Top Tips For Buying A Princess Cut Diamond

The princess cut diamond, also known as the princess shaped diamond, was originally created in the 1980s by jewelers Betzalel Ambar and Israel Itzkowitz as an alternative to the classic round cut diamond.

The princess shaped diamond was inspired by the early “French” cut diamond. It features a series of chevron facets in the diamond’s sides which create a distinct cross pattern when the stone is viewed from the top.

If you’re looking to buy a princess diamond engagement ring or you just want to learn more about princess shaped diamonds, read on for answers to Ritani’s frequently asked questions about this sparkling diamond shape. 

What is a princess cut diamond? What is a princess cut ring?

The princess diamond has a square silhouette with sharp corners, creating modern lines and stunning sparkle. The princess diamond must have a length-to-width ratio between 1.00 and 1.05 in order to maintain a perfect square shape.

Do princess cut diamonds look larger than round cut diamonds?

Yes: Due to the size of the top of the diamond (the table) and the fact that the bottom half of the diamond (the pavilion) is smaller, a 1-carat princess diamond will look bigger than a 1 carat round diamond.

Are princess cut diamonds more sparkly than other shapes? 

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Although the princess diamond looks bigger than the round diamond, it typically has a bit less sparkle. The princess diamond’s table is larger than the round diamond’s table, so it catches more light — but since its pavilion is smaller than a round diamond’s pavilion, the light doesn’t refract as much. Therefore the princess diamond loses some of the sparkle that a round diamond retains. 

How many facets does a princess cut diamond have?

A typical princess diamond has 58 facets (the same as a round diamond has). The number of chevrons on its lower half can affect the overall look of a princess diamond.

Are princess cut diamonds less expensive than round diamonds?

Yes, carat for carat, princess diamonds are more affordable than round diamonds. You’ll get more bang for your buck with a princess cut diamond because diamond artisans are able to use about 80% of the diamond rough to create a princess shaped diamond, whereas they can only use about 50% of the diamond rough to create a round shaped diamond. In other words, it’s more cost-effective for them to create princess diamonds, which ends up saving you money, too.

How much does a 1-carat princess diamond cost?

A 1-carat princess diamond can range anywhere from $1,000 to $8,000, depending on its cut, color, and clarity grades. You can explore our inventory of 1-carat princess diamonds to get a better sense for pricing.

As with any other diamond shape, the cut grade is the most important quality factor, so look for princess-shaped diamonds that are GIA or AGS certified and have a Good or Very Good cut grade.

How popular are princess cut diamonds?

The princess diamond is one of the most popular fancy shape diamonds. About 30% of diamonds sold are princess cut diamonds.

What is a good quality princess cut diamond?

For the most beautiful princess-shaped diamond, look for an Ideal cut grade with excellent symmetry and polish (you can find these details on a diamond’s grading certificate). Princess diamonds with these qualities have more brilliance, fire and sparkle than any other princess diamond. They’re also much more expensive. Most Ritani customers who buy princess diamonds opt for a Very Good cut grade, since these diamonds are still quite brilliant yet are a bit more affordable than the rare Ideal cuts.

How do I buy a princess cut diamond?

As with all diamonds, personal taste should be your deciding factor above all else. That said, here are a few guidelines to help you make an informed decision and find a great quality princess diamond.

​The 4 Cs for princess cut diamonds:

• Cut grade: Cut is the most crucial of the 4 Cs in determining any diamond’s sparkle. But unlike round diamonds, there’s no industry-wide consensus that defines the cut grades of a princess diamond, so we recommend seeing a princess diamond in person before buying to make sure it has enough sparkle for you. Princess diamonds with an “Ideal” cut grade are the holy grail of sparkle and are very hard to find; if you’re lucky enough to find one within your budget, that’s the one to buy. Most princess-shaped diamonds on Ritani.com have Very Good or Good cut grades.
• 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. Be sure to check the inclusion report to make sure there are no inclusions on the corners. As far as grading, go for VS2 or SI1 clarity diamonds that are confirmed to be eye-clean.
• Carat weight: Measurements can vary quite a bit from one carat weight to the next. Focus on finding a diamond with the right measurements (length x width) within the carat weight range you desire.

Other tips to consider when buying a princess cut diamond (remember, you can find all these details on a diamond’s grading report):

• Look for a Total Depth between 65% and 75% for the best balance of brilliance to size.
• For Table Percentage, stay under 75%.
• Any length-to-width ratio of 1.05 or less will appear square to the unaided eye.
• Some princess cut diamonds are cut into more rectangular shapes, which can actually save you money — but it’s all about finding what is most pleasing to you.

A princess-cut diamond is a beautiful choice, especially for the bride that has a clean-cut, modern style. If you’re ready to shop for a princess-cut diamond engagement ring, let’s get started!  

Learn more about Princess-Cut Diamonds here:

Round Cut Diamond VS Princess Cut Diamond

Explore Ritani’s Princess Cut Diamond Inventory