A Complete Guide to Princess Cut Engagement Rings

The princess cut is now the second most popular diamond shape for engagement rings, because it is a beautiful mix of modern sparkle and timeless elegance. In this princess cut diamond guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about selecting a princess cut diamond ring, from understanding its unique brilliance to finding a style that truly reflects your love. By the end, you’ll know you can make a choice that is as special as your relationship, and you’ll feel confident and excited to do so.

What Is a Princess Cut Diamond?

The princess cut diamond is the perfect combination of modern design and brilliance. Sharp, clean lines give this square shaped gemstone a bold, modern look with great fire and scintillation. This unique shape, which only became popular in the 1960s, has been a favorite of those looking for something unique yet classic.

What distinguishes the princess cut diamond from the others is its special faceting pattern that optimizes the diamond's inherent light dispersion feature. Here, the princess cut differs from round diamonds that follow curved lines, instead, it uses geometric precision to create its signature sparkle. If you are a couple wanting your princess cut engagement ring to reflect your personal style, this square gemstone is versatile enough to work well in both vintage inspired and ultra modern settings.

Features of a Princess Cut Diamond

Princess cut diamonds have a lot of distinctive characteristics that separate them from other shapes. The most obvious feature is that they look perfectly square when viewed from above (some variations are slightly rectangular). Pointed corners make these diamonds very interesting visually, and they need protective prongs in ring settings.

Princess cuts get their signature brilliance from the flat table and geometric faceting pattern. The large table allows light to enter and then bounce between the facets below, which are all precisely angled, and the flashes of white and colored light dance across the surface of the stone. Although it has a completely different look, its optical performance is comparable to that of round diamonds.

How Many Facets Does a Princess Cut Diamond Have?

Almost all princess cut diamonds have either 57 or 76 facets, depending on the cutting style the artisan chooses.

The faceting pattern of the princess cut is exceptional when it comes to the return of light because the chevron-shaped facets radiating from the center toward each corner return brilliant light. The light bounces back to your eye with amazing intensity through these geometric facets and creates the signature sparkle that makes princess cuts so beautiful.

The depth percentage of the best princess cut diamonds is between 68% and 75%, and the table percentage is between 65% and 75%. These proportions optimize light performance while preserving the structural integrity and aesthetics of the stone.

Because the geometric pattern of a princess cut instantly reveals any misalignment, perfect symmetry is still a must. High-quality cutting ensures that all facets come together exactly at their intended angles, giving maximum brilliance and the clean, sharp lines that characterize this beautiful shape.

Choosing the Right Setting for a Princess Cut Ring

Understanding what a princess cut diamond is helps you appreciate why selecting the perfect setting becomes so crucial for this distinctive shape. The choice of setting you select for your diamond will either bring out the beauty of the diamond or take away from its striking geometric appeal. You can use princess cuts with rings that are classic or modern, and they will work well.

Popular settings: solitaire, halo, three-stone: The solitaire setting is still the most popular setting because it lets the diamond’s clean lines and brilliant faceting shine on their own without any competition. Halo settings are dramatic because they give the smaller diamonds surrounding the princess cut a chance to create a halo of sparkle around the centre stone, making the centre stone appear larger. A princess cut flanked by complementary stones (round, princess, or other shapes) in a three stone setting is another popular setting for this popular diamond cut.

Protective settings to safeguard sharp corners (bezel, prong): The pointed corners of princess cuts need special attention. When the prongs sit directly on the corners, four-prong settings work well for both security and clean lines. Additional protection is offered by six-prong settings, but in such a setting, more of the diamond is obscured. Princess cuts are completely encircled by their metal bezel settings, which provide the most protection while lending a sleek, modern look that highlights the stone's geometric nature.

Metal options: Which complements princess cuts best? The princess cut is enhanced by platinum and white gold, which also allows maximum light reflection. The diamond's white brilliance is made to stand out against the yellow gold, which provides a warm element to the entire design. The princess cut's sharp angles are softened by a romantic, vintage-inspired look of rose gold, which also maintains its modern sophistication.

Are Princess Cut Diamonds Cheaper than Other Cuts?

When people ask what the princess cut diamond's cost advantage is, they're often pleased to discover that it offers significant savings compared to round-shaped diamonds. Round diamonds are 20-30% more expensive than princess cuts, but princess cuts can be a good option for a budget-conscious couple who wants brilliance and beauty without the high price tag.

Princess cuts decrease waste and improve value by cutting as little of the raw diamond as feasible. Round diamonds are more wasteful when it comes to the actual shaping of the diamond, using more of the rough diamond, which means less diamond for the consumer.

But princess cuts are not always the cheapest diamond shape. Assuming current market conditions and availability, emerald cuts, Asscher cuts, and other fancy shapes may provide even more value. The key advantage of princess cuts is, they give you great brilliance and fire at a lower price point than round-shaped diamonds.

Keep in mind that the overall cost of an engagement ring is dependent on the four Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat weight). While a high-quality princess cut will still be priced at a premium, you'll tend to pay less than you would for a round diamond of the same specs.

