What Is a Princess Cut Diamond? - Diamond Nexus (2024)

A simulated princess cut diamond ring is the second most popular cut for a diamond ring thanks to its sparkling nature, sharp, symmetrical shape, and affordability. It is a “fancy” shape, and with up to 76 facets that reflect and refract light, it is cut in a way that produces maximum brilliance and fire. What are brilliance and fire? Brilliance is a white light that is both internally and externally reflected from a diamond into your eye. Fire is the tiny flashes of color reflected back to the eye when the light bounces around the diamond, which appears like a rainbow of colors. The princess cut diamond reflects brilliance and fire, making it eye-catching from any angle.

What Is a Princess Cut Diamond? - Diamond Nexus (1)

The Shape

You (or your partner) may be wondering, “what does a princess cut diamond look like?” and understandably so. There are so many different diamond shapes; it can be tough to choose your favorite. While other diamond cuts are more obvious such as round or oval, “princess” is a bit more mysterious. While traditionally, princess cut diamonds look square, they can also be a rectangle. They are cut in a way to optimize sparkle and have sharp corners and symmetrical sides.

The History

Since the 1960s, innovative diamond cutters have created sharp square cuts, but it wasn’t until the 1980s when the princess cut got its name. Today, this square-ish stone, also called “square modified brilliant,” stands out amongst the crowd of other diamonds with rounded edges. It is one of the most popular engagement ring styles, second only to the round cut diamond.

The Setting

Princess cut diamonds work well in different types of engagement ring settings as long as their sharp corners are protected with sturdy prongs. A princess cut diamond ring can have a solitaire setting, which allows the stone to shine all on its own, a three-stone setting, or a halo setting, which will add even more sparkle to its already dramatic essence. Princess cut diamonds aren’t only for engagement rings, though. Princess cut diamond settings are a popular choice for earrings and pendant necklaces too.

How Princess Cut Diamonds Compare to Other Diamond Cuts

There are a number of shapes available for diamonds, 11 of which you can find at any common jeweler. With all of these cuts to choose from, each of which is beautiful in its own right, it can be difficult to decipher between them and know which is best. Here, we compare the princess cut diamond to similar diamond shapes and discuss their major differences.

Round vs. Princess Cut

When comparing a round vs princess cut diamond, the most noticeable difference is the shape. Round cut diamonds are, well, round and princess cut diamonds are most often square. Both stone styles can have a brilliant cut, which means they are cut in a way to provide the maximum light return through the top of the diamond and, therefore sparkle brilliantly.

Diamond cutters who cut stones into the princess shape can typically retain much more of the original stone. They can use 80-90% of the actual stone for a Princess cut, which makes the process much more economical than with other stones such as a round diamond cut, where they can typically only use 40-50% of the actual stone. This makes the princess cut diamond less wasteful, but also less expensive than a round cut of the same carat size.

Additionally, princess cut diamonds can appear bigger than their round counterparts of the same carat size because the table or top of the diamond is larger. The pavilion or bottom of the diamond is smaller in a princess cut than a round cut.

What Is a Princess Cut Diamond? - Diamond Nexus (2)

Cushion vs. Princess Cut

If you like the shape and sparkle of a princess cut diamond, you may also be considering a cushion cut engagement ring. When comparing a cushion cut vs princess cut engagement ring, the most noticeable difference is that the shape is softer, resembling a pillow cushion. While a princess cut diamond has sharp, clean corners, a cushion cut diamond has soft, rounded corners. The soft corners of the cushion cut diamond give it a more antique feel as opposed to the modern feel of the princess cut.

While similar in affordability, cushion cuts don’t hide flaws or inclusions as well as princess cuts and can appear smaller in size, which means you may have to pay more for a higher clarity stone and larger carat weight.

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Emerald vs. Princess Cut

The sharp square shape of a princess cut is most similar to that of an emerald cut and has the same striking, regal effect, but there are some major differences. For one, the princess diamond is cut with triangular facets to maximize brilliance and fire (that sparkle and shine that puts a twinkle in your eye) while the emerald diamond is cut with rectangular facets that create a “step” like appearance, which doesn’t give off near as much brilliance. Another key difference is that the corners of an emerald stone are clipped, which creates an edge, as opposed to the pointed corners on a princess cut.

Additionally, emerald cut diamonds will show rather than hide inclusions and reveal more color than princess cut diamonds as well. However, you may be able to afford a higher clarity and higher color grade to make up for this because emerald cut diamonds are typically more affordable.

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How To Know If A Princess Cut Diamond Is Right For You

After learning what is a princess cut diamond and comparing it to similar diamond cuts, you may be ready to select your stone. This is a big purchase, though, so there are a few important things to note when shopping for the right diamond. Before you hit “buy,” let’s discuss what to look for in order to find the perfect princess cut for you.

