Princess Cut Diamond Guide

Princess
cut diamond is the second most popular diamond shape in the world. This diamond
shape is not only used to make the princess cut engagement ring, but it is also
used to design a variety of necklaces, bracelets, and earrings. In this blog,
we provide comprehensive information on princess cut diamonds.

What is a princess cut diamond?

The princess cut diamond has a
square or rectangular shape from the top view. The GIA introduced this shape as
a “square modified brilliant” because it has many facets that act as
mirrors and can bring an extraordinary sparkle to the princess diamond cut. The
princess cut engagement ring is the world’s second popular diamond shape for diamond
engagement rings.

GIA does not assign the cut grade of
princess cut diamonds. However, you should know the basic information about
princess cut if you are willing to buy a princess cut engagement rings. In this
blog, we will provide you detailed information about the princess cut diamond to
help you make your decision easier.

Princess cut diamond anatomy

The princess cut diamond is seen in
a square or rectangular shape from the top, and it has a pyramid shape from the
bottom. The sharp corners of the princess cut diamond are well known. Special
attention should be paid to the design of the princess cut diamond ring because
otherwise these pointed corners are always exposed to harm and friction.

Although the Gemological Institute
of America (GIA) does not assign the cut grade of princess cut diamonds, you
should know some information about the cut quality. Some of these needed pieces
of information are the percentage of the excellent table facet in a princess
cut diamond which is between 75 to 66%. The excellent percentage for the depth
of the princess cut diamond is also 75 to 66%. The ideal length to width ratio
of a rectangular princess cut is between 1.07 to 1.15, and the ideal length to
width ratio in the square princess diamond is 1.0 to 1.04.

Although the GIA does not guarantee
the princess diamond cut, it is advisable to read the following article while
consulting a reputable jeweler. This article provides detailed information
on
diamond cutting that
can help you in diamond grading.

How many facets are on a
princess-cut diamond?

The
princess cut can have from 50 to 144 facets. As you know, the facets in
different diamond shapes act like mirrors that enhance the reflection of light.
The higher the number of facets, the more diamond shines and sparkles.

The number of facets of a princess
diamond depends on the usage of the diamond and the skill of the person who cut
the diamond. Generally, diamonds with more facets are used as a central diamond
in the princess cut engagement ring (for example, a diamond with 76 or more
facets). But if a diamond is used as a side stone on the diamond ring’s band,
then you can choose diamonds with less luminosity and sparkle (for example,
with 50 facets).

Keep in mind that the only
determinant of diamond sparkle is not the number of diamond facets. Other
factors such as shape, heart and arrow pattern, cut, etc. are also effective in
the diamond sparkle. The following link gives you a detailed overview of the
choice of
How to choose a sparkly diamond.

Pros and Cons of Princess-Cut Diamonds

Now let us consider the pros and cons of princess cut
diamonds. We compare princess cut diamonds with round diamonds to make it more
clear to you.

Price

Princess cut diamonds are with no doubt less expensive than
round diamonds. This is related to their octahedral shape and the process of
cutting the rough. While cutting a princess cut diamond, the rough waste is
much less than round diamonds. Round-cut diamonds waste more rough, so they
cost more than princess cuts. According to this, a 1 ct G color, VS2 clarity,
ideal cut princess cut diamond cost 30% less than a round diamond with the same
cut, clarity and color.

More information about the clarity and color of the diamond is available in this blog.

Sparkle

Although princess cut diamonds can show exceptional brilliance
and shine, they cannot be better than a round diamond. An ideal cut round
diamond has more sparkle of any fancy shaped diamond like princess cut.

Size

If you compare a princess and round diamond with the same
carat weight, you’ll realize that the round diamond will have a slightly larger
face-up surface area. However, princess cuts can seem to be larger, because
they have large diagonal measurements.
Therefore, you will still be able to buy a larger princess
cut than a round cut while staying in your engagement ring budget.

Durability

Since princess-cut diamond have sharp corners, they’re
likely to be damaged. The solution is that theor corners should always be
protected with prongs in order to reduce the risk of damage to the stone. Round
diamonds on the other hand do not have any weak point to cause damage to the
stone.

What wedding ring goes with a
princess cut engagement ring?

It depends on the Princess cut
engagement ring’s design and the customer’s taste. Luckily we can make
different beautiful and unique princess diamond engagement rings with different
designs and settings. For example, if you have chosen a vintage design for a
diamond engagement ring with a princess cut diamond, the wedding band also can
have the main elements of the engagement ring.

If you have chosen a colored diamond
for the engagement ring, you can also decorate the wedding band with smaller
colored diamonds. You can use a curved or simple wedding band, based on the
engagement ring design. But I strongly recommend that you get help from a
designer or a jewelry company to make your engagement ring and wedding band. In
this case, the designer can match your engagement ring and wedding ring
perfectly.

Princess cut engagement ring

The princess cut engagement ring is
one of the most popular choices among young couples. It is estimated that
between 10% to 30% of engagement rings sold annually have a princess cut. The
princess cut is both modern and elegant and has the features of the classic
traditional diamonds. In other words, the princess diamond shape is as sparkly
as a round shape and fortunately, it is less expensive.

As you know diamonds are the most
suitable gemstone for an engagement ring because of their unique brilliance, durability,
and hardness compared to all kinds of gems. (If you are interested, read about the reasons for this selection here:
The
Best Colored Gemstones
)

As the princess cut is available to
buyers in a wide range of sizes, it is a good choice for the engagement diamond
rings based on any budget. The princess cut can be fit in different types of
engagement ring sets. The princess cut is beautiful both as a single central
diamond and as a set of several stones on the engagement ring. Some designers
even use the princess cut along with other shapes on a diamond ring.