Beloved for crisp, clean lines and brilliant sparkle, princess cut engagement rings have become a true icon in modern bridal jewelry. The style is defined by its square silhouette and radiant fire, offering a stunning alternative to classic round styles while maintaining timeless elegance. Whether set in a simple solitaire setting or framed by intricate detailing, the princess cut diamond is designed to wow from every angle.
What Is a Princess Cut Engagement Ring?
A princess cut engagement ring is defined by a square or slightly rectangular diamond or other gemstone. Developed in the 1980s, the princess cut stone has quickly become one of the most popular shapes, thanks to its remarkable brilliance. With clean lines and a contemporary feel, it’s a perfect choice for those who love a timeless engagement ring with a modern twist.
Princess Cut vs. Round Cut Engagement Rings
Although they offer similar sparkle, there are a few main differences between princess and round cut stones. Round cut diamond engagement rings offer sparkle and soft curves, while princess cuts deliver a sharper, more architectural look.
Both are gorgeous in their own way, but the princess cut tends to show slightly more sparkle due to its faceting pattern. Princess cuts also appear larger for their carat weight because of their square outline, making them an excellent choice for maximizing visual impact.
Why is the Princess Cut Popular for Engagement Rings?
Princess cut stones are beloved for their blend of brilliance and bold shape. They offer the sparkle brides love paired with a distinctive, modern design that stands out compared to more traditional options. The cut’s versatility also makes it ideal for a range of settings, from sleek solitaires to ornate, vintage-inspired styles.
What are the Benefits of Choosing a Princess Cut Engagement Ring?
- Exceptional brilliance with a striking geometric outline
- Versatile look that complements modern, classic, and vintage designs
- Lower per-carat cost than round diamonds
- Ideal for custom designs, thanks to its symmetrical and structured form
Why are Princess Cut Diamonds a Great Value?
Each gem is cut and shaped from a rough stone. Princess cuts use more of the original rough gemstone than other finished shapes, resulting in less waste during cutting. This efficiency often makes them more affordable without compromising beauty or brilliance. For those seeking maximum sparkle per carat, the princess cut delivers exceptional value along with beautiful sparkle and elegance.
Considerations for Choosing the Best Princess Cut Engagement Ring:
- Shape and quality: Look for even symmetry, sharp corners, and a clean outline
- Cut and setting: Prioritize the quality of the cut to ensure optimal brilliance, then explore settings that protect the stone while highlighting its shape
- Daily life: Consider your personal style as well as your extracurricular activities to select a design that fits both your look and activity level
Understanding Carat, Color, and Clarity for Princess Cut Diamonds
Carat: Princess cut diamonds tend to carry more of their weight in the depth of the stone rather than across the surface. This means that a princess cut may appear slightly smaller when viewed from above compared to a round diamond of the same carat weight. However, the square shape and sharp corners of princess cuts create a bold, commanding look that often appears larger than other shapes with similar carat weights.
Color: The faceting pattern and depth of princess cuts can concentrate warmth within the stone, making them show color a bit more visibly than round diamonds. To ensure a bright, white look, it’s best to choose a diamond in the G–H color range or higher. These grades offer an excellent balance of beauty and value while maintaining the bright, sparkling appearance you’re looking for.
Clarity: The faceting of a princess cut helps disguise slight imperfections, making this cut more forgiving than step-cut shapes like emerald or Asscher cuts. However, because the corners are pointed and light reflects differently in square shapes, inclusions near the edges can be easier to spot in princess cut gems. Look for VS2 clarity or better, which typically ensures that inclusions or imperfections are invisible to the naked eye.
What are the 3 Best Settings for Princess Cut Engagement Rings?
- Four-prong settings with V-tips to protect the corners
- Channel-set bands for a sleek, contemporary feel
- Halo settings that enhance size and brilliance
What are the Most Popular Princess Cut Engagement Ring Styles?
- Solitaires: A top choice for their elegance and class
- Halo and side-stone: Offer added sparkle and weight
- Vintage-inspired designs: Unique, heirloom-quality appeal has increased the popularity of these styles
3 Best Princess Cut Engagement Ring Styles
- Solitaire Princess Cut Rings: Minimalist and timeless, a solitaire setting places the diamond center stage. The clean lines of the princess cut shine in a simple band, perfect for the bride who values understated elegance.
- Halo Princess Cut Engagement Rings: A halo of smaller diamonds enhances the brilliance of the center stone and makes it appear larger. This style adds glamour and dimension, ideal for someone drawn to bold sparkle.
- Princess Cut Engagement Rings with Side Stones: Channel-set or prong-set side stones provide extra sparkle and symmetry. This design adds visual impact while maintaining a balanced, refined look.
Vintage-Style Princess Cut Designs
Vintage-inspired designs pair the modern silhouette of the princess cut with intricate details like milgrain, filigree, and engraved bands. The results are romantic pieces that bring together modern shapes with timeless charm.
Common Metals Used in Princess Cut Engagement Rings
- White Gold Princess Cut Engagement Rings: White gold offers a cool, modern look that enhances the diamond’s brilliance. It’s a popular and versatile choice for both classic and contemporary settings.
- Platinum Princess Cut Rings: Loved for its durability and naturally white color, platinum is a great choice for securing the sharp corners of a princess cut. It also requires minimal maintenance.
- Yellow Gold and Rose Gold: Yellow and rose gold create a warm, romantic contrast with the silhouette of a princess cut. These metals are perfect for those seeking a vintage or contemporary-romantic aesthetic.
How Much Do Princess Cut Engagement Rings Cost?
Prices vary depending on carat weight, color, clarity, cut quality, and metal type. On average, princess cut engagement rings can cost less than similar rings with round gemstones, making them a popular choice for maximizing budget without compromising brilliance.
