally hit your princess cut ring against a countertop at the wrong angle, a corner can chip. That same hit on a cushion cut is far less likely to cause damage because there are no sharp edges to catch the impact. The sharp corners on a princess cut can also catch on clothing and furniture during daily wear. This doesn't mean you can't wear a princess cut every day. It just means that you need to find the right setting to protect those corners, like a bezel or a V-prong setting. 

4. Price and Value

For your wallet, cushion cut diamonds tend to be a more practical choice. Because of their sharp corners and the complex cut shape that maximizes a diamond’s sparkle, princess cuts tend to be slightly more expensive when you’re shopping for engagement rings. However, do note that princess cuts are still relatively affordable compared to other shapes. Both princess cut and cushion cut diamonds fall under similar price brackets, so we advise you to properly compare their prices (select the same band metal and carat weight) before making a choice.

Pros and Cons of Cushion Cut Diamonds

Pros

• Long Lasting: Durability is the biggest win for cushion cuts. The rounded corners make them less prone to chipping, so you don't have to think twice before washing dishes or going to the gym. 

• Affordable: It's also more forgiving with clarity. Cushion cuts are better at hiding inclusions than princess cuts, so small imperfections inside the stone are harder to spot. That means you can often go a grade lower on clarity without it being visible to the naked eye, which saves money.

• Versatile: Whether it is a solitaire, halo or three-stone setting, cushion cut diamonds look amazing in all. 

Cons

• Less White Sparkle: Cushion cuts can reveal a more yellow tint compared to princess cuts of the same color grade, because less white light bounces back out of the stone (crushed ice effect). If you're setting in white gold or platinum, stick to a D or F color grade or above to keep the diamond looking clean and bright.

• Smaller Face: They are bottom-heavy, meaning a 1-carat cushion will look visually smaller than a 1-carat princess stone.

Pros and Cons of Princess Cut Diamonds

Pros

• Best Sparkle: Their sparkle is the sharpest of any square shape. With around 58 facets, princess cuts are designed to maximize how light reflects through the stone. 

• Looks Bigger: They also tend to look bigger for the same carat weight since the corner-to-corner measurement of a princess-cut ring appears bigger to the naked eye. 

• Affordable: Compared to a round brilliant diamond of the same carat weight, a princess cut is much more affordable if you consider its brilliance.

Cons

• Prone to Chipping: You must use either V-prongs or bezels (either partial or full) that wrap around each corner to protect the ring. Regular round prongs don't safeguard the corners adequately and will lead to chipping over time.

• Heavily Reliant on Cut Quality: A poor cut quality can lead to dark inclusions near the corners, making the diamond more vulnerable to chipping and making the center appear dark too. Always ensure you check the clarity of the princess-cut diamond to be at least VS1 (Very Slightly Included) when you purchase.
  

Which One Should You Choose?

Honestly, it depends on your lifestyle and your personal preferences. 

For a timeless look, consider a cushion cut. The princess cut is an extremely modern shape and looks more contemporary. If you spend weekends outdoors, have a hands-on lifestyle, or would genuinely forget that a ring needs maintenance, the cushion is the safer long-term bet.

But, if you want maximum sparkle, a slightly larger face-up appearance, and a justifiable price point, the princess cut delivers all three. You just need to choose an appropriate setting to protect all the corners. 

At CaratBee, discover a curated collection of both these diamond shapes. The cushion cut, in particular, requires less maintenance and is easier to wear over time. Ultimately, the choice comes down to your instincts and aesthetic. 

Conclusion

The cushion cut and princess cut are two of the most popular non-round diamond shapes, and for good reason. If you prefer classic romance, the cushion cut may be ideal. If you lean toward clean lines and bold brilliance, the princess cut might be the right choice.

At CaratBee, both shapes are available in lab grown diamonds, graded to the same standards as mined stones at a significantly better price. All our rings are crafted with IGI-certified lab grown diamonds of unparalleled quality. We also offer expert customization service to help you create the perfect ring without compromising on your budget.