The 4Cs

With any diamond shape, it’s important to pay attention to the 4Cs of diamonds: color, clarity, carat weight, and cut. The 4Cs will largely affect the diamond’s price and brilliance and should be carefully considered when shopping for the right diamond for you. Here are the most important aspects to pay attention to when purchasing a princess cut diamond:

Color: The color of princess cut diamonds is rated on the GIA standard color chart, and while higher color grades are more expensive, a lower grade may appear more desirable to you. Lower color grades, such as H and I, will have warmer tones while higher color grades, such as D and F, will have cooler tones. The difference will be hardly noticeable, so pick the hue that you prefer.

Clarity: The princess cut has the capability to hide flaws or inclusions, which makes it possible to have a brilliant diamond without a high-quality grade. However, be wary of selecting a diamond with major inclusions in the corners of the princess cut as they can be more prone to chip or break. Minor inclusions in the corners of the diamond can be overlooked because they shouldn’t affect the stone’s stability and will be invisible once covered by prongs.

Carat Weight: Princess cut diamonds can appear larger in size than other diamond cuts of the same carat weight because more of their carat weight is at the diamond’s crown. Due to this, you can achieve the appearance of a larger stone without the larger price-tag.

Cut: While traditionally square, many princess cut diamonds are slightly or overtly rectangular. The more rectangular the cut, the lower in price the diamond. Even if you opt for a more rectangular shape, you can create the illusion of a squarer princess cut with side-set diamonds, which expand the ring’s width.

In addition to the symmetry of a princess cut diamond’s sides, it is important to pay attention to the size of its table (top) and its depth. As you shop, look for a table percentage under 75% and a depth percentage between 65% and 75%. These are general guidelines since there are no set standards for princess cut diamonds like there are for round brilliant cuts.

Personal Preference

A princess cut diamond makes a royal statement. If you want a timeless, chic, and radiant cut, a princess diamond could be perfect for you. It is also a great diamond if you are looking for a more affordable option than a round cut diamond, without sacrificing any brilliance or fire.

The princess diamond ring is clean, modern, and classic all at the same time and will work well with whatever setting you select, just remember to pick a setting that protects its precious four corners, such as a channel or four-prong setting. Opt for a solid gold band and solitaire setting to let the stone do all the talking, complement the stone’s symmetry with two side stones, or soften the sharp edges with a halo setting.

Browse our selection of princess cut diamond rings to find the style that speaks to you.

*Here at Diamond Nexus, we strive to provide valuable information while being clear and honest about our products. The Nexus Diamond™ alternative is a patented lab created diamond simulate that, among all simulants, most closely imitates the look, weight and wear of a diamond, with two exceptions – it is absolutely perfect in every way, and it costs significantly less. Price points and environmental facts expressed in this blog were taken from popular online retailers and may vary. Learn more about the environmental impact of mining by visiting our blog.

What Is a Princess Cut Diamond? - Diamond Nexus (2024)

FAQs

What Is a Princess Cut Diamond? - Diamond Nexus? ›

They are made in a lab.

Like other simulated lab grown diamonds, Nexus Diamond alternatives are created in a lab. This eliminates the environmental and human cost of mining diamonds. Just as they are pure in their look, they are pure in their creation.

Is a Nexus Diamond a real diamond? ›

They are made in a lab.

Like other simulated lab grown diamonds, Nexus Diamond alternatives are created in a lab. This eliminates the environmental and human cost of mining diamonds. Just as they are pure in their look, they are pure in their creation.

What's a Nexus Diamond? ›

The Nexus Diamond™ alternative is a patented lab grown stone that, among all simulants, most closely imitates the look, weight and wear of a mined diamond, with two exceptions – it is absolutely perfect in every way, and it costs significantly less.

Why not to buy a princess cut diamond? ›

Princess cuts can show exceptional brilliance. However, they still don't live up to the brilliance of round diamonds. No fancy cut can match their optimal light performance. So, while princess cuts can have great sparkle, they'll never sparkle better than an ideal round.

What is the other name for princess cut diamond? ›

The princess cut (technical name 'square modified brilliant') is a diamond cut shape often used in engagement rings.

Do lab grown diamonds fog up? ›

It should be kept in mind that lab-grown diamonds are the same as the naturally mine ones, both of them are “real”; as what the term suggests. They have the same chemical and physical properties. And hence just as the naturally grown diamonds don't get cloudy, neither will the lab-grown ones.

Can a jeweler tell a lab created diamond? ›

Professional jewelers and gemologists cannot tell the difference between a lab created diamond and a natural one just by looking at it with the naked eye. They will have to use a microscope to look for the tiny differences in its inclusions that indicate how it was formed.

