Princess Cut Diamonds: Sharp, Modern, and Good Value
A princess cut diamond is a square stone with sharp corners and bright, brilliant sparkle. It is the classic modern square: crisp, geometric, and usually cheaper per carat than a round because cutting one wastes less of the rough crystal. If you like a clean square outline but still want fire and flash, the princess cut is the shape to look at.
We set a lot of princess cuts at our Coquitlam bench. It reads sharp and contemporary next to the softer round or cushion, and it suits people who want their ring to look a little architectural. Here is how it works and what to watch for.
What a princess cut is
The princess is a square, brilliant-cut diamond. Brilliant faceting means its facets are cut to bounce light back in bright flashes, the same family as the round and the pear, not the calm step-cut look of an emerald or asscher. So it sparkles well and, helpfully, that sparkle hides small inclusions better than an open step cut does. If you want to compare it against the glassy step cuts, see our emerald cut guide.
Because the sparkle masks a lot, you can usually drop a grade or two on clarity and still have an eye-clean stone, which stretches a budget. Clarity is graded by the GIA on an eleven-point scale from Flawless to I3, and on a princess cut an SI1 often looks clean to the eye. As always, cut quality drives beauty most, which the American Gem Society puts ahead of the other factors.
The corners are the weak point
A princess cut has four pointed corners, and pointed corners chip. Diamond is the hardest natural material, a 10 on the Mohs scale, as the GIA describes, but hardness is not the same as toughness. A sharp corner can still fracture from a hard knock. The fix is simple: the setting must cover all four corners with prongs. A well-made princess ring tucks each corner under metal so nothing catches. Never wear one with exposed corners.
This is a setting decision more than a stone decision. Our settings guide covers prong and bezel options, and if your hands take a beating at work or the gym, the active-lifestyle setting guide is worth a read.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Outline | Square, sharp corners |
| Cut style | Brilliant, bright sparkle |
| Hides inclusions? | Fairly well, better than step cuts |
| Clarity that often works | SI1 can be eye-clean |
| Price per carat | Usually lower than a round |
| Setting need | Prongs must cover all four corners |
Why it can be good value
When a cutter shapes a round brilliant, a lot of the rough crystal gets ground away. A princess cut keeps much more of the original crystal, so less is wasted and the price per carat comes down. Pair that with a square shape that looks substantial on the hand and you get a lot of visible stone for the money. It does tend to look a touch smaller face-up than a round of the same carat, because more of its weight sits in the depth, so compare stones side by side rather than by carat number alone. Our guide to why two 1-carat diamonds can look different sizes explains that trap.
Who a princess cut suits
It suits clean, modern taste. It looks great as a plain solitaire, in a channel-set band with square accent stones, or in a halo that softens the corners. It pairs neatly with a straight wedding band because the square sits flush against a flat band. If your style is more vintage or romantic, a cushion or oval may suit you better, but for sharp and current, the princess is hard to beat.
Key Takeaways
- A princess cut is a square, brilliant-cut diamond with bright sparkle and a modern, geometric look.
- Its sparkle hides inclusions well, so a lower clarity grade like SI1 can still look eye-clean.
- The four sharp corners can chip, so the setting must cover every corner with prongs.
- It usually costs less per carat than a round, though it can look slightly smaller face-up.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are princess cut diamonds cheaper than round?
Usually, yes. A princess cut keeps more of the rough diamond crystal than a round does, so less material is wasted and the price per carat is generally lower. For the same budget you can often get a larger princess cut than round brilliant, which is a big part of its appeal.
Do princess cut diamonds chip easily?
Only at the corners, and a good setting prevents it. The stone is a 10 on the Mohs hardness scale, but the sharp pointed corners can fracture from a hard knock. A setting that covers all four corners with prongs protects them, and then a princess cut wears well day to day.
What clarity should I choose for a princess cut?
Often SI1 is enough. The brilliant faceting scatters light and hides small inclusions, so you do not need to pay for a high clarity grade the way you would with an open step cut. Check the individual stone is eye-clean, ideally in person or on video, before you buy.
Is a princess cut still in style?
Yes. It is a modern classic and one of the more popular square shapes. It looks crisp and contemporary, pairs cleanly with a straight wedding band, and works in solitaire, halo, and channel settings. Style is personal, so choose it because you like the square look, not because of trend.
Sources
- GIA — The 4Cs of Diamond Quality (cut and clarity grading)
- GIA — Diamond Description (hardness and properties)
- American Gem Society — Diamond Cut
Data sourced 19 July 2026. If you spot something out of date, tell us and we will update the guide.
Visit Vanhess
We are a family-run studio at 2929 Barnet Highway, Unit 2424 in Coquitlam, with an on-site goldsmith and over a thousand of our own designs. Come see a princess cut in daylight and check how the corners sit in a setting, or call us at +1 (604) 653-6449. Browse our engagement rings to start.
