The Modern Allure of Princess Cut Diamonds
Are you looking for a dramatic and sophisticated diamond? The princess cut offers a modern yet classic style that appeals to many people. Though not as popular as the round diamond, this square-shaped stone is one of the most scintillating and fiery cuts on the market.
Whether you're looking to buy the perfect engagement ring to give your partner or you want to find a beautiful pair of diamond earrings, princess cut diamonds offer a modern look that doesn't skimp on beauty or boldness. If you're interested in purchasing a princess cut diamond, we'll go over all the details you should know about the cut design. We'll also include the history of the cut and popular settings you might consider for a ring.
What Is the Princess Cut?
The princess cut is known for its bold, square shape. It's also known for displaying some of the same fire and scintillation as the round diamond. Its facets (totaling 57 or 76) are cut similarly to round diamonds.
The unique pyramid shape, combined with a large number of facets, makes it the most brilliant square-shaped diamond cut. Because of the light dispersion within the diamond, inclusions will not be easily visible. Since an observer will not be able to see inclusions in this type of design, cutters can use about 80% of the rough diamond.
So although it has a lot of the same brilliance and fire as a round diamond, the princess cut costs a lot less because there is less rough diamond waste. If you like the look of round diamonds but are on a budget, you might want to consider a princess cut, as you'll still get the elegant and modern appearance common to round diamonds at a lower price.
What Is the History of Princess Cut Diamonds?
Compared to other diamond cuts, the princess cut is a relatively new style. Its origins can be traced back to England in the 1960s when diamond cutter Arpad Nagy created the profile cut (though it was also called the princess cut at the time). The profile cut is a square-cut diamond with a flat top and 58 facets.
In the 1970s, Basil Watermeyer patented the Barion cut, which was similar to the profile/princess cut. However, this design was too impractical. Many cutters found the style too challenging to create consistently because of the Barion's symmetrical lines. It has 81 facets that show a cross pattern in the table. Though the Barion cut has not remained popular, it's one of the forerunners for the princess cut, as it's known today.
What Settings Look Best Paired With a Princess Cut?
The princess cut has a clean and elegant appearance, which makes it compatible with a variety of different settings. However, since the princess cut has four distinct corners, you'll need to opt for a four-claw setting. If you don't protect the corners, you could risk chipping or otherwise damaging the diamond. So it's important that whatever setting you choose for your princess-cut diamond, it's fully protected.
Solitaire
If you're looking for an engagement ring, the classic solitaire setting is a simple and elegant choice. Because the princess cut is beautiful and eye-catching, you won't need any other gemstones to create sparkle or brilliance. For this option, you may want to prioritize the stone's size, as it will be the only diamond on the band.
Halo Setting
If you're looking to create more brilliance on a budget, then you might consider the halo setting. With this glamorous option, you'll have smaller diamonds framing the center stone. This framing creates the illusion that the center stone is larger than it actually is. Going with this setting is generally cheaper than picking a larger center stone, as small diamonds cost significantly less than larger center stones.
Pave Setting
If you're looking to add more brilliance but prefer a simple, clean look then you should consider the pave setting. This setting has been around for hundreds of years. It remains popular today due to its elegant and refined design that looks great with a variety of different stone shapes.
The princess cut pairs particularly well with the pave setting if you're after a modern and elegant look.
Bezel Setting
For a bold, modern look, you may want to consider the bezel setting. With this option, the princess-cut diamond will be protected on all sides. The bezel setting is unique as a thin metal wall surrounds the diamond on all sides. Since the princess-cut diamond has four sharp corners, the bezel setting will protect it from any scratches or nicks that could happen.
When Should You Give a Princess-Cut Diamond?
Princess-cut diamonds are most notably given as part of an engagement ring. Because of their eye-catching fire and overall beauty, they are a popular choice among couples. However, this diamond cut is also great for other types of jewelry as well. You can often find princess-cut diamonds in stud earrings, bracelets, and necklaces. So, if you're looking for a gift for any type of important occasion, princess-cut diamonds are a versatile and beautiful option.
Though princess-cut diamonds are relatively new compared to other types of diamond cuts, they are popular because of their beauty and fire. Additionally, they use less rough diamond waste, so you're likely to find a better deal on this cut than round diamonds. Whether you're looking for an engagement ring or another type of jewelry, princess cut diamonds are an excellent choice as long as you choose a protective setting. We have a selection of princess-cut diamonds as well as other cuts available if you're interested in creating a customized diamond ring.