How to Buy a Princess Cut Engagement Ring

Understanding what princess cut diamond excellence requires mastering the art of evaluating quality while staying within your budget. Smart shoppers concentrate on the things that really make a difference in the diamond's beauty and value, so they know they are getting the most beautiful ring they can for their money.

Factors to consider: 4Cs (cut, clarity, color, carat)

The four Cs work together to decide how the diamond will rate in terms of quality and price. Brilliance and fire are affected by cut quality, and clarity is determined by how many inclusions or blemishes are visible. The color is colorless to yellow, and higher grades sell for premium prices. Carat weight is important because it directly affects size and cost, but a well-cut smaller diamond will look brighter than a poorly cut larger stone.

Why does cut quality matter the most for brilliance?

For princess cuts, it’s all about cut quality, as this is what directs the way light travels through the diamond. Princess cuts have excellent cut grades, which means they return light well, making for the beautiful glitter that princess cuts are so famous for. A poor cut quality will lead to light leakage, which will make your diamond look dull, no matter what other attributes it might have.

Tips for finding a balance between quality and budget

First, prioritize cut quality, then adjust other factors to your budget. Since inclusions are harder to see in princess cuts because of their faceting pattern, consider VS2 clarity rather than VVS1. If you want to spend a bit less money, choose near colorless grades (G-H) rather than colorless (D-F), and you won't see much difference visually. Finally, think about weights slightly below popular carat milestones (for huge discounts, say, 0.90ct instead of 1.00ct).

Caring for Your Princess Cut Engagement Ring

Understanding the maintenance needs of a princess cut ring helps ensure your precious investment maintains its beauty and brilliance for generations. Because of their pointed corners and special faceting pattern, princess cuts need special care, but with the right care, they'll continue to sparkle beautifully for your lifetime.

Cleaning and maintenance tips

Every week, use warm water, a gentle toothbrush, and soap to clean your ring of any dirt. Clear away any dirt and oil buildup around the diamond and below it. Harsh chemicals such as bleach or chlorine can harm both the metal and possibly the diamond. Ultrasonic cleaners are good for deeper cleaning, but check with your jeweler first to make sure your specific setting can handle the vibrations.

How to avoid chipping and protect the diamond

Because of their pointed corners, princess cuts are more likely to chip than rounded shapes. Take off your ring when doing things like gardening, sports, and heavy lifting. Separate your ring from other jewelry to avoid scratching, and preferably store your ring in a soft pouch or individual compartment. When putting on clothing or reaching into bags, pay attention to the corners that can catch on fabric or hard surfaces.

Professional inspections and repairs

Have professional inspections every six months to see if the prong security and ring condition are holding up. Jewelers can see if a setting is loose before a diamond falls out and tell when it’s time to take a setting in for repair. Trained experts examine the mounting for potential problems that everyday wear might create, and professional cleaning services restore your ring's original brilliance.

Princess Cut Diamonds in Modern Engagement Ring Trends

Today’s brides are finding new, creative ways to show off princess cuts in modern ring designs that express their own style.

How the princess cut is being incorporated into contemporary designs

Asymmetrical settings, geometric band patterns, and unique prong arrangements accentuate the princess cut's angular beauty and are being tried by modern designers. Tension settings provide an ultra-modern look that makes the diamond appear to be suspended in mid-air, split shank designs are visually interesting and direct attention to the center stone. Combined in stacked ring combinations, princess cut bands can be matched up with bands that go perfectly with the clean lines of the princess cut.

Popular trends: mixed metals, vintage-inspired settings

Rose gold, white gold, and platinum are used in mixed metal designs to create an eye-catching contrast that adds to the princess cut's versatility. Milgrain detailing and filigree work soften the geometric edges, but keep the modern stone appeal, in vintage-inspired settings. Geometric patterns are a hallmark of Art Deco influences and perfectly complement princess cuts, creating cohesive designs that are both nostalgic and fresh.

Why it's a timeless choice for brides

There is a gap between the traditional and contemporary, and princess cuts bridge this gap perfectly, making them perfect for brides who want something different but that will last. With their outstanding brilliance, they surpass round diamonds whilst offering an aesthetic that is different from the norm. Its versatility makes it compatible with different personal styles, from minimalist to ornate, so that the ring will stay relevant to the changing fashion trends.

Conclusion

Your engagement ring should have the perfect mix of modern sophistication and timeless elegance, which is exactly what princess cut diamonds provide. Because of their outstanding brilliance, a wide range of styling options, and attractive price compared to round diamonds, they make a fantastic choice for couples looking for something unique yet enduring. If you understand the cut's unique characteristics, select the right setting, and follow good care guidelines, you will have a stunning ring that will sparkle brilliantly for a lifetime. Having your princess cut an engagement ring will allow you to remember your love story for a lifetime.

Searching for a perfect symbol that represents your relationship? See CaratBee’s selection of princess cut engagement rings, which mixes modern style with old-world charm. Thanks to its superior brilliance, wide variety of designs, and great value, designing a ring that represents your story is now easier. Buy your perfect jewelry now and begin your forever at CaratBee.