Do Nexus diamonds get cloudy? ›

Clarity of the stone

The difference between the Nexus Diamond and cubic zirconia is that the Nexus Diamond has a proprietary blend of Corundum coating to make the stone harder and impervious to porosity—resulting in a stone that will retain its D Color (completely colorless) and IF clarity (internally flawless).

What is the price of Nexus Diamond black? ›

MRP : Rs. 12990/- | Special Offer Price for Delhi: Rs. 6,490/-

What is the best tier diamond? ›

Flawless (FL) diamonds are the top tier of the clarity grading scale. Truly flawless diamonds with no visible inclusions or blemishes at 10x magnification are extremely rare, and proportionally expensive.

What is the most prestigious diamond cut? ›

The most expensive diamond cut is the round brilliant because it wastes the highest amount of rough stone – around 60% on average – during the cutting process. This large quantity of discarded material means that consumers will pay for a larger stone than they end up with to help cover costs.

What color grade is best for princess cut diamond? ›

Color grade: For the best color in a princess diamond, go for a Colorless (D, E, F) or Near Colorless (G, H, I) grade. Clarity grade: Though princess diamonds are great at hiding inclusions, they can be prone to chipping if an inclusion is in one of the four sharp corners.

What band looks best on a princess cut diamond? ›

Gold bands are a classic choice due to their endless design versatility. Gold looks great for a princess, round, and oval shapes. Name a gemstone shape and gold likely provides the perfect marriage in style.

Why is princess cut more expensive? ›

Diamond cutters lose more of the rough diamond when they create square-shaped princess cuts, so these diamonds are more expensive than rectangular princess cuts.

What does a princess cut diamond say about you? ›

This stone shape is for the woman who is drawn to the excitement and a true romantic at heart because the princess stone shape is known to manifest beauty, style, and edge. Truly the "hopeless romantic" of all shapes, some refer to this shape as the square diamond.

What is the most sparkle cut of diamond? ›

Round Cut Diamonds Sparkle The Most

The standard round cut diamond comprises 57 facets (58 including one on the bezel). This cut heightens the diamond's sparkle and shine. Because round diamonds have the largest number of facets, they create the most sparkle.

What are the downsides of lab-grown diamonds? ›

Here's the Short Answer

Lab-created diamonds are chemically the same as natural, mined diamonds. They are more affordable, but their value likely will not hold up over time. They will also never have the same rarity, uniqueness and meaning as a natural stone that was formed over billions of years deep in the earth.

Why do lab diamonds look fake? ›

It is grown in a controlled environment using technology that replicates that natural diamond process. Lab-grown diamonds look the same as natural diamonds. The only difference is their origin. Since lab-grown diamonds are essentially the same as natural diamonds, they have the same properties, such as hardness.

Will lab-grown diamonds hold their value over time? ›

Unlike natural diamonds mined from the earth, lab diamonds won't usually gain value. In fact, in recent years, their value hasn't kept up with inflation, mostly due to the increased availability of lab-grown gemstones. So, to put it simply: a lab-grown diamond isn't going to bring much, if any, return on investment.

Can you insure a lab-grown diamond? ›

A lab-grown diamond has the same properties and brilliance as an earth-mined diamond, hence, they can be insured.

Do lab grown diamonds show up on xray? ›

X-Ray Test: Have the diamond X-rayed if it's possible. Natural diamonds will not show up on an x-ray, but synthetic ones will. Diamond Weight: Synthetic diamonds are almost always heavier than natural diamonds (as long as the dimensions are the same or very similar).

Can a real diamond fail a diamond tester? ›

Diamond testers are always accurate. However, the thermal diamond testers can be faulty when testing moissanite because it has a similar heat conductivity rate to natural diamonds. The other testers will work because moissanite has different electrical conductivity rates than natural diamonds.

What is the best fake diamond to buy? ›

Moissanite Arguably the best faux diamond in existence, moissanite comprises silicon carbide, which means it is almost of the same hardness as a natural diamond. It also has reasonable colorlessness, although the glow is far more colorful than what you would see in a real diamond.

Does hand sanitizer make diamonds cloudy? ›

Hand sanitizer is also known to leave a cloudy film over your diamonds so definitely wash your ring frequently! Luckily, you don't have to take off your ring while you're washing your hands-which is a big plus right now as we are all washing our hands extra often these days.

What stone is closest to a diamond? ›

Moissanites or white sapphires are most comparable to a diamond. While there are visible differences, these gems will look the closest to a diamond while offering a more affordable price. These stones are also high on the Mohs scale of relative hardness, making them suitable for everyday wear.