What Affects the Price of a Princess Cut Diamond?
- Carat weight
- Cut quality and symmetry
- Color and clarity grades
- Diamond certification
- Setting style and metal choice
How to Get the Best Value Princess Cut Diamond for Your Budget
To get the most for your budget, focus on cut and symmetry first, as they have the biggest influence on brilliance. Select a diamond just below key carat markers, such as 0.90 instead of 1.0 or 1.90 instead of 2.0, for better pricing. Choose G-H color and VS2 clarity for a balance of quality and value.
Princess Cut Diamond Certification & Quality Tips
Always choose diamonds certified by respected laboratories such as the Gemological Institute of America (GIA). These reports verify the diamond’s authenticity and quality. Look for excellent or very good polish and symmetry to ensure maximum light reflection and sparkle.
Dos and Don’ts of Princess Cut Engagement Rings
Do:
- Protect the corners with V-prongs, bezel styles, or a secure setting
- Prioritize cut quality over other Cs
- Store your ring safely when you’re not wearing it
- Schedule regular inspections and cleanings
Don’t:
- Choose a setting with exposed corners
- Wear your ring during strenuous activities or contact sports
- Rely solely on carat weight for appearance
How to Care for a Princess Cut Engagement Ring
All jewelry needs regular cleanings, and a princess cut engagement ring is no different. Keep your ring sparkling with weekly cleanings, and be sure to invest in a jewelry box or other type of storage container that separates your ring from other pieces of jewelry when you’re not wearing it to help prevent scratches and other damage. In addition to maintenance, don’t ignore scheduling visits back to your jeweler for professional cleanings and inspections.
Cleaning Tips to Maximize Sparkle in Your Princess Cut Diamond
Although there’s no substitute for a deep cleaning by a professional, it’s easy to do your part at home to keep your ring looking sparkling.
- Use warm water, mild soap, and a soft brush to clean your ring once a week to remove dirt and oils
- Avoid exposing your ring to harsh chemicals or other cleaners without first consulting your jeweler
- Remove your ring before applying lotion or perfume
How to Protect the Sharp Corners of a Princess Cut Diamond
Because princess cuts have pointed corners, proper protection is essential. Settings with V-prongs or bezel-style accents are best for princess cut engagement rings because they help protect the corners from chips while maintaining a sleek, elegant look.
Are Princess Cut Engagement Rings Trendy?
Princess cut engagement rings are blossoming in popularity, and the designs of today are beloved for their ability to blend timeless sparkle with bold, contemporary designs. Although the clean, geometric shape of the princess cut is one of the things most loved about it, modern brides are branching out towards unexpected details, unique settings, and bold personalization. New and exciting trends highlight ways to make the classic shape feel new again.
Top Princess Cut Engagement Ring Trends:
- Minimalist solitaires with floating settings or ultra-thin bands
- Hidden halos for subtle sparkle beneath the stone without changing the signature shape
- Double halos and pave-focused designs for glamorous, light-catching brilliance that surrounds the center stone
- Mixed metals that create contrast and highlight the stunning geometric shape of the stones
- Custom-cut side stones to highlight the princess cut gemstone in the center
- Personalization, including engraved messages and unique prong settings
Are There Modern Takes on the Classic Princess Cut?
Although the traditional princess cut engagement ring remains a timeless classic, jewelers are creating fresh, modern interpretations that add a contemporary twist while highlighting the cut’s signature sparkle. There are plenty of fun, fresh takes on the style.
5 Modern Princess Cut Diamond Ring Styles:
- Elongated princess cut: A subtle shift in proportions makes this cut slightly more rectangular rather than square, giving the stone a sleeker, more modern profile. This variant makes the finger look longer while maintaining the crisp facets that define the princess cut.
- Princess cut hybrids: Some modern stones combine the brilliance of a classic princess cut with step-cut elements found in emerald or Asscher cuts. These hybrids produce a unique balance of sparkle and depth, creating a more architectural look.
- Beveled princess cuts: Softly beveled or clipped corners enhance durability and give the stone a refined geometric appearance. This creates a safer stone for everyday wear without losing the sharp, modern lines of the original.
- Fancy shapes: Thanks to advanced cutting techniques, gem cutters can now integrate rounded or radiant-style facets into the traditional princess outline. Stones such as princess hearts and princess radiants have a more fluid sparkle, blending the brilliance of a radiant cut with the symmetry of a princess.
- Alternate materials: Colored diamonds and other gemstones are now available in princess cuts, offering additional color choices while maintaining the geometric shape we love.
Is a Princess Cut Engagement Ring Right for You?
A princess cut engagement ring can be an incredible choice—but whether it’s right for you depends on your personal style, lifestyle, and what you value most in a diamond. The sharp, geometric shape of the princess cut offers a contemporary alternative to the classic round diamond, delivering impressive brilliance. Because it uses more of the rough diamond than a round cut, it can also offer better value per carat, perfect if you want a dazzling stone without going over budget.
A princess cut ring may be right for you if you:
- You love modern, geometric elegance
- You want lots of sparkle for the price
- You prefer square shapes
- You enjoy rings that feel bold yet timeless
- You don’t mind choosing a setting that protects the diamond’s corners
The princess cut engagement ring perfectly combines timeless elegance with modern sophistication. Its clean, geometric lines and brilliant sparkle make it a standout choice for brides who want a bold yet versatile ring. From classic solitaires to halo, vintage-inspired, or contemporary settings, the princess cut adapts beautifully to a wide range of personal styles.
Beyond its striking appearance, the princess cut offers excellent value, a larger face-up look, and the ability to highlight a variety of metals and settings. With proper care and protective settings for its pointed corners, a princess cut engagement ring can shine brilliantly for a lifetime, making it a lasting symbol of love and style.
