Diamond Shapes
Princess Diamonds
The Basics
Enthusiasts seeking something distinctive often admire the strong yet soft quality of the princess cut diamond. Characterized by a pyramidal shape, pointed corners, four beveled sides, and angular lines, this cut exudes a contemporary and chic appearance. Representing a notable 30% of engagement rings sold today, the princess cut is the second most popular choice.
Features
The princess cut stands out with its geometric square shape, offering impressive fire comparable to round or cushion cut diamonds. Among geometric square cuts, the princess cut takes the lead in brilliance. With up to 76 facets, the four-cut chevron pattern generates high scintillation, resulting in a captivating 'crushed light' appearance. The efficiency in production, wasting only around 10-20% of the rough stone, contributes to slightly lower end prices. The four-cut chevron pattern is an excellent choice for those preferring a less-linear light dispersion, explaining the growing popularity of princess cut diamond engagement rings.
Historical Background
The highly popular princess cut diamond, originated by Betazel Ambar and Israel Itzkowitz in 1980, had its design in development for several years, with roots in the French cut. Initially marketed under the brand 'Quadrillion' and distributed by Ambar Diamonds in Los Angeles, the princess cut has continued to thrive, and Ambar is still active in the industry today.
Featured collection
Princess Cut Engagement Rings
FAQ's
Google's most common questions about a princess diamonds.
Answered by our expert.
Princess cut diamonds present a square appearance from the face-up view but are shaped like inverted pyramids with two to four chevron patterns on the underside. They hold the position as the second most sought-after diamond in engagement rings, trailing only behind round brilliant cut diamonds.
While the Round Brilliant is technically optimized for maximum light reflection, the Princess Cut comes very close and is an excellent choice for those seeking the ultimate sparkler. It's perfect for individuals who desire the fire of a Round Brilliant in a less conventional form.
Princess cut diamonds are generally less expensive than round-cut diamonds of equivalent quality but can be pricier than other fancy-cut diamonds. The high demand and greater rough requirement for well-cut round-cut diamonds contribute to them being the most expensive cut by a significant margin.
Princess cut diamonds feature a square shape with a brilliant facet structure, ensuring abundant sparkle. The sharp-lined and angular shape is a favored choice for engagement rings, offering a contemporary appearance along with exceptional brilliance.
When considering princess cut diamonds, here's what to look for:
1. Shape: Opt for a square princess cut with a length-to-width ratio not exceeding 1.05:1.
2. Symmetry: Ensure the facets' symmetry contributes to the overall beauty of the cut.
3. Scintillation: Look for a balanced contrast of light and dark patterns in the table and facets for optimal scintillation.