Diamonds Boca Raton - September 23, 2022

Princess Cut Diamonds 101

WHAT IS A PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND?

A princess cut diamond is traditionally a square diamond that offers excellent fire and brilliance. When turned upside down they resemble pyramids, and their four sharp corners offer a subtle edge to the femininity of their sparkle.

WHAT IS THE ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF PRINCESS CUT DIAMONDS?

Many believe the history of the princess cut dates back to the 1970s when a new shape, the Barion Cut, was introduced by Basil Watermeyer. This particular cut was actually more a combination of the emerald cut and the marquise cut. Princess diamonds actually date back to 1961 when a diamond cutter who was based in London, Arpad Nagy, created what was known then as a profile cut. That same cut is now known as the princess cut. After a few years, Betzalel Ambar, Ygal Perlman, and Israel Itzkowitz popularized the new name, which is why we all known them now as “princess cut".

WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN BUYING A PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND

Considering Length to Width Ratio

Princess cuts can be either square or rectangular. The ideal ratio, from length to width, of a square princess cut is 1.00 to 1.04. The ideal ratio of a rectangular princess cut is 1.07 to 1.15.

Considering Diamond Quality

Turn to the 4C's of diamond quality when shopping for a princess cut diamond.

PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND & THE 4C'S

Princess Cut Diamond: Cut

Cut is especially important as it impacts the brilliance, or sparkle, of your stone. A less well cut diamond will appear more dull, while excellent cut diamonds should retain their dazzling beauty. For that reason, you should look for a stone with an excellent cut, polish, and symmetry.

Princess Cut Diamond: Color

When it comes to color, you need to be a little more careful with a princess cut diamond than you would with a round brilliant. Since both are brilliant cuts, they both succeed in chopping up the light so the true color of the rough material is harder to perceive. But since the light return on the round brilliant is superior, it is also better at keeping the true color of your diamond a secret. Because of this, we recommend when buying a princess cut diamond that you either pick an G color diamond for the best value.

Princess Cut Diamond: Clarity

In general, a princess cut diamond ring will disguise minor inclusions fairly well. However, be on the lookout for any inclusions around the four corners. Princess cut diamonds have four, sharply pointed corners that are prone to chipping, and even more so when there’s an inclusion in this area.

Princess Cut Diamond: Carat Weight

Keep in mind, though, that princess cuts carry more of their weight in their center or belly. That means they're deeper stones than round brilliants and will look smaller at the same carat weight. That's because their weight, instead of spreading to their sides like the round, spreads downward.

Choice of carat weight is largely down to budget and preference. If your budget allows, you will generally look at diamonds of a larger carat weight. And if size is a priority, you may wish to allocate more of your budget towards carat than to other areas, like color and clarity.

It’s advisable not to sell out completely to get the largest princess diamond possible, however. Ensure you leave enough of your budget to get a well-cut diamond, and one with decent grades in color and clarity. A large diamond is not going to look that impressive if it’s poorly cut, or contains a lot of inclusions.

BEST PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND RING SETTINGS

Because princess cuts are quite versatile, there are several stunning setting options. Remember, a princess cut diamond has pointed edges so it's important to ensure the corners don’t get chipped or damaged. A channel set or four-prong will offer protection without masking the diamond’s beauty.

white gold solitaire princess cut diamond engagement ring

SOLITAIRE SETTING FOR PRINCESS CUT DIAMOND

Princess cuts steal the show with a classic solitaire setting. Known for their simplicity, solitaires are accent-less bands that are available in all of your favorite gold such as white, yellow, and rose gold. This setting will draw attention to a princess cut and can create the illusion of a larger carat weight.