A Complete Guide to Princess Cut Engagement Rings

Beyond the classic round brilliant, the princess cut reigns supreme as a symbol of contemporary elegance. This guide will unravel the secrets behind its captivating sparkle and guide you through the essential factors to consider when selecting a princess cut diamond. From understanding the 4Cs (cut, color, clarity, and carat) to exploring different setting styles, we'll ensure you embark on your engagement ring journey with confidence and excitement.

This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about princess cut diamonds, from their unique features to how to choose the perfect one for your special day.

What Is a Princess Cut Diamond?

The princess cut diamond is a favorite for engagement rings, right behind the classic round brilliant. So, what makes this square so special? Unlike the round brilliant, which is all about maximum sparkle in a circular shape, the princess cut has a sleek, square design with sharp corners. It’s modern, a little edgy, and still delivers that wow-worthy sparkle we all love.

From the top, it has a square or rectangular shape with sharp, clean corners, and when you look at it from the side, it looks like an upside-down pyramid with four slanted sides.

This cut is called a "square modified brilliant" because of its faceting style that amps up its sparkle and fire. The princess cut was created back in the 1960s and has become super popular for engagement rings second only to the classic round brilliant cut.

One great thing about princess cut diamonds is that they keep more of the original diamond during the cutting process, which often makes them more affordable per carat than round brilliant diamonds. That said, their sharp corners can be a bit more delicate and prone to chipping, so it’s a good idea to go for a protective setting to keep them safe and durable.

Features of a Princess Cut Diamond

The princess cut diamond is a favorite when it comes to engagement rings, and it’s easy to see why! With its sparkle and sleek, modern vibe, it’s a real showstopper. But what makes this cut so special? Let’s break it down.

Shape and Facets

You can spot a princess cut diamond easily thanks to its square or rectangular shape, which sets it apart from the round style. Its sharp edges and clean lines give it a modern, trendy vibe. 

Flip it over, and you'll see tons of tiny surfaces, called facets which are between 50 and 58. These are designed to catch the light just right, creating that gorgeous sparkle we all love. Plus, the colorful flashes, known as "fire," make it even more stunning.

Brilliance and Fire

Princess cut diamonds are known as "brilliant cuts" because they’re designed to shine like crazy. With their square shape and unique cut, they sparkle beautifully. 

Sure, round diamonds are super popular for their sparkle, but princess cuts bring the same brilliance with a modern, square twist. If you’re looking for a stylish and eye-catching diamond, they’re a perfect pick!

Cutting Style and Proportions

The princess cut is a popular diamond shape that’s basically a square version of the round brilliant cut. It’s known for its sparkle, thanks to the “chevron” pattern of angled cuts on the bottom part, called the pavilion. 

For the best look, most people go for a length-to-width ratio close to 1:1, which gives you that perfect square shape. But if you’re into something a little different, a slightly rectangular princess cut can be just as stunning. The key is to choose a diamond with good proportions so it shines beautifully.

Corners and Durability

Princess cut diamonds have sharp corners that give them a unique look, but these corners can chip more easily than rounded ones. To keep them safe, choose a setting that protects the corners, like a bezel setting or prongs designed for protection. With the right setting and care, a princess cut diamond can be a beautiful and strong choice for an engagement ring.

How Many Facets Does a Princess Cut Diamond Have?

Most princess cut diamonds have 58 facets (flat surfaces), like a round brilliant diamond. Some can have up to 76 facets by adding extra ones to the bottom part, called the pavilion. These extra facets, called "French facets," can make the diamond shine even more.

Faceting and Brilliance: Why It Sparkles So Brightly

The way a diamond’s facets are arranged plays a big role in how it sparkles. Light enters through the flat top (called the table), bounces around inside, and reflects back out through the table to your eye. That’s what gives the diamond its shine, those rainbow colors (called fire), and its sparkle (known as scintillation). The princess cut, with its sharp corners and angled facets, has its own unique sparkle that’s both bright and elegant.

Ideal Proportions and Depth for a Princess Cut

The shape of a princess cut diamond has a big impact on how much it sparkles. To get that brilliant shine, look for one with a depth between 68% and 75% and a table size between 60% and 75%. These numbers might sound technical, but they’re what help the diamond reflect light perfectly. If it’s too deep or too shallow, the light can leak out, and the diamond won’t sparkle as much it might even look a bit dull.

The Importance of Symmetry and Cut Quality

The facets need to be perfectly aligned to reflect light evenly, giving the diamond that bright, beautiful sparkle. A well-cut princess diamond will shine across its surface without any dark or dull spots. The GIA (Gemological Institute of America) grades diamond cuts from Excellent to Poor, so for the best sparkle, stick with an Excellent or Very Good grade. The careful cutting process, with a focus on balance and symmetry, is what makes a princess cut diamond so dazzling and full of life!

Choosing the Right Setting for a Princess Cut Ring

The setting of a princess cut engagement ring is just as important as the diamond. It decides the ring's style and keeps the diamond safe. Princess cuts have sharp corners, so they need settings that look good and protect the stone. Here are some popular options:

Popular Settings

• Solitaire: A princess cut diamond on a simple band classic, timeless, and all about showing off that sparkle. 
• Halo: Smaller diamonds around the center stone give it extra shine and make it look bigger. Perfect for the square shape of a princess cut. 
• Three Stone: One big princess cut diamond with two smaller ones on the side symbolizing your past, present, and future together.

Protective Settings

Due to their pointed corners, princess cuts are more prone to chipping. Therefore, choosing a protective setting is essential:

• Bezel: A bezel setting surrounds the diamond with a metal rim, keeping it safe and secure. It also gives a modern and stylish look. 
• Prong: Prong settings use metal claws to hold the diamond. They don’t protect the diamond as much as a bezel but let more light shine through, making the diamond sparkle more. Look for V shaped prongs to protect the sharp corners of princess cut diamonds.

Metal Options

The metal you pick for your ring changes how it looks and lasts: 

• Platinum: Strong, doesn’t cause allergies, and stays bright white. Perfect for a princess cut diamond. 
• White Gold: Cheaper than platinum and looks similar, but needs a new coating every few years to stay shiny. 
• Yellow Gold: A classic choice with a warm look that goes well with the sharp edges of a princess cut.
• Rose Gold: Romantic and trendy, with a soft pink hue that complements the clean lines of a princess cut diamond beautifully.

Are Princess Cut Diamonds Cheaper Than Other Cuts?

A lot of people wonder about the cost of princess cut engagement rings. Are these square-shaped diamonds cheaper than other shapes? Well, it’s not a straightforward yes or no. While princess cuts can be a great deal, they’re not always the cheapest option. Let’s break it down.

Princess cut diamonds are often seen as more affordable because of how they’re made. Round diamonds lose a lot of the stone during cutting to get that signature sparkle, but princess cuts save more of the diamond. Less waste means a lower cost per carat, making them a more efficient and budget-friendly choice.

But diamond prices aren’t just about shape or size. The 4Cs – Carat, Cut, Color, and Clarity – play a huge role in pricing. For example, a bigger princess cut diamond with better color and clarity will always be more expensive than a smaller one with lower quality. This applies to all diamond shapes, whether it’s round, oval, or princess.

The "Cut" grade is super important for princess cuts. Unlike round diamonds, which have ideal proportions for sparkle, princess cuts have more wiggle room in their shape. A poorly cut princess diamond might save more of the original stone but won’t sparkle as much, making it less appealing (and often cheaper). On the other side, a well-cut princess diamond with great faceting will shine beautifully and cost more.

So, are princess cut diamonds cheaper? Sometimes yes, sometimes no it all depends on the quality and what you’re looking for. Either way, they’re a stunning and stylish choice!

How to Buy a Princess Cut Engagement Ring

When it comes to choosing a princess cut engagement ring, several factors come into play to ensure you find the perfect piece. The 4Cs are the key criteria you should consider.

1. Factors to Consider: 4Cs (Cut, Clarity, Color, Carat)

• Cut: The cut is super important, especially for princess cuts, because it makes the diamond sparkle. A good cut will make the diamond look amazing. 
• Clarity: Clarity is about how clear the diamond is, without marks or spots. Higher clarity means fewer flaws, but you can save money by choosing a diamond with tiny imperfections you can’t really see. 
• Color: Diamonds are graded from D (no color) to Z (yellowish). For princess cuts, color matters a lot colorless or nearly colorless ones look the best. 
• Carat: Carat is the weight of the diamond. Bigger diamonds cost more, but it’s important to balance size with the other factors to fit your budget.

2. Why Cut Quality Matters

The way a diamond is cut is the most important factor for its sparkle. A well-cut princess diamond shines brightly and looks stunning. Poorly cut diamonds, even if they are big or clear, can look dull.

3. Balancing Quality and Budget:

• Set Priorities: Decide which of the 4Cs matters most to you. For example, if you want the diamond to sparkle more, focus on getting a good cut. 
• Smart Trade-Offs: You can pick a diamond with slightly lower clarity or color to get a bigger size that fits your budget. Small flaws and color differences are hard to see. 
• Get Certification: Always buy diamonds with a certificate from trusted groups like GIA or IGI to make sure it's genuine.

Caring for Your Princess Cut Engagement Ring

A princess cut diamond, with its square shape and sparkle, is a beautiful choice for an engagement ring. But its sharp corners need special care to stay safe and look their best. Here’s how to keep your princess cut diamond shining for years to come.

Cleaning and Maintenance:

It's important to clean your ring regularly. Soak it in warm water with a little dish soap, then gently scrub it with a soft brush, like a baby toothbrush, to get rid of dirt. Avoid strong chemicals, as they can harm the diamond or the ring. For a deeper clean, you can use a jewelry cleaner.

Protecting Your Diamond:

The sharp corners of a princess cut can chip more easily than rounded cuts. To keep your ring safe: 

• Use a strong setting: Bezel or V prong settings protect the corners best. 
• Be careful daily: Take off your ring during activities like sports or heavy lifting. 
• Store it properly: Keep your ring in a soft jewelry box or pouch, away from other jewelry, to avoid scratches.

Professional Care:

Getting your ring checked by a jeweler once a year is always a smart move. They’ll check for loose parts, any damage, and even give it a nice deep clean. Plus, they can take care of small fixes like tightening loose prongs or repairing little chips before they turn into bigger issues. It’s an easy way to keep your ring looking amazing and shining bright for years to come because your princess cut deserves it!

Princess Cut Diamonds in Modern Engagement Ring Trends

The princess cut diamond is a favorite when it comes to engagement rings and it’s easy to see why! With its sharp edges and sparkle, it’s a timeless choice that still feels modern and fresh. It’s also incredibly versatile, fitting beautifully into all kinds of ring designs.

Lately, we’re seeing lots of creative ways to feature the princess cut in engagement rings. Think mixed metals pairing platinum or white gold with yellow or rose gold for a bold, unique look. Or vintage-inspired settings with milgrain details and intricate filigree work that add a romantic, old-world charm. Halo accents and side stones are also super popular right now, giving the center diamond even more brilliance.

What makes the princess cut so special is its perfect mix of classic and contemporary. The square shape gives it a modern edge, while its sparkle rivals the always-popular round diamond. Whether you’re into sleek, minimalist styles or more detailed, ornate designs, the princess cut is a stunning way to showcase your love and personal style. No wonder it’s still such a go-to choice for brides everywhere!

Conclusion

Picking a princess cut engagement ring isn’t just about the shape—it’s about finding a symbol of love that feels totally you. With its stunning sparkle and versatility, the princess cut is a classic choice for couples everywhere. 

When you’re shopping, focus on quality, choose a setting that matches your style, and take care of it to keep that sparkle for years to come. The perfect ring is out there, and we hope this guide helps you find it!