The princess cut is the second most popular diamond shape after the round brilliant. Introduced in the 1960s and refined through the 1980s, it features a square or nearly-square outline with brilliant-style faceting that delivers exceptional sparkle in a modern geometric package.
What Makes Princess Cuts Special
Princess cuts offer the brilliant sparkle that people love about round diamonds, but in a contemporary square shape. With 57 to 76 facets (depending on the specific cutting style), princess diamonds produce impressive light performance. They also retain more of the rough diamond during cutting (about 60-80 percent vs 40 percent for rounds), which is one reason they are typically 20 to 30 percent less expensive per carat than round brilliants.
Ideal Proportions
| Parameter | Ideal Range |
|---|
| Length-to-Width Ratio | 1.00 – 1.05 (square) |
| Table % | 67% – 72% |
| Depth % | 65% – 75% |
Important Considerations
Protect the corners: Princess cut diamonds have four sharp corners that are vulnerable to chipping. Always set a princess cut in a setting with V-tip prongs or a bezel that protects all four corners. Avoid settings that leave corners exposed.
Color visibility: Princess cuts can show slight color tinting in the corners. If color is important, consider staying at H color or higher for the best face-up appearance.
Clarity: The brilliant faceting pattern hides inclusions well. SI1 clarity is often an excellent sweet spot for princess cuts, as inclusions are difficult to see without magnification.