Will the corners of a princess cut diamond chip easily?

Princess cut corners are the most chip-prone area of any standard diamond shape because the sharp points lack the structural reinforcement of rounded edges. However, with a properly designed setting using V-prongs or bezel tips, the corners are well protected and perfectly safe for daily wear.

What is the difference between a princess cut and a cushion cut?

Both are roughly square, but the princess has sharp, angular corners and a more geometric appearance, while the cushion has rounded corners and a softer, pillow-like silhouette. The princess also tends to have more complex brilliant faceting and higher light return, while cushions show broader, more romantic flashes of light.

How does a princess cut compare to a round brilliant in terms of sparkle?

A well-cut princess delivers sparkle that closely approaches a round brilliant's performance. It won't quite match the round's optimised light return (the round has been perfected over a century of optical research), but the difference is subtle. Many buyers find the princess equally, if not more, visually exciting due to its unique cross-shaped light pattern.

Diamond Shape Guide

Princess Diamond

Learn about princess cut lab-grown diamonds for engagement rings. Aurela Diamonds' expert guide covers ideal proportions, corner protection, and why this square shape is a brilliant choice.

The princess cut is the most popular square diamond shape for engagement rings, and it earns that distinction through a combination of bold geometry and intense brilliance. Its sharp, uncut corners and pyramidal profile give it a contemporary, architectural feel, while its brilliant-style faceting, typically 57 or 76 facets depending on the number of chevron patterns, delivers a level of sparkle that rivals the round brilliant. The princess is the shape for buyers who want something modern and decisive without sacrificing light performance.

One of the princess cut's most appealing qualities is its efficient use of rough diamond crystal. Because the princess cut closely follows the natural octahedral shape of a diamond crystal, less material is wasted during cutting compared to a round brilliant. This translates directly into a lower price per carat, making the princess an outstanding value proposition. You get bold sparkle, a distinctive square footprint, and a more accessible price point, a combination that has kept the princess among the top three most popular shapes for decades.

At Aurela Diamonds, we carry IGI-certified lab-grown princess cuts that meet our strict standards for symmetry, light performance, and structural integrity. Because the princess's sharp corners require thoughtful setting design, we advise our clients on protective prong configurations and setting styles that keep those corners safe while showcasing the shape's angular beauty.

History of the Princess Cut

The princess cut as we know it today was developed in 1980 by Betzalel Ambar and Israel Itzkowitz, who refined earlier square brilliant concepts into a commercially viable shape with optimised light performance. Their design built on the work of Arpad Nagy, who created the "profile cut" in 1961, and Basil Watermeyer, who developed the "Barion cut" in 1971. Each iteration improved on the previous one's ability to combine a square outline with brilliant-cut sparkle.

The princess quickly captured market share after its introduction, becoming the second most popular engagement ring shape by the 1990s. Its appeal lay in offering something that no other shape could: the clean, modern geometry of a square with the light performance of a brilliant. While the round remained dominant, the princess carved out a permanent niche among buyers who wanted a contemporary alternative. The shape's name, chosen for its marketability, certainly did not hurt its popularity either.

Pros & Cons

+Advantages

Bold, modern square silhouette with brilliant-cut sparkle that rivals round diamonds
Hides inclusions well due to its complex brilliant faceting
Makes a strong geometric statement on the hand

-Considerations

If someone wants a longer, finger-elongating look, princess cuts appear more square and compact.
Deeper depth percentage means a princess can face up smaller than other shapes at the same carat weight
Colour is slightly more visible than in round brilliants, particularly in the corners

Explore Other Diamond Shapes

Compare different shapes to find the perfect match for your style.

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