Where does diamond Nexus ship from? ›

Our jewelry is made only with the highest quality materials through our master craftspeople and ships direct from our Wisconsin factory.

Does diamond Nexus sell moissanite? ›

Our moissanites are available in a variety of carat weights and are much more affordable than a mined diamond. They generally cost about $700 per carat.

Why are black diamonds so cheap? ›

Black diamonds, however are more affordable than other white or coloured diamonds, in large due to the fact that they are less in demand. They are also completely opaque and cannot be graded according to their colour intensity as they are only found naturally in one colour – fancy black.

Is VS1 or VS2 better? ›

A VS1 diamond has slightly fewer and smaller inclusions than a VS2 diamond. In other words, a VS1 diamond is slightly better than a VS2 diamond.

What is the cheapest type of diamond? ›

Radiant are square or rectangular brilliant-cut diamonds with cut corners. They are often the most affordable diamond shapes.

What's better VVS or VS1? ›

Between VVS and VS1, VVS diamonds are the best because of the less amount inclusions than VS1 diamonds. Due to less inclusions appearance it makes sense to choose a VVS diamond than a VS1. In VVS Diamonds, the inclusions identified with the 10x loupe, but it available in less amount to doesn't affect the appearance.

What is Nexus Diamond made of? ›

Made of a proprietary formula and patented coating, the Nexus Diamond sits at a 9.1, with only moissanite and a pure carbon diamond being harder at 9.25 and 10, respectively.

What is the closest fake diamond to a real diamond? ›

Currently, lab-made cubic zirconia (CZ) is the most popular diamond lookalike. At a fraction of the price, it can rival diamond in brilliance (the light it reflects) and dispersion or fire (the colorful flashes that seem to come from within the stone).

What is the realest fake diamond? ›

Moissanite is the best choice in colorless gemstones, even better than diamonds. If you aren't already familiar, moissanite is a lab-created, eco-friendly, genuine precious gemstone all it's own. Moissanite is actually a naturally occurring mineral, but it is so rare on earth that it can't be mined.

What are the top fake diamonds? ›

Among the most popular synthetic simulants are rhinestone, cubic zirconia (CZ), moissanite, white sapphire, spinel, rutile, strontium titanate, YAG (yttrium aluminium garnet) and GGG (gadolinium gallium garnet). Natural diamond alternatives include quartz, zircon and topaz.

What is the price of Nexus Diamond Black? ›

MRP : Rs. 12990/- | Special Offer Price for Delhi: Rs. 6,490/-

What fake diamond sparkles the most? ›

To the trained eye, Moissanite sparkles with additional brilliance compared to a diamond. Moissanites provide one of the least expensive, durable alternatives to diamonds. Furthermore, their low cost makes them an attractive option for engagement ring buyers.

Will moissanite pass a diamond tester? ›

Unlike faux diamonds and other gemstones, moissanite is also an effective conductor of heat. For this reason, when using a diamond tester that detects thermal conductivity, moissanite will pass as a diamond.

Do fake diamonds have value? ›

But, while high-quality natural diamonds tend to retain their value quite well, lab diamonds are less predictable. Physically and optically identical to natural diamonds, lab-grown diamonds do not have a finite supply. Therefore, they don't offer the same type of resale value as a natural diamond.

What are cheap fake diamonds called? ›

Simulated diamonds are also known as diamond simulants and include things like cubic zirconia (CZ), moissanite, and YAG. They can also include some natural clear gemstones like white sapphire, white zircon or even clear quartz.

Is moissanite considered fake? ›

The truth is that moissanite is not a synthetic diamond or the often dreaded cubic zirconia, it's a totally separate gemstone that is naturally occurring, though extremely rare and found in meteorites. Because of its beauty and durability, it's one of the few gemstones that's incredibly well suited to fine jewelry.

Do fake diamonds sparkle more? ›

Light affects the way a stone sparkles, whether manufactured or genuine. However, synthetic stones can only imitate the brilliance of a genuine diamond. Diamonds reflect light in a way that is unique.

What is the No 1 diamond quality? ›

Flawless is the top grade in the GIA Clarity Grading System. Diamonds graded Flawless don't have visible inclusions or blemishes when examined under 10-power (10X) magnification by a skilled and experienced grader.

Does Jared Jewelers sell fake diamonds? ›

Jared's lab-created diamonds are graded to the same standards as our natural diamonds. That means your lab-created diamond will be accompanied by an independent laboratory report detailing its “4 Cs” - cut, color, clarity, and carat weight.

Which fake diamonds sink in water? ›

Diamonds are dense and will sink quickly, while certain imitations will sink more slowly. If your gem doesn't immediately sink to the bottom, it's likely a glass or quartz imitation. However, other imitations, including cubic zirconia, will also sink quickly.

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