Princess Cut Engagement Rings – A Must Read Before Purchase

Classic Petite Diamond Engagement Ring

Are you thinking of buying a princess cut engagement ring? When buying any diamond, you will want to do your research in advance so you know what you’re getting. Every diamond is unique, and every diamond shape has unique elements. When buying a princess cut diamond, there are some specific things you need to consider. We’ve put together all the important information you need to know when buying a princess diamond, from the cut’s features, history, and advantages, to everything you need to consider when you are buying one. Check out our guide below for everything you need to know about princess cut engagement rings.

Description of Princess Cut Diamonds

Petite Diamond Split Shank Engagement Ring

So, what does a princess cut look like? From the top, a princess cut diamond resembles a square or sometimes a rectangle. From the side, a princess cut looks like an inverted pyramid.

Princess cuts are unique in that they can have a range of different facets. Most commonly, princess cut diamonds have 58 facets (the same as the most popular diamond cut, the round brilliant) but this can vary. Changing the number of facets on a princess cut creates different scintillation effects, creating the possibility of many unique kinds of shine.

History of Princess Cut Diamonds

Double Row Pavé Hidden Halo Engagement Ring

Princess diamonds have a classic look but are actually a relatively new shape. The princess cut was created in the 1960s when it was called the Barion cut. This shape became more strongly associated with the name “princess” in the 1980s and the practice of calling it a Barion cut became obsolete.   

Today, princess cut diamonds are the most popular fancy shape of diamonds, accounting for about 30% of all diamonds sold today.

Advantages of Princess Cut Diamonds

So, why should you choose a princess cut diamond? Well, most importantly you should choose a princess cut diamond if the style of the cut appeals to you. But there are other advantages of the cut that make it appealing. One is that princess cuts appear slightly larger than round cut diamonds of similar carats. This is because of the slightly larger surface area on the top of the diamond. Another advantage is that princess cut diamonds are a better value per carat. Generally, princess cut diamonds are a better price than round cuts because this cut allows the person crafting the diamond to use more of the raw diamond it is being cut from, thus saving the artisan money, and lowering the price for the consumer.

Another big advantage of princess cut diamonds is that they work with almost any setting. Other fancy cut diamonds, like oval or emerald cuts, need specialized settings to keep the diamond safely in place. But princess cuts are similar enough to the most popular cut, the round brilliant, to usually work with the same settings. Princess cuts are also popular enough on their own that many settings are made specifically for the cut.

What To Look For When Buying A Princess Cut Diamond

Vintage Diamond Milgrain Engraved Engagement Ring

So what should you look out for when buying a princess cut diamond? Like all diamonds, you need to consider the grading of its 4Cs and decide what is most important to you in the grading of the diamond. But with princess cut diamonds, in particular, the cut is extremely important. A poor cut drastically reduces the light and brilliance of a princess cut diamond.

Hallmarks of poorly cut princess diamonds are pavilion bulges (a bulge on the side of the diamond caused by too steep of a slope) and a table percentage that is greater than the depth percentage. These reduce the beauty of the diamond and are to be avoided. You can see this information on a diamond’s GIA report, as well as the official grade of the cut. For princess cut diamonds, you’ll want to choose a diamond with an “excellent” or “very good” cut grading.

You should also note whether or not the diamond is a square or slightly rectangular. To be considered square, the cut must have no greater of a ratio than 1:05 to 1. Note this about the diamond you are considering and decide whether or not you prefer a totally square diamond over a slightly rectangular one.

The last thing to consider when buying a princess cut diamond for an engagement ring is the setting it will be paired with. Princess cut diamonds have vulnerable corners on the top of the diamond and must always be protected by the setting. You can see in the Lilac setting above that the four prongs of the setting surround these fragile corners. You should also consider whether or not the setting style you are thinking of goes well with a princess cut diamond. After all, the most important thing about the engagement ring you will buy is whether or not you love it. Make sure that a princess cut diamond will pair well with the setting you love so that you will be happy with your ring.

Is a princess cut engagement ring right for you? Check out our selection of beautiful princess cut engagement rings and find a ring you’ll treasure.