Buying Princess Cut Engagement Rings
Choosing an engagement ring involves more than picking out a sparkling ring – it’s a choice that will remain on a woman’s finger to be cherished and gazed fondly upon forever. She will want something that not only sparkles and catches her eye, but something that reminds her of the moment it was slipped on her finger and the man of her dreams that pledged his life to her.
Engagement rings should not only represent the love a couple share but also her unique individuality – which is one reason you might be considering buying a princess cut engagement ring – they are a modern cut that breaks away from the more traditional engagement ring choices.
Beyond the princess cut and most popular round cut diamonds there are a variety of styles of engagement rings and cuts that should be considered before making a final decision. Learning a little about princess cut diamonds can help a couple determine if this is the right choice to forever represent the love and commitment that they share. Many will find that this relatively new cut offers a brilliant sparkle and beautiful style that is often only found in the most expensive of diamond engagement rings.
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About Princess Cut Diamonds
How did the princess cut get its name?
The name princess cut was first used in the 1960s, to describe a different diamond cut that is known today as the profile cut. A diamond cutter named Arpad Nagy created the profile or princess cut/shape. However, the true princess cut diamond that is popular today was coined in the 1970s by Betzalel Ambar, Ygal Perlman, and Israel Itzkowitz.
How do princess cut diamonds look like?
Princess cut diamonds feature an inverted pyramid profile with a square face and four beveled sides, a cut that allows for brilliant sparkle because of the many facets. Learn more about princess cut diamonds.
Most distinctive feature of princess shape diamonds
One of the distinguishing features of the princess cut diamond is its sparkle. While the round brilliant cut diamond in a prong setting will provide the most sparkle, the princess cut refracts a much larger amount of light than a baguette cut, radiant cut, or even emerald cut diamond.
Size ratio of a princess shape gemstone
A princess cut diamond may vary in shape from square to rectangle, with a ratio based on length to width. For instance a princess cut diamond with a ratio of 1.0 will be square and one with a ratio of 1.2 will be more rectangular. The ratio determines how the diamond will look from above.
How many facets does a princess shape have?
But here's something good to know when you're buying a princess cut engagement ring: Princess cut diamonds feature 57 or 76 facets, cut similar to the round diamond to create brilliant sparkle, but with much less waste. (That means, all of the 4Cs held the same, a princess diamond will be cheaper than a round at the same carat weight.)
The brilliance of a princess cut diamond sometimes hides inclusions which can make it a more affordable option for budget-conscious buyers. As with any diamond, customers should consider the 4 Cs – cut, color, clarity, and carat weight. These factors will play an important role in the final price of a diamond engagement ring, regardless of the shape.
Popularity and trends with princess cut diamond engagement rings
Princess cut rings have been gaining in popularity so much so that they are now considered the second most popular style after the round brilliant cut ring. While the round cut remains a popular choice, as more brides wish to break away from the traditional options they are being drawn to the beauty and uniqueness of the princess cut. One of the reasons that princess cut diamonds are a popular choice is that they appear larger from the side view, despite being somewhat smaller in diameter than round diamonds.
Princess cut diamonds are a popular choice with brides because of:
- 1. Brilliance and versatility in design. They are also considered to be a more modern shape which can be an attractive choice for brides that prefer a more modern style. This chic square design can be incorporated into a variety of settings and styles which gives brides a lot of choice in a ring that they will cherish for the rest of their lives.
- 2. Elegance and maximum sparkle. As we mentioned, princess cut diamonds are popular for jewelry, but we think they really shine in engagement ring settings. The daring corners of this shape make the stone perfect for an elegant princess cut solitaire ring.
- 3. Less rough diamond wastage. Princess cuts use a lot of the rough diamond (about 60% - 70%), so very little of the rough material is wasted.
- 4. Cheaper than round-cut shapes. Round brilliant-cut diamonds account for three-quarters of the market and is the most common in shape for engagement rings today. Therefore, with less rough wastage during cutting and less demand, princess cuts would be between 25% and 40% less than round-cut diamonds.
More About Sizing and Pricing
Princess cut diamonds are usually a little less expensive than round diamonds because of the way they are cut. There is more wastage when cutting a round diamond, which requires roughly 1 carat of a rough diamond to create a 0.40ct polished diamond. A princess cut diamond, by contrast, requires roughly 1 carat of a rough diamond to create a 0.80ct to 0.90ct polished diamond. This reduction in waste (or greater yield) means that it is less expensive to buy princess cut rings than round cut rings. Learn more about diamond pricing.
Those that choose to buy princess cut engagement rings are not likely to be disappointed by their brilliant sparkle and radiant beauty. Any engagement ring is a personal choice and should reflect the devotion and love a couple will pledge to each other.
FAQ's
What is a Princess cut diamond?
A princess diamond is a symmetrical square shaped diamond cut with brilliant facets. The square shape means that the diamond has corners and clean lines. Due to the way it is cut, a princess diamond has less surface area at the top of the diamond compared to other diamond shapes like radiant. If looking for a diamond that has steps cuts in a square shape, consider the asscher diamond.
Are princess diamonds on trend?
Princess diamonds used to be the second most popular shape behind round for diamond engagement rings. However, the princess diamond has now been surpassed in popularity by ovals and cushions. Princess diamonds are still timeless and are sure to surge in popularity in time. If you're looking for something polished and sophisticated, princess is a great shape to consider.
What to look for in a princess cut diamond?
As with all diamonds, cut, color and clarity come first in terms of determining quality. Beyond that, it's important to assess the measurements and proportions of the diamond to ensure that you are maximizing sparkle for her diamond ring. Work with a gemologist or see our ideal millimeter charts by carat ranges to see what you should be looking for.
Can a princess diamond break or chip?
Because princess diamonds have corners, they can be a little more delicate than other shapes that have rounded and smooth finishes. For this reason, it is very important to work with a jeweler who will take care to set the princess diamond in the right type of metal with the right type of prongs to ensure that it's well-protected and can withstand daily